Ibada, Uhubiri na Huduma ya Kipentekoste — Sehemu ya 9: Vijana, Uanafunzi na Vikundi VidogoPentecostal Worship, Preaching, and Ministry — Unit 9: Youth, Discipleship, and Small Groups

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Mtu awaye yote asiudharau ujana wako; bali uwe kielelezo kwa waaminio, katika usemi, na mwenendo, na upendo, na imani, na usafi." (1 Timotheo 4:12, SUV)"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, utaweza:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kueleza kwa nini Wapentekoste wanatarajia Mungu atende kazi kwa watoto na vijana, na jinsi kanisa linavyoweza kuwakaribisha.1. Explain why Pentecostals expect God to work in children and young people, and how a church can welcome them.

2. Kueleza uanafunzi kama Biblia inavyofundisha na kama Wapentekoste wanavyoutekeleza, ukiunganisha Neno, Roho, sala, jumuiya na utume.2. Describe discipleship as the Bible teaches it and as Pentecostals practice it, joining Word, Spirit, prayer, community and mission.

3. Kueleza mizizi ya kibiblia na ya kihistoria ya vikundi vidogo, na kuweka mkutano rahisi wa kikundi kidogo unaotoa nafasi kwa karama za Roho.3. Describe the biblical and historical roots of small groups, and set out a simple small-group meeting that makes room for the gifts of the Spirit.

4. Kutaja pingamizi kuu dhidi ya mazoea yetu na kueleza jinsi Wapentekoste wanavyozijibu.4. State the main objections to our practice and explain how Pentecostals answer them.

5. Kupanga njia ya kuwafunza na kuwasimamia vijana na viongozi wa vikundi vidogo kwa usalama.5. Plan a way to train and oversee young people and small-group leaders safely.

Sauti ya Kipindi HikiThe Voice of This Unit

Kipindi hiki kimeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste ya kiasili, kwa ajili ya wachungaji wanaoshiriki mapokeo hayo. Ni cha vitendo. Tunaeleza kwa uadilifu maswali ambayo wengine, na Wapentekoste waaminifu, huuliza kuhusu njia yetu ya kuwafanya watu wanafunzi. Ulinzi kwa wale wanaoongoza unashughulikiwa zaidi katika Kipindi cha 10.This unit is written from inside the classical Pentecostal tradition, for pastors who belong to it. It is practical. We state fairly the questions that others, and honest Pentecostals, ask about our way of making disciples. Safeguards for those who lead are treated further in Unit 10.

Mungu Hutenda Kazi kwa VijanaGod Works in the Young

Wapentekoste siku zote wametarajia Mungu atende kazi miongoni mwa watoto na vijana. Unabii wa Yoeli, ulionukuliwa na Petro, unasema "Vijana wenu wataona maono" (Matendo 2:17). Biblia inaonyesha Mungu akiwaita vijana: Samweli alisikia sauti ya Bwana akiwa mvulana (1 Samweli 3), na Timotheo alikuwa amejua Maandiko Matakatifu "tangu utoto," ambayo "yaliyo na uwezo wa kukupa hekima ipate wokovu kwa imani iliyo katika Kristo Yesu" (2 Timotheo 3:15). Yesu aliwakaribisha watoto na akasema, "Waacheni watoto wadogo waje kwangu, msiwazuie; kwa kuwa ufalme wa Mungu ni wa watu kama hao" (Marko 10:14).Pentecostals have always expected God to work among children and young people. The prophecy of Joel, quoted by Peter, says "Your young men shall see visions" (Acts 2:17). The Bible shows God calling the young: Samuel heard the Lord's voice as a boy (1 Samuel 3), and Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures "from childhood," which are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). Jesus welcomed children and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14).

