Alpha-video06-transcript
The Alpha Course is called the “Inspiration Course” (启发 qifa 课程) on the Chinese language video.
Title: Why we need to read the Bible and how we should read it
(Hosts are outdoors.TR is eating, LZ is exercising) TR complains he’s tired, and LZ ask him if he gets tired just from eating. He answers: Hey, eating is also exercise, exercising the mouth! TR asks her is she exercises every day. She answers: “I try to do it three times a week. But when I was a dancer, I rehearsed every day for at least two hours. Practice was great for my health.” LZ responds: ”Eating is great for my health!
0:38 Qifa Course Introduction sequence
1:02 (Hosts) We often pay greater attention to our physical need for exercise than to our spiritual training. Our spirits need food just like our bodies do. Our spiritual food is the Bible. The Bible is God’s word. It gives us wisdom and strength. And it changes our life.
1:34 Question: If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only bring one thing, what would it be?
Different people answer: Water...a Mobile Phone...Rice….I would never be trapped there, because I’ll never go there….My Mama!….I would take a boat - then sail away...I would take my husband, then I wouldn’t worry. He would figure something out…“Doula A-Meng” (A Pokemon character)...I would take liquor, and then get drunk...I would take my little dog...I would take hair styling clay...a device that broadcasts distress signals...a hen that lays eggs...I would bring my glasses...a girl looks at her boyfriend and says “I’d take you”, he says “OK”...a boy looks at his girlfriend and he would take her. But she looks at him and says “Take me to starve? No way!”...I would take Jack Ma, he could get everything we need from Alibaba: food, drink, tools….
2:39 Small Group Discussion: If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only bring one thing, what would it be?
2:56 (Hosts walking in the city) Many people think the Bible is an ancient book that is no longer needed. The 18th Century French philosopher Voltaire once predicted: “A hundred years from now, the world will no longer listen to the Bible. It will be just a museum piece. Modern philosophy will take its place.” However, the Bible is still the world’s best selling book, selling over 150 million copies every year. It is also the most translated book in history. Currently the whole Bible has been translated into at least 700 languages. On top of that, the New Testament has more than 1500 translations. Currently, China has the world’s largest Bible printing company. Interestingly, the Bibles is also the most “stolen” book in the world! Probably because so many bibles have been placed in hotel rooms and churches. Throughout history the Bible is the most accepted and most powerful book. It has an ability to change people.
4:11 (Testimony) I am from a very traditional and conservative Chinese family. But I was always interested in unusual things and reading strange books. My family told me that Christianity was not a Chinese religion, So I had a deep rooted animosity toward it. Later my family feel into deep trouble. We didn’t have much money during my middle school years, because my father had high interest gambling loans. We were constantly hassled by debt collectors. I really despised my father. Once I asked him which one of his hands had gambled away our money with, because I was going to chop it off. I would also curse him. One day after quarreling with my mother, I took off to find work in another city. One of my co-workers began telling me stories from the Bible. These I liked these stories, so one day I told him that he did not need to memorize these stories for me. If he let me take a Bible home, I would read it. He did give me a Bible, and when I opened God’s word it was just like a needle sticking in my heart. When I read “Do not love only the people who love you, love your enemies also and pray for them”. That was really different! At that time I expected my future to be dark and hopeless. But that very moment Jesus’s words were like a bright lamp to me. The Bible completely changed me. I even went to apologize to my father with tears in my eyes asking for his forgiveness. Now I treasure spending time with my parents. I also realize that God’s word is for all peoples of the world, no matter what their ethnic group ise.
