I. The Learning Attitude in Chinese Mingding Doctrine: A Never-Ending Pursuit
Striving Upward, Without End
- Striving upward, without end is the most fundamental learning attitude in Chinese Mingding Doctrine, applicable to all members and pastors alike.
- Learning is the key pathway for us to know God and restore His image. Without learning, we drift away from God.
- Learning keeps our minds sharp and active, preventing diseases associated with laziness (such as Alzheimer's). It helps us avoid thinking we have already attained, but instead, to pursue continuously.
- Learning helps us dismantle the old, carnal, and worldly logic systems and build new systems that align with God's heart.
The Importance of Growth and the Core of Shepherding
- In Chinese Mingding Doctrine, there is pressure to grow, but this is precisely good, because it concerns whether we can restore God's purpose for us to be in His image.
- True shepherding focuses on the growth of the individual, rather than external matters like marriage or trivial life issues. A person's problems can only be exposed and resolved in relationships and shepherding.
- We must have the concept of "constant upgrading," just as the Book of Genesis can be studied multiple times, because we do not believe we possess all truth. We must humble ourselves and allow God to continuously reveal.
Learning to Be Human and Living Wisely
- Many "foolish" behaviors in life stem from the "garbage" loaded in our minds, that is, carnal logic systems.
- Learning "how to be human" and "how to live" requires study, it is not innate. The purpose of learning is to gain benefits and edification based on objective laws, not based on our own subjective opinions.
- Chinese Mingding Doctrine has requirements for cell group leaders. Cell group leaders should have the ability to train others, not be satisfied with old materials, but continuously update and be responsible.
II. Chinese Mingding Doctrine: Characteristics of Continuous Renewal and Progress
Continuously Updating, Never Rigid
- Chinese Mingding Doctrine is a theology that is constantly updated and progressing, unlike secular popular theologies that may not have changed for centuries.
- When faced with dissenting opinions, we do not argue or explain, but frankly admit that we do not possess all truth. This enables us to accept criticism and continuously adjust.
- For past misunderstandings and practices, especially church-building concepts that do not align with the Bible, we must overturn them promptly, without resistance. Improvement is the norm, to more accurately hit God's heart.
Avoid the Bad Habit of Explaining, Focus on Improvement
- Explanation is meaningless because it hinders improvement. We should devote all our energy to improvement, rather than making excuses for our mistakes.
- Do not dwell on past achievements, but accept criticism and continuously adjust. The shepherding system needs constant updating and continuous adjustment as times change.
III. Problem-Solving as the Driving Force of Learning: A Never-Ending Research
Unresolved Problems Mean Incomplete Learning
- As long as there are still problems that cannot be solved (rather than problems that cannot be explained), it means we have not learned thoroughly.
- God's power far exceeds what we do. We are far from the "ceiling." Every unresolved problem is our "research project."
Adjusting Theory in Practice
- The healing and deliverance theological system is constantly updated because in order to solve problems, we discover new laws.
- Our vision, mission, and core values also need to be constantly refined and upgraded. This is a process of continuously adjusting theory in practice. We thank God that we always have unresolved problems, which drive us to continuously learn and progress.
Frankly Facing the Unknown and the Church's Positioning
- When stumped by a question, we should not feel embarrassed, but should frankly admit that we do not understand, then go and find out and come back to inform.
- The church is a research and training institution (even referred to as a "company"), whose core goal is to train people to have the image of God.
- Doing work well is not "worldly," that is a "garbage" concept.
IV. Measuring Standard: Whether We Are Like Jesus Christ
Knowing God Is Endless
- The standard by which we measure whether we know God is whether we live like Jesus Christ.
- Having the title of Christian but not behaving like Jesus is because of a mind full of worldly logic systems.
Continuously Pursuing Until We Are Like Jesus
- Regardless of age, we should not stop pursuing, but should strive upward.
- The pastor's focus is not on how much people contribute, but on forcing people to become more and more like Jesus Christ, pursuing the unity of the church.
- Jesus Christ is our "benchmark." We should judge ourselves by Him, not by our own comfort or preferences.
- Our view of salvation is "increasingly saved" step by step, rather than completed all at once.
Seeing Our Own "Filth" in the Holy Light
- The more we know God's holiness, the more we can see our own "filth." This is not because we are becoming more filthy, but because we have a holier standard of comparison, enabling us to see shortcomings that we could not see before.
- Seeing filth and removing it is always better than thinking we are holy but not knowing our own filth.
V. The Endless Nature of Theology and Life
Theology Is an Endless Ocean
- God has revealed the Bible, and we need to build a godly logic system. This theological system is endless, like the knowledge of the sea covering the ocean.
- Since science is endless, how much more so is theology?
Beware of the Culture of "Drifting Along"
- The culture of drifting along will sooner or later be revealed by God. God will work with us to reveal the filth, laziness, and "drifting along" mentality within us.
- Without growth, relying only on those "few religious tricks" will not accomplish anything.
The Church's Mission as a "Human Resource Institution"
- The church is dedicated to training people to be more like Jesus Christ and more in the image of God.
- Whether cell group leaders or senior pastors, we are all engaged in this "work," which is working with God.
- We have many "research projects," but what is important is to have a learning attitude. The training content will be continuously improved. This is a never-ending journey.
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