Wajibu huanza nyumbani. Musa aliwaambia Israeli wafundishe maneno ya Mungu "kwa bidii" kwa watoto wao, wakizungumza juu yake "katika kuketi kwako nyumbani mwako, na katika kutembea kwako njiani, na katika kulala kwako, na katika kuamka kwako" (Kumbukumbu la Torati 6:7). Paulo aliandika, "Nanyi, akina baba, msiwachokoze watoto wenu, bali waleeni katika adabu na maonyo ya Bwana" (Waefeso 6:4). Kanisa linawasaidia wazazi; halichukui nafasi yao. Mchungaji mwenye hekima huuliza kwanza familia zinahitaji nini, si tu programu ya vijana inahitaji nini.The responsibility begins at home. Moses told Israel to teach God's words "diligently to your children," talking of them "when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Paul wrote, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). The church supports parents; it does not replace them. A wise pastor asks first what the families need, not only what the youth program needs.

Watoto na RohoChildren and the Spirit

Wapentekoste wamefundisha kwamba watoto wanaweza kumpokea Kristo, kujazwa Roho, na kutumia karama za rohoni. Ahadi ya Yesu katika Luka 11:13 haina umri wa chini. Lakini watoto wanahitaji uangalifu wa upole. Kiongozi hapaswi kumshinikiza mtoto kuonyesha ishara, au "kupata" kitu ili kuwafurahisha watu wazima. Mfundishe mtoto kwa urahisi Yesu ni nani na mwalike aombe. Mruhusu Roho afanye kazi na wazazi wawepo. Karama ya lugha si maonyesho. Fundisho la ubatizo katika Roho linafundishwa katika Kozi ya 2.Pentecostals have taught that children can receive Christ, be filled with the Spirit, and use spiritual gifts. Jesus' promise in Luke 11:13 has no minimum age. But children need gentle care. A leader must not pressure a child to produce a sign, or to "get" something so as to please adults. Teach the child simply who Jesus is and invite him to ask. Let the Spirit do the work and let parents be present. The gift of tongues is not a performance. The doctrine of Spirit baptism is taught in Course 2.

Vijana wa leoYoung people today

Vijana wanakabiliwa na maswali ambayo vizazi vya wazee havikuwa nayo: picha chafu, mitandao ya kijamii, shinikizo shuleni, kuvunjika kwa familia, umaskini, na katika sehemu nyingi mvuto wa kuhamia nchi nyingine. Wengine huondoka kanisani wanapofikia utu uzima. Utafiti kuhusu hili hauna msimamo mmoja na hutofautiana kwa nchi, kwa hiyo hatupaswi kutaja takwimu kamili, lakini wachungaji katika nchi nyingi huripoti huzuni hiyohiyo. Sababu kwa kawaida si hasa kuhusu muziki. Zinajumuisha mafundisho ya juu juu, kutokuwa na marafiki watu wazima, na hofu ya kuuliza maswali magumu. Kanisa linalojibu maswali kwa uaminifu, linalowapa vijana kazi ya kweli, na linalowaweka marafiki waliokomaa kando yao lina uwezekano mkubwa wa kuwadumisha.Young people face questions that older generations did not: pornography, social media, pressure at school, family breakdown, poverty, and in many places the lure of migration. Some leave the church when they reach adulthood. Research on this is mixed and varies by country, so we should not state exact figures, but pastors in many lands report the same sorrow. The reasons are usually not mainly about the music. They include shallow teaching, no adult friends, and fear of asking hard questions. The church that answers questions honestly, gives real work to young people, and puts mature friends beside them is more likely to keep them.

Uanafunzi ni NiniWhat Discipleship Is

Agizo la mwisho la Yesu lilikuwa, "Basi, enendeni mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi . . . na kuwafundisha kuyashika yote niliyowaamuru ninyi; na tazama, mimi nipo pamoja nanyi siku zote hata ukamilifu wa dahari" (Mathayo 28:19-20). Mwanafunzi ni mwanafunzi anayemfuata Yesu, anayeumbwa na mafundisho yake, na anayewasaidia wengine kumfuata. Uanafunzi si programu inayokwisha. Huanza kwa kuzaliwa mara ya pili na kuendelea maisha yote.Jesus' last command was, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). A disciple is a learner who follows Jesus, is shaped by His teaching, and helps others to follow Him. Discipleship is not a program that ends. It begins at new birth and continues through life.

