Early Saturday morning, I set out to attend a Bible study group of a youth fellowship at a church in Xi’an. This group is specifically designed for Gen-Z young people; some have just graduated from university, while others are already working.
Today’s world is filled with secular influences and rapid technological advancements, and these young people often face diverse challenges and confusion in life. It has become important to find direction through faith and apply God’s Word in their lives. The weekly meetings provide a platform for sharing and fellowship.
The Bible study began with a young believer leading the group in singing hymns. She is a professional music teacher with years of teaching experience. She first guided us through some vocal exercises. Rather than diving into dry music theory, her practical advice was easy to grasp, and soon each person had picked up the vocal techniques. Then, together, we sang the hymn “Lord, I Invite You.”
After the worship, a young minister from the church shared a sermon titled “Secrets to Effective Prayer.” She began by talking about the importance of confession and repentance. Sin, she explained, stood like a stone wall separating us from God, causing Him to turn His face away from us. After sinning, people tend to hide and distance themselves from God. If we don’t confess and repent, we should carry the heavy burden of our sins, keeping our true freedom locked away. The minister further emphasized, “Everything is exposed before God; He knows all our thoughts and intentions. We need to turn back to Him, seeking His forgiveness and acceptance.”
She continued, “It’s also important to spend time alone with God, to communicate with Him, and to build intimacy with Him in prayer.” She highlighted the need for a reverent attitude in prayer, as God wants us to pour out our hearts before Him and approach Him humbly. Finally, she encouraged every believer to forgive others, reminding us that our Heavenly Father has forgiven us, and that forgiveness is essential for our own freedom and release.
After the pastor’s message, two enthusiastic sisters brought out a box filled with a variety of snacks—candies, yogurt, cookies—all sorts of treats to share. The atmosphere was relaxed, open, and sincere as each person chatted over snacks, sharing insights from the sermon and discussing challenges they had faced during the past week. Topics included relationships, interpersonal issues, selfishness, and daily habits. Each person offered their perspectives and experiences, and the pastor provided valuable advice and guidance grounded in biblical teachings and personal experience. The gathering continued until around 1:00 PM.
Afterward, I spoke with the group leader, who mentioned that the group was recently established and still in a trial phase, with many areas to improve. With clear roles, group members are encouraged to organize activities to become more involved, practicing and learning in action. The group also offers career guidance for college students, addressing practical issues in life and work. Going beyond theoretical study, they can apply the Bible’s teachings to real-life situations.
He noted that pastors often find it challenging to provide young people with answers to real-world problems, which can lead some to feel that the Bible is irrelevant. But he is well-suited to offer practical, faith-based advice, as he has faced struggles in studies and work and experienced God’s guidance and comfort. “I’ve been through a lot. Although there were times I wished I didn’t have to face certain experiences, I’ve come to see God’s purpose in it all. These experiences have given me greater gifts and wisdom to help young people who are going through similar things.”
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Abigail Wu
周六一大早起来收拾好出门，去参加西安某教堂青年团契一个小组的查经聚会。这个小组是教会针对零零后年轻人开展的，他们有的刚大学毕业，有的已经工作。面对当今被世俗文化充斥以及科技飞速发展的时代，他们生活中常常充满各样的挑战以及困惑。如何在信仰中找到答案以及出路，用神的话语指导自己的生活变得尤为重要。而每周一次的聚会，也为他们提供了一个交流分享的平台。
查经聚会开始，是一位年轻的姊妹带领大家唱赞美诗。她是一位专业的音乐老师，有多年的音乐教学经验。她先带我们做发声练习，比起枯燥的乐理知识，她的指导真的很实用，很快大家就理解掌握了发声技巧。然后大家一起唱赞美诗《主，我邀请你》。
之后，教会一位年轻传道以“祷告有效的秘诀”为主题进行分享。她首先提到认罪悔改。罪就像一堵墙，使我们与神隔绝，使神掩面不顾我们。犯罪之后，人会想要隐藏，远离神。如果不认罪悔改，罪的重量会一直在我们身上，使人不得自由。牧者进一步指出，“一切在神面前都是赤露敞开的，祂知道我们所有的心思意念，要悔改转向神，求祂的赦免和接纳”。
“还要花时间和神独处，安静祷告;与神交通，与祂建立亲密的关系。”她也提到，祷告的时候要有虔敬的态度，神希望我们在祂面前倾心吐意，谦卑的来到祂面前。最后，牧师还劝勉大家要饶恕人，因为天父已经饶恕了我们;饶恕也是为了让我们自己的释放和自由。