7:11 Teacher: The Bible is revealed by God.(显示) Its message is “breathed out by God”.（上帝所呼出的气息). How can we believe this? Simply put, the Bible refers to itself as “revelation” (that which is revealed) . And it gives evidence that is revealed by God. 启示 How was the Bible declared/proclaimed? ( 宣称 ) I’ll give an example. Paul said the bible is inspired ( 默示 ) by God. When we read the Bible, we discover that it is filled with truth which it reveals to us. I feel this deeply. Every time I read scripture and do what it says, I experience in practice that God’s word is true and reliable. Why not try out reading the Bible for yourself? You will find that it can prove itself to be God’s word to you. In Pope Francis’s book The Joy of the Gospel, he encourages everyone to careful read and study the Bible.: “We should not blindly seek God, or wait for him to speak to us. This is because God has already spoken to humanity. There is nothing else we need to know beyond what He has already revealed. Let us receive these words of revelation and the treasure they contain.”
8:47 (Cartoon) The complete Bible was written by 40 authors from different times and places. over a period of 1600 years. Among these writers were Kings, scholars, philosophers, fishermen, poets, politicians, historians, teachers, prophets, and a doctor. They wrote in various genres: history, songs, prophecy, and letters etc. The Bible contains 66 different books, separated into Old Testament and New Testament. The OT has 39 books and the NT 27. This can be easily memorized as 3,9,27 (in Chinese these numbers can be read as 3x9=27). The Bible is 100% written by people, but at the same time it is 100% inspired by God. The following story illustrates this.
Illustration: Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London was built by Christopher Wren, (雷恩）Britain’s great architect. It began construction in 1675, when Wren was 43 years old. Under his direction it took 36 years to complete. In 1711, when Wren was 79 it was finished. Even though he was the chief architect he never laid a single brick for the structure. Instead there were stone masons, carpenters, construction workers, artists etc. who actually built it. But Wren was the ‘behind the scenes’ source of inspiration for it.
The Bible is similar to this: The source of inspiration is God, but he used many different authors to write it down.
10:45 (Hosts are seen entering through doors) The Bible has many writers but only one Architect. He is in the background directing everything. He is God. “Hey Liao Zhi, do you still remember the first time you read the Bible?”: “Of course! It was when I was in primary school. I just happened to be reading some magazine and saw the phrase ‘Love is patient, love is kind’ in an article about love. This quote was attributed to the Bible.” RT asks her whether she could understand it at such a young age. LZ answers that the quote about love is rather easy to understand and she was very attracted to it. Later she went looking for the Bible in bookstores but despite many years of searching she could not find it. However as an adult, the year of the Chengdu earthquake, someone gave her one. She was so excited. She took it home and read it daily, though she was afraid that her parents would find her reading it. At night under her bed covers she read it by flashlight. TR asks her why she was so dedicated to reading it. Was she already a Christian? LZ answers: “I was not a Christian yet and no one had taught me how to read it. But I still wanted to read it every day. In fact I read the whole New Testament quite quickly.” TR: ” Your are pretty fortunate. It took me two years of study with a pastor before I could study the Bible myself. But I still really enjoyed the process of learning to study the Bible. Even though the Bible contains a number of questions that are difficult to explain, I still kept going in reading through it. I also experienced God more and more. This in turn helped me understand the Bible more and more.” LZ: “This is amazing because I have the same experience. The more I read it, the more I understand. The Holy Spirit also helps me. TR: “We also should be careful not to pick and choose parts of the Bible out of context.（断章取义）It is also helpful to understand the literary genre (文学体裁) of the Bible portion we are reading. Also each writer’s background. Then we can more easily understand the meaning.” LZ: “Jesus’s love is God’s greatest revelation. Jesus is crucial to understanding the Bible. Never doubt God’s love. If you want to know God, look to Jesus and that’s it.”
12:52 (Teacher) How do we have fellowship with God? The key method is through the Bible. The most important things he wants to say to us, his purpose and desire, and what we need to know is all revealed in the Bible. Some people ask: “If God exists why doesn’t he clearly appear and let us see him?” But, God has already long ago displayed himself clearly: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”(Psalm 19:1) [ Then a series of nature images with descriptions of its beauty and precision is shown) All these can lead us to sigh in wonder and praise God.
