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