Matendo 2:42 inatoa picha ya kanisa la kwanza: "Nao walidumu katika mafundisho ya mitume, na katika ushirika, na katika kumega mkate, na katika kusali." Wapentekoste husoma hili kama mfano wa uanafunzi unaounganisha mambo matano.Acts 2:42 gives a picture of the first church: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Pentecostals read this as a pattern for discipleship that joins five things.

Neno. Mwanafunzi husoma na kujifunza Maandiko na hufundishwa mafundisho yenye afya. Uanafunzi wa Kipentekoste unaoacha kufundisha huzalisha watu wanaotegemea uzoefu peke yake.Word. A disciple reads and learns the Scriptures and is taught sound doctrine. Pentecostal discipleship that neglects teaching produces people who depend on experience alone.

Roho. Mwanafunzi hujazwa Roho na hujifunza kutembea katika nguvu zake, kutumia karama na kuzaa matunda yake. Kozi ya 3 inafundisha karama, pamoja na matunda na tabia zinazohitajika.Spirit. A disciple is filled with the Spirit and learns to walk in His power, to use gifts and to bear His fruit. Course 3 teaches the gifts, with the fruit and character they need.

Sala. Mwanafunzi hujifunza kuomba peke yake na pamoja na wengine. Makanisa mengi ya Kipentekoste yana utamaduni imara wa sala, na unapaswa kupitishwa kwa vijana.Prayer. A disciple learns to pray alone and with others. Many Pentecostal churches have a strong culture of prayer, and it should be passed on to the young.

Jumuiya. Mwanafunzi ni wa familia ya waumini wanaotiana moyo, kusahihishana na kutumikiana. "Tukaangaliane sisi kwa sisi na kusukumana kuelekea upendo na matendo mema; wala tusiache kukusanyika pamoja, kama ilivyo desturi ya wengine; bali tuonyane" (Waebrania 10:24-25).Community. A disciple belongs to a family of believers who encourage, correct and serve one another. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Utume. Mwanafunzi hushuhudia na hutumikia. Matendo 1:8 inaunganisha nguvu ya Roho na ushuhuda. Muumini kijana ambaye hapewi chochote cha kufanya ama atachoka ama atakuwa na kiburi.Mission. A disciple witnesses and serves. Acts 1:8 links the power of the Spirit with witness. A young believer who is never given anything to do will either grow bored or grow proud.

KuipitishaPassing it on

Maagizo ya Paulo kwa Timotheo yanaonyesha mnyororo: "Na mambo yale uliyoyasikia kwangu mbele ya mashahidi wengi, kabidhi hayo kwa watu waaminifu watakaoweza kuwafundisha na wengine" (2 Timotheo 2:2). Vizazi vinne vinaonekana: Paulo, Timotheo, watu waaminifu, na wale wengine wanaowafundisha. Mchungaji anapaswa kuuliza ni nani anayemfunza leo ili afunze wengine.Paul's instruction to Timothy shows the chain: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Four generations are in view: Paul, Timothy, faithful men, and the others they teach. A pastor should ask who he is training today to train others.

Njia rahisi kwa muumini mpya inaweza kujumuisha: ziara ndani ya juma moja baada ya uamuzi; kozi fupi kuhusu wokovu, Biblia, sala na kanisa; ubatizo wa maji (Kipindi cha 7); mwaliko wa kutafuta ujazo wa Roho; nafasi katika kikundi kidogo; na kazi ya kwanza ya huduma. Kila hatua ni ndogo na ya kibinafsi.A simple path for a new believer might include: a visit within a week of the decision; a short course on salvation, the Bible, prayer and the church; water baptism (Unit 7); an invitation to seek the fullness of the Spirit; a place in a small group; and a first task of service. Each step is small and personal.

