周神耀 | Phil Chou

周神耀牧師心靈小菜園系列-75 | Pastor Phil Chou Spiritual Garden Series – 75

母親節過了不久, 父親節(六月第三主日）就快到了。我們來思想兒童教育。聖經箴言22:6說「教養孩童使他走當行的道, 就是到老他也不徧離」。擧一個例。摩西生在埃及。法老公主收養他, 卻被允許在家𥚃長大。希伯來文化耶和華的信仰根深蒂固。雖然後來進入王宮學盡埃及一切的學問，自己是誰非常清楚。教養小孩, 時間愈早愈好愈有效果。因為小孩身心靈,在極幼小未成熟前, 已經有很強的感受及吸收力。甚至在母腹內已經有一些了。幼兒像一張白紙, 更像海綿(sponge)！心靈的感染先於知識的傳授。知識的傳授要遲一點,但兒童日後對知識的吸收能力, 溫床要早先預備。

Shortly after Mother’s Day passes, Father’s Day (the third Sunday in June) is approaching. Let’s reflect on child education. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Take the example of Moses. Born in Egypt, he was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter but was allowed to grow up in his Hebrew household. The faith in Jehovah was deeply ingrained in Hebrew culture. Though he later studied all the wisdom of Egypt in the royal palace, he remained clear about his identity. The earlier children receive education, the more effective it is. Even before full development, a child’s body, mind, and spirit have strong receptivity and absorption abilities—some of which begin in the womb. A newborn is like a blank canvas, even more so like a sponge! Spiritual influence precedes intellectual transmission. While knowledge can be taught later, the ability to absorb it must be prepared in advance.

先說「胎教」：
在妊娠時期給孕婦創造良好的環境及心態, 會影響胎兒的身心靈的健康發育。詩篇22:9-10「祢是叫我出母腹的, 我在母懐裡祢就使我有倚靠的心, 我出自母胎就被交在祢手𥚃, 從我母親生我, 袮就是我的神」。詩人大衞受聖靈感動, 認定未出生的胎兒, 上帝已經在保護他了, 已經有靈的感受能力。所以一出生, 在母懐裡「就有倚靠的心」。這詩篇22篇是預言耶穌釘十字架。但從在馬利亞腹內得到恩𠖥說起。也指出整個懐孕過程在上帝的保護下。現代心理學及醫學證實胎教的的重要。故理想的教育必包括胎教。聽說實驗已經證明, 古典音樂特別是莫紥特的音樂, 可以提高嬰兒的學習能力。家有待產的準媽媽不妨多聽聽莫氏輕巧優雅又細膩的旋律。

Prenatal Education:
Creating a positive environment and mindset for pregnant women affects the physical, mental, and spiritual development of the fetus. Psalm 22:9-10 states, “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth, I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb, you have been my God.” King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, acknowledges that even an unborn child is under God’s protection and has spiritual sensitivity. This psalm also prophesies Christ’s crucifixion, starting from His divine favor in Mary’s womb, showing the entire pregnancy process is under God’s care. Modern psychology and medicine confirm the importance of prenatal education. Studies have shown classical music, particularly Mozart’s compositions, enhances babies’ learning abilities. Expectant mothers might benefit from listening to his light and elegant melodies.

胎教在聖經中印象最為深刻的我想是哈拿和撒母耳。她因無子受盡侮辱。到聖殿流淚呼求心中默默不停祈禱許願, 老祭司以利以為她喝醉了。上帝垂聽她的呼求使她懐了撒母耳。相信她靈性生活信仰的DNA在肚子裡就開始遺傳給撤母耳了。聖靈能夠感動胎兒, 在聖經𥚃有記載。施洗約翰的母親,以利沙伯已經懐孕。當馬利亞懐孕後特地來訪問她的時候, 一聽見馬利亞的問安, 腹中胎兒便跳動起來。另外路加福音記載, 施洗約翰從母腹𥚃就被聖靈充滿。撒母耳和施洗約翰, 他們都有寶貴的胎教。

One of the most impactful prenatal education cases in the Bible is Hannah and Samuel. Hannah was barren and suffered humiliation. She cried out silently in prayer at the temple, making a vow, which the elderly priest Eli initially mistook for drunkenness. God answered her prayers, and she conceived Samuel. It is believed her spiritual faith was already passed down to Samuel while he was in her womb. Scripture records instances of the Holy Spirit influencing unborn children. When Mary visited Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, the baby leaped in her womb upon hearing Mary’s greeting. Luke’s Gospel states that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. Both Samuel and John the Baptist received precious prenatal education.