13:55 [A series of pictures of human life is shown] Not only did God show himself in creation, he also revealed himself in a human body. This was done in Jesus Christ. So, how can we know Jesus? Mainly through the Bible! The New Testament has Jesus’s life story written by eyewitnesses. Science helps us understand how God created the world through nature to reveal himself. So we believe science is very important. It is a channel for knowing God. Another way of helping us to understand God is theology. This helps us to understand how God revealed himself through the Bible and in Christ.
15:08 (TESTIMONY - A lady is seen walking next to a group of apartments) - The first time I encountered the Bible was during a very low point in my life. I was in confused and in pain. It was just after my father had passed away. Then my marriage collapsed, and the court assigned my child to her father. I was completely at a loss, wondering what the purpose of living was. Fortunately I met a teacher who happened to be a Christian. She invited me into the Alpha course. The first time I went, I was deeply drawn to a book sitting on the coffee table. Wow, it was so unique my heart began to thump in my chest, I saw it was a Bible and started flipping through it, I came to Matthew chapter 6 verse 9: “Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be honored as holy.” After reading that verse my heart was completely opened. I felt that a spring of water had showered me from head to toe. I felt that I had found the answer that I was looking for. Three months later, after I had finished reading the Bible, I felt that my whole life, both inside and outside was no longer the same. As I walked the same streets, looking at the same sights and apartments, to me, nothing was the same any more. After reading the Bible I saw God’s creation, God’s love, his law, and his plan for humanity. I felt that in being a part of God’s family, I had come into my own family. I was deeply touched by the warmth and love there. Through God and Jesus’s word, his teaching and his presence with me, my relationship with my daughter was restored. God’s word gave me the courage to face life. It also renewed me and changed both my heart and my thinking.
17:52 Question on the street | What is your opinion of whether God can speak to you through his word?
(Different people answer)...I’ve heard of the Bible, but never read it...I think it is only reading a book. That Bible of yours is only a book...It is like multi-level marketing, I don’t believe it….All books can tell stories, why couldn’t God?...I read a little but didn’t keep going, books don’t suit me much….Jesus’s method was to use the Bible to tell us his heart...how does the Bible speak to me? Sometimes it is through other believers who give me a verse or a useful passage...when I run into difficulties, I never pray. As to affirming this belief, I don’t pay much attention….The Bible’s words are indeed how God speaks to me...I’m not sure if he speaks to me through the Bible because I don’t much understand the content...the bible is such a thick book and came though so many years of history, it certainly should contain much wisdom...
18:54 SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION | What is your opinion of whether God can speak to you through his word?
19:11 (A busy street) Hosts: The gospels show us that Jesus believed that the Old Testament was inspired by God. From ancient times until now, the entire church has believed this truth. The Bible is God’s revelation. It is the greatest principle of guidance for our lives. Paul the apostle wrote: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Tim 3.16). The Bible is filled with wisdom and principles for life. For example: how to love people, forgive people, healthy ways to work and live, how to raise children, care for the aged, etc. The Bible gives us principles and boundaries to help us live an amazing life. Perhaps you think it sounds like a handbook full of rules to destroy our freedom. But actually we all need boundaries in our lives. God gives us these rules not because he hates us and wants us to be miserable (愁苦), but because he loves us and hopes for us to truly enjoy life. True freedom comes from knowing that God is in the highest place of authority. And to know where the boundaries are.
20:27 (Teacher) How does God communicate with us? He originally did it through prophets. Today it is through the Bible. The Bible is like a personal letter from God telling us about his love. In John 5:39-40 Jesus said: “ You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” The ultimate purpose of the scriptures is to lead us into relationship with God the Father and Jesus.