Vikundi VidogoSmall Groups

Mizizi katika Maandiko na historiaRoots in Scripture and history

Kanisa la kwanza lilikutana kwa njia mbili. "Kila siku walidumu kwa nia moja hekaluni, na walipokuwa wakimega mkate nyumbani kwa nyumba, walishiriki chakula kwa furaha na unyofu wa moyo" (Matendo 2:46). Na Matendo 5:42 inasema kwamba "kila siku, hekaluni na nyumbani, hawakuacha kufundisha na kuhubiri habari njema ya Yesu aliye Kristo." Kanisa lilikutana katika mikusanyiko mikubwa na katika nyumba. Paulo alituma salamu kwa makanisa yaliyokutana katika nyumba, kama lile lililokuwa katika nyumba ya Priskila na Akila (Warumi 16:3-5).The early church met in two ways. "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart" (Acts 2:46). And Acts 5:42 says that "daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." The church met in large gatherings and in homes. Paul sent greetings to churches that met in houses, such as the one in the house of Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-5).

John Wesley, ambaye kutoka kwake mizizi yetu ya Utakatifu inatoka, aliwapanga Wamethodisti wa awali katika jumuiya (societies) na madarasa madogo katika miaka ya 1700, ili waumini waombe, waungame makosa na kutiana moyo kila juma. Makanisa ya Kipentekoste mara nyingi yametumia mikutano ya sala nyumbani na mikutano ya nyumbani. Katika sehemu ya mwisho ya karne ya ishirini makanisa mengi makubwa, yakiwemo Yoido Full Gospel Church huko Seoul chini ya David Yonggi Cho, yalitumia muundo wa vikundi vya seli (cell groups) ambamo kusanyiko hugawanywa katika vikundi vidogo vinavyokutana nyumbani, na makanisa mengi katika Amerika ya Kusini na Afrika yamefuata mifano inayofanana. Mahali ambapo serikali zinazuia ibada ya hadharani, vikundi vya nyumbani mara nyingi vimekuwa njia ambayo kanisa linanusurika. Kozi ya 1, Vipindi vya 6 hadi 8, inaeleza kanda hizi.John Wesley, from whom our Holiness roots come, organized the early Methodists into societies and smaller classes in the 1700s, so that believers could pray, confess faults and encourage one another each week. Pentecostal churches have often used home prayer meetings and cottage meetings. In the later twentieth century many large churches, including the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul under David Yonggi Cho, used a cell-group structure in which the congregation is divided into small groups that meet in homes, and many churches in Latin America and Africa have followed similar models. Where governments restrict public worship, home groups have often been the way that the church survives. Course 1, Units 6 to 8, describes these regions.

Mkutano rahisiA simple meeting

Paulo alieleza mkutano ambamo wengi hushiriki: "Mkutanapo, kila mtu ana zaburi, ana fundisho, ana lugha, ana ufunuo, ana tafsiri. Mambo yote na yatendeke ili kujenga" (1 Wakorintho 14:26). Kikundi kidogo ni mahali pazuri kwa hili. Mkutano wa takriban dakika tisini unaweza kujumuisha:Paul described a gathering in which many take part: "Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26). A small group is an ideal place for this. A meeting of about ninety minutes might include:

1. Karibu na chakula rahisi au salamu (dakika 15).1. Welcome and a simple meal or greeting (15 minutes).

2. Ibada, kwa nyimbo rahisi, ikiongozwa na mtu mwenye gitaa, rekodi, au sauti tu (dakika 15).2. Worship, with simple songs, led by someone with a guitar, a recording, or just voices (15 minutes).

3. Neno. Kikundi husoma kifungu kifupi na kukijadili kwa maswali matatu: Kinasema nini? Kinamaanisha nini? Nitafanya nini? Kiongozi huongoza, hahutubu (dakika 30).3. The Word. The group reads a short passage and discusses it with three questions: What does it say? What does it mean? What will I do? The leader guides, and does not lecture (30 minutes).

4. Huduma. Kikundi huombeana mahitaji, na karama kama unabii, kutia moyo na sala kwa wagonjwa zinaweza kutumika kama katika Kipindi cha 6 (dakika 20).4. Ministry. The group prays for each other's needs, and gifts such as prophecy, encouragement and prayer for the sick may be used as in Unit 6 (20 minutes).