在牧者话语分享结束后，两位热心的姊妹拿出装满各样的零食的箱子，糖果、酸奶、饼干琳琅满目，一一分给大家，整体氛围比较轻松、自由、坦诚。大家就今天听道收获以及过去一周所遇到的问题边吃边聊。主要涉及诸如恋爱、人际关系，利己主义，生活习惯等问题。每个人分享着自己的见解和经历，牧者也结合圣经以及自身经历指出宝贵的建议和指导。一直到下午一点左右，这次聚会才结束。
事后，和小组负责人交通时。他表示目前该小组刚成立不久，在试运营阶段；还有很多需要完善的地方。目前，小组成员分工比较明确，平时他们会鼓励组员们自己组织活动；更深入地参与其中，在做事情的过程中去操练学习。同时，小组设有大学生职场辅导，也会指导解决生活、工作中遇到的具体问题；不是单纯的理论学习，最终目的是通过圣经的话语指导实际生活。
他认为，教会牧者面对年轻人的现实问题，很难给出他们实际答案；使很多人觉得圣经是没有用的。加上他自己本身在求学以及职场中，经历过很多迷惘以及挫折；在这个过程中也经历了神很多的带领和安慰，所以他比较擅长通过圣经结合实际生活去给出建议。“一路经历很多，虽然曾经想过不要这样经历，后来发现都有神的美意；让我面对有类似经历的孩子有更多恩赐和智慧去帮助他们。”
帮助年轻人学习用圣经指导实际生活——参加一零零后小组活动有感
Early Saturday morning, I set out to attend a Bible study group of a youth fellowship at a church in Xi’an. This group is specifically designed for Gen-Z young people; some have just graduated from university, while others are already working.
Today’s world is filled with secular influences and rapid technological advancements, and these young people often face diverse challenges and confusion in life. It has become important to find direction through faith and apply God’s Word in their lives. The weekly meetings provide a platform for sharing and fellowship.
The Bible study began with a young believer leading the group in singing hymns. She is a professional music teacher with years of teaching experience. She first guided us through some vocal exercises. Rather than diving into dry music theory, her practical advice was easy to grasp, and soon each person had picked up the vocal techniques. Then, together, we sang the hymn “Lord, I Invite You.”
After the worship, a young minister from the church shared a sermon titled “Secrets to Effective Prayer.” She began by talking about the importance of confession and repentance. Sin, she explained, stood like a stone wall separating us from God, causing Him to turn His face away from us. After sinning, people tend to hide and distance themselves from God. If we don’t confess and repent, we should carry the heavy burden of our sins, keeping our true freedom locked away. The minister further emphasized, “Everything is exposed before God; He knows all our thoughts and intentions. We need to turn back to Him, seeking His forgiveness and acceptance.”
She continued, “It’s also important to spend time alone with God, to communicate with Him, and to build intimacy with Him in prayer.” She highlighted the need for a reverent attitude in prayer, as God wants us to pour out our hearts before Him and approach Him humbly. Finally, she encouraged every believer to forgive others, reminding us that our Heavenly Father has forgiven us, and that forgiveness is essential for our own freedom and release.
After the pastor’s message, two enthusiastic sisters brought out a box filled with a variety of snacks—candies, yogurt, cookies—all sorts of treats to share. The atmosphere was relaxed, open, and sincere as each person chatted over snacks, sharing insights from the sermon and discussing challenges they had faced during the past week. Topics included relationships, interpersonal issues, selfishness, and daily habits. Each person offered their perspectives and experiences, and the pastor provided valuable advice and guidance grounded in biblical teachings and personal experience. The gathering continued until around 1:00 PM.
Afterward, I spoke with the group leader, who mentioned that the group was recently established and still in a trial phase, with many areas to improve. With clear roles, group members are encouraged to organize activities to become more involved, practicing and learning in action. The group also offers career guidance for college students, addressing practical issues in life and work. Going beyond theoretical study, they can apply the Bible’s teachings to real-life situations.
He noted that pastors often find it challenging to provide young people with answers to real-world problems, which can lead some to feel that the Bible is irrelevant. But he is well-suited to offer practical, faith-based advice, as he has faced struggles in studies and work and experienced God’s guidance and comfort. “I’ve been through a lot. Although there were times I wished I didn’t have to face certain experiences, I’ve come to see God’s purpose in it all. These experiences have given me greater gifts and wisdom to help young people who are going through similar things.”
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Abigail Wu
Reflections on Attending Gen-Z Group Activity: Apply Scripture in Daily Life