21:21 Testimony (Enterprise Management coach) - From my youth, I placed high demands on myself. Whether at school or on the job, I depended entirely on myself and worked hard. However, I was diagnosed with lymph node cancer at age 47. The tumors were large and the doctors were afraid. For 10 days I couldn’t sleep, eat or even dress myself. My self confidence collapsed. This was an even worse pain than physical. A friend heard about my situation and came quickly to see me. She shared the gospel with me and said “Sabine, do you want help from Jesus?” I thought that no one in this world could help my situation, so I just said “Okay”. I had already had many rounds of chemo and one transplant. When I had the transplant the doctor said that I would have to be hospitalized for 42 days. I remember that on one of those days I felt especially weak and near to death. Suddenly I saw myself as a four year old child inside of a dark mountain, alone and helpless. I saw myself asking God to save me. Instantly I saw a middle aged man appear before me. Then he picked me up, took me out of the dark mountain and put down in a large field of green grass. There was a beautiful river with brightly colored stones in it. I was happy and said I wanted to go play there. He put me down and laughed. After a moment I came back to consciousness. After I checked out of the hospital, I began to read the Bible. One day I just happened to turn to Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd and I will not lack. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside peaceful waters. He restores my soul.” I was shocked. That was the scene that I saw in the hospital. My eyes were full of tears. That person I saw was Jesus. It was he that saved me. That wasn’t my imagination. It was a true experience. Through the bible I know that God is always with me speaking. He constantly comforts and is present with me. His love moves me deeply. From being on the verge of death 濒临 to having health, God is always speaking with me through the Bible. I have learned to rely on Jesus rather than myself. His word tells me that I can live in his courts forever.
25:37 Question | What do you think of the idea that the Bible is a love letter from God to you?
(different people answer)...romantic like a love letter?...really? don’t trick me!...What? this is the first time I heard it expressed like that….I think that is beautiful...that is romantic...the bible isn’t a love letter; that is for a husband to give his wife...love letter? I already don’t believe it- you’re just trying to fool me….I think God gave people a manual of how to live, not some kind of romantic thing...hey, I better go get one and open it quick to see what is in there….Song of songs has a lot of intimate expressions in it...No, I think the Bible is like an old father that tells of things that happened long, long ago, and has answers to many questions...it is a book that tells the love story that God wants us to know
26:39 (A family picture in the TEACHER’s office) - I have been a Christian for over 30 years. I have been reading the Bible every day, not because I have to, but because I like it. But to be honest, when I am busy or tired I lack the drive to read it. But the Bible is like eating. It is food for our inner life. I get nourishment for my spiritual needs. When I am discouraged, God comforts me through it. When I began working at a design company, there were many excellent designers there. My designs were not much appreciated. I was often criticized by the boss. I was discouraged and sad. My self esteem was low. Then God led me to read Romans 8:35 “What can separate me from the love of God? Not difficulties or hardship”. This reminded me not to get my self worth from my ability or performance, but by God’s love for me. Unconditional love. Later my work was appreciated on the internet with notes of affirmation and praise and even an offer of from an organization to sell them for me. Whoa..I felt I was really something...Then God led me to think of Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Then I humbled myself, because without Him, I can do nothing. So, whether I am on one of life’s high mountains or deep down in the valley, God always speaks to me through the Bible. I encourage you to develop a daily habit of reading God’s word and praying. You will find that this is an amazing experience. God is very happy to speak with you. Are you willing to listen?
30:38 (Hosts) Now we want to share with you three little techniques in reading the bible:
1. Find a time and place that fits your schedule. If you are a morning person, try 10 minutes before you eat breakfast. If you are an evening person, you can read before going to bed. You could also try listening to the Bible on your way to work or school. The main point is to develop a regular habit to read.
2. The Bible contains history books, songs, prophecies and other genres. Understanding these different literary forms, will help you know better what each passage means.
3. Before reading, first pray and ask the Spirit of Jesus to help you understand the Bible. At the end ask God to show you what he wants to say to you through this passage. These are just little tips. You need to keep going, don’t miss your reading time! If you continue in study and prayer, God will speak to you and you will have amazing experiences. We encourage you to start today.
30:30 Small Group Discussion | Have you studied the Bible? Are you willing to try?