5. Mipango ya huduma na sala ya kufunga (dakika 10).5. Plans for service and a closing prayer (10 minutes).

Vikundi vidogo huwapa watu nafasi ya kusema, kujulikana na kutumia karama bila shinikizo la kusanyiko kubwa. Pia huwasaidia waumini wapya wanaoona ibada kubwa ya Jumapili kuwa nzito mno.Small groups give people a chance to speak, to be known and to use gifts without the pressure of the large congregation. They also help new believers who find a large Sunday service overwhelming.

Viongozi na usimamiziLeaders and oversight

Kiongozi wa kikundi hahitaji shahada. Anahitaji tabia njema, upendo kwa watu, na utayari wa kufundishwa. Chagua viongozi kwa uangalifu, na uwafunze pamoja na mchungaji kila mwezi. Kila kikundi kinapaswa kuwa na kiongozi msaidizi anayejifunza kuongoza, ili vikundi viweze kuongezeka. Kila kikundi kinapaswa kuwajibika kwa wachungaji. Kikundi kidogo ambacho hakiwajibiki kwa mtu yeyote kinaweza kupotea katika makosa au katika udhibiti wa mtu mmoja.A group leader does not need a degree. He or she needs good character, a love for people, and a willingness to be taught. Choose leaders carefully, and train them with the pastor each month. Every group should have an assistant leader who is learning to lead, so that groups can multiply. Every group should be answerable to the pastors. A small group that is not accountable to anyone can drift into error or into one person's control.

Pingamizi na Majibu YetuObjections and Our Answers

Pingamizi la 1: Uanafunzi wa Kipentekoste unasisitiza uzoefu na huzalisha Wakristo wa juu juu.Objection 1: Pentecostal discipleship stresses experience and produces shallow Christians.

Wakosoaji, wakiwemo walimu wa Matengenezo na wa Kibaptisti, wanasema kwamba makanisa yaliyojengwa juu ya uzoefu na hisia hupuuza mafundisho ya imani. Wanaona kwamba msisimko hufifia na kwamba watu wanaofukuzia uzoefu mara nyingi huondoka msisimko unapoisha.Critics, including Reformed and Baptist teachers, say that churches built on experience and emotion neglect doctrine. They note that excitement fades and that people who chase experiences often leave when the excitement ends.

Jibu letu. Baadhi ya makanisa yetu yamestahili onyo hili. Jibu letu si kuacha Roho bali kuunganisha Neno na Roho. Yesu aliahidi kwamba Roho angefundisha na kukumbusha (Yohana 14:26), na Paulo alimwamuru Timotheo ashughulike na kusoma, kuonya na kufundisha (1 Timotheo 4:13). Kanisa la Kipentekoste linapaswa kuwafunza watu wake katika Biblia kwa uangalifu kama linavyowaombea.Our answer. Some of our churches have deserved the warning. Our answer is not to give up the Spirit but to join Word and Spirit. Jesus promised that the Spirit would teach and remind (John 14:26), and Paul commanded Timothy to give attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13). A Pentecostal church should train its people in the Bible with as much care as it prays for them.

Pingamizi la 2: Kuwatenga vijana na watu wazima ni uvumbuzi wa kisasa.Objection 2: Separating young people from adults is a modern invention.

Wengine wanahoji kwamba programu maalum za vijana hugawanya vizazi, na kwamba Biblia inaonyesha familia, si huduma zilizogawanywa kwa umri, kuwa mazingira ya uanafunzi.Some argue that dedicated youth programs divide the generations, and that the Bible shows families, not age-grouped ministries, as the setting for discipleship.

Jibu letu. Kuna ukweli hapa. Maandiko yanaonyesha wazee wakifundisha vijana (Tito 2:2-8), na kanisa linalowatenga vijana wake na vizazi vingine vyote linawadhuru. Hata hivyo vijana pia wanahitaji marafiki wa umri wao wanaoshiriki maswali yao. Jibu letu ni kufanya yote mawili: mikutano ya vijana yenye viongozi watu wazima waliokomaa, na ibada, huduma na milo ya umri mchanganyiko inayounganisha vizazi. Vijana hawapaswi kuachwa kwenye burudani peke yake bali wapewe wajibu.Our answer. There is truth here. Scripture shows older teaching younger (Titus 2:2-8), and a church that separates its youth from all other generations does them harm. Yet young people also need friends their own age who share their questions. Our answer is to do both: youth gatherings with mature adult leaders, and mixed-age worship, service and meals that bring generations together. The youth should not be left to entertainment alone but should be given responsibility.