我們可以說教會主日學的幼稚班並不是最初的初級班, 還有「胎教班」算是第一班才對。我建議待產的姊妹們一起聚集, 聽安靜優雅的聖樂, 一起讃美歡笑唱詩, 聆聽上帝的話語, 禱告, 互相為肚子裡的嬰兒祝福, 使胎兒的心靈有倚靠神的心。教會的主日學可以考慮開「胎教班」。我想待產的姊妹們除了參加成人主日學之外,設法有特別時段參加「胎教班」。屬靈的母親生下屬靈的小孩。

Churches may consider prenatal education as the true first stage before infant Sunday school. Expectant mothers could gather to listen to serene sacred music, praise, pray, and bless their unborn children, instilling in them a heart that trusts in God. Churches could organize prenatal classes for mothers in addition to adult Sunday school, nurturing spiritually strong children.

下面是「愛教」：
以弗所書6: 說「你們做父親的, 不要惹兒女的氣, 只要照著主的教訓和警戒養育他們」。歌羅西書3:21「你們做父親的, 不要惹兒女的氣, 恐怕他們失了志氣」。教導有方和教導內容一樣重要。用愛心正面的鼓勵比負面的指責更有教育的效果。

Loving Education:
Ephesians 6:4 states, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Colossians 3:21 similarly instructs, “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” How we teach is as important as what we teach. Positive encouragement fosters better learning outcomes than harsh criticism.

有一個美國學童回家拿了一張成績單交給爸爸。爸爸一看「哦！57分。不錯不錯！再三分就及格了！以後更加努力, 你必定有希望拿高分數！」 。小學生得到鼓勵從此就更加有志氣。有一個中國學童回家拿了一張成績單高高興興地交給爸爸。爸爸一看「唉呀！你怎麼搞的才拿到97分！不行不行！不到一百分是非常可惜的事。你看鄰居的小張拿一百分！以後不拿到100分, 你知道你爸爸是不滿意的！」 孩子以為爸爸會稱讚他, 沒料到這麼沒趣碰了一頭灰！大大失了志氣。30年過去了。聽說那個美國小孩成為美國大公司執行長。而那個中國小孩連科長都沒有他的分。

An example: A young American student handed his father a report card showing a score of 57. His father said, “Oh! 57 points—not bad! Just three more and you’ll pass. Keep working hard, and you’ll improve!” Encouraged, the child gained motivation. Meanwhile, a Chinese student excitedly gave his father his report card with a score of 97. His father responded, “How did you only get 97? That’s not good enough! You should have gotten a perfect 100 like the neighbor’s son!” Expecting praise, the child was instead discouraged. Thirty years later, that American student became a successful CEO, while the Chinese student did not even reach a managerial position.

但是正面鼓勵並非一味溺愛。我們也要懂得真正愛的教育。箴言13:24「不忍用杖打兒子的,是恨惡他, 疼愛兒子的隨時管教」。在上帝愛的氣氛下, 營造和諧輕鬆的氛圍。在有原則及向上求進步的方向中, 教養孩子才不致成為溺愛。所以要「照著主的教訓和警戒養育他們」, 這就是基督化的家庭教育。家中必會有喜樂平安加上「愛的杖」。備而不用。

However, positive encouragement doesn’t mean excessive indulgence. Proverbs 13:24 states, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Under an atmosphere of God’s love, a harmonious home with principles and progress fosters well-rounded children without leading to overindulgence. “Bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” ensures Christian family education produces joy and peace, with discipline available but rarely needed.

如果一個孩子, 未出母腹前, 有「胎教」。生下來在又在愛的家庭裡有「愛教」, 他真是一個世上最得𠖥愛的幸運兒, 將來必成為為上帝重用的器皿。

A child with prenatal education before birth and loving education afterward is truly blessed and destined to be a vessel for God’s work.