Pingamizi la 3: Vikundi vidogo hulidhoofisha kanisa, huenea makosa, au huwa jukwaa la masengenyo na udhibiti.Objection 3: Small groups weaken the church, spread error, or become a platform for gossip and control.

Baadhi ya wachungaji wanahofu kwamba vikundi vidogo hupotea mbali na mafundisho ya kanisa, au kwamba kiongozi mwenye nguvu anaweza kujenga wafuasi wake mwenyewe.Some pastors worry that small groups drift from the church's teaching, or that a strong leader can build a following of his own.

Jibu letu. Hatari ni ya kweli, kwa hiyo usimamizi unahitajika. Waebrania 13:17 inafundisha heshima kwa wale wanaoongoza, na Matendo 15 inaonyesha kwamba mikusanyiko ya mahali ilikuwa imeunganishwa na kanisa kubwa zaidi. Chagua viongozi wanaoaminika, wape nyenzo wazi za kufundisha, kutana nao mara kwa mara, mkataze mtu yeyote kuwa "mamlaka" ya kikundi, na hakikisha kila kitu kiko wazi kwa wachungaji. Vikundi vidogo hulitumikia kanisa; haviliwekei nafasi.Our answer. The risk is real, so oversight is needed. Hebrews 13:17 teaches respect for those who lead, and Acts 15 shows that local gatherings were connected to the larger church. Choose trustworthy leaders, give them clear teaching material, meet with them regularly, forbid any one person from becoming the group's "authority," and make sure everything is open to the pastors. Small groups serve the church; they do not replace it.

Pingamizi la 4: Unabii na karama katika vikundi vidogo husababisha mkanganyiko.Objection 4: Prophecy and gifts in small groups lead to confusion.

Wakosoaji kutoka nje na wengine kutoka ndani wanahofu kwamba vikundi vya faragha, bila mchungaji, vitaruhusu unabii wa uongo au udanganyifu wa kihisia.Critics from outside and some inside worry that private groups, without a pastor, will allow false prophecy or emotional manipulation.

Jibu letu. Kanuni ya Paulo inatumika nyumbani kama ilivyo kanisani: "Manabii wanene wawili watatu, na wengine wapambanue" (1 Wakorintho 14:29). Wafundishe viongozi wa vikundi kupima maneno kwa Maandiko, kupokea unabii kama kutia moyo na si kama amri za maamuzi ya maisha, na kuleta neno lolote zito kwa wachungaji. Tazama Kozi ya 3, Kipindi cha 8, kuhusu utambuzi.Our answer. Paul's rule applies in the home as in the sanctuary: "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge" (1 Corinthians 14:29). Teach the group leaders to test words by Scripture, to receive prophecy as encouragement and not as orders for life decisions, and to bring any serious word to the pastors. See Course 3, Unit 8, on discernment.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Mchungaji Daniel anahudumu katika kanisa la watu wapatao sabini katika mji wa soko. Vijana kati ya miaka kumi na minne na ishirini na miwili hukutana Ijumaa usiku, lakini mahudhurio yameshuka. Vijana wawili waliokaribia utu uzima wanasema, "Tunampenda Yesu, lakini mikutano ni kelele tu, na hakuna anayejibu maswali yetu kuhusu shule na kuhusu mashaka."Pastor Daniel serves a church of about seventy people in a market town. The young people between fourteen and twenty-two meet on Friday nights, but attendance has fallen. Two older teenagers say, "We love Jesus, but the meetings are only noise, and no one answers our questions about school and about doubts."

Mchungaji Daniel anafanya mambo matano. Kwanza, anawaomba vijana wakutane naye na watu wazima wawili waliokomaa, na anasikiliza bila kujitetea. Pili, anabadilisha mkutano wa Ijumaa: uimbaji mfupi, majadiliano ya Biblia katika miduara midogo ya watano au sita, na wakati wa kuuliza swali lolote. Tatu, anawaalika vijana wawili watu wazima, ambao bado wako katika hali njema kanisani, wawe viongozi, na anawafunza pamoja na viongozi wengine watu wazima kila mwezi. Nne, anakutana na wazazi na kuuliza kanisa linawezaje kusaidia nyumbani. Tano, anahakikisha kwamba hakuna mtu mzima aliye peke yake na kijana, na kwamba viongozi wote wanajulikana kwa kanisa (Kipindi cha 10). Baada ya miezi sita kikundi cha Ijumaa kimekua, na vijana wawili wanaanza kuongoza kikundi kidogo cha sala nyumbani.Pastor Daniel does five things. First, he asks the young people to meet with him and two mature adults, and he listens without defending. Second, he changes the Friday meeting: shorter singing, a Bible discussion in small circles of five or six, and time to ask any question. Third, he invites two young adults, who are still in good standing in the church, to serve as leaders, and he trains them with the other adult leaders each month. Fourth, he meets the parents and asks how the church can help the home. Fifth, he ensures that no adult is ever alone with a young person, and that all leaders are known to the church (Unit 10). After six months the Friday group has grown, and two of the teenagers begin leading a small prayer group in a home.

MuhtasariSummary

Wapentekoste wanatarajia Mungu atende kazi miongoni mwa watoto na vijana, wakiwasaidia wazazi katika wajibu wao wa kufundisha. Uanafunzi unaunganisha Neno, Roho, sala, jumuiya na utume, kwa mfano wa Matendo 2:42, na hupitishwa kutoka kizazi kimoja cha waumini hadi kingine kama 2 Timotheo 2:2 inavyofundisha. Vikundi vidogo vina mizizi katika mikutano ya nyumbani ya Matendo, katika madarasa ya Wesley, na katika makanisa ya kisasa ya vikundi vya seli; mkutano mzuri hutoa ibada, Neno, huduma na mipango ya huduma, ambamo karama zinaweza kutumika chini ya kupimwa kwa 1 Wakorintho 14:29. Tunajibu mashtaka ya uzoefu wa juu juu, kutenganisha umri, kupoteza udhibiti na mkanganyiko kwa kuunganisha Neno na Roho, kuchanganya vizazi, kutoa usimamizi, na kupima kila neno.Pentecostals expect God to work among children and young people, supporting parents in their duty to teach. Discipleship joins Word, Spirit, prayer, community and mission, in the pattern of Acts 2:42, and it passes from one generation of believers to the next as 2 Timothy 2:2 teaches. Small groups have roots in the house meetings of Acts, in Wesley's classes, and in modern cell-group churches; a good meeting offers worship, the Word, ministry and plans for service, in which the gifts may be used under the testing of 1 Corinthians 14:29. We answer the charges of shallow experience, age-segregation, loss of control and confusion by joining Word to Spirit, mixing generations, giving oversight, and testing every word.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism (2nd ed., 2014) (Utangulizi wa Upentekoste).• Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism (2nd ed., 2014).

• Melvin Hodges, The Indigenous Church (1953) (Kanisa la Asili).• Melvin Hodges, The Indigenous Church (1953).

• Donald Miller na Tetsunao Yamamori, Global Pentecostalism (2007) (Upentekoste wa Ulimwengu).• Donald Miller and Tetsunao Yamamori, Global Pentecostalism (2007).

• Gordon D. Fee, God's Empowering Presence (1994) (Uwepo wa Mungu Unaowezesha).• Gordon D. Fee, God's Empowering Presence (1994).

• Jonathan Edwards, The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (1741) (Alama za Kutambua Kazi ya Roho wa Mungu).• Jonathan Edwards, The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (1741).

• John Wesley, "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies" (1743) ("Asili, Kusudi na Kanuni za Jumla za Jumuiya Zilizounganishwa"), chanzo cha msingi.• John Wesley, "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies" (1743), a primary source.

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