The second session of Gongchen Academy, “Introduction to Bible Reading,” launched by Gongchen Church in mid-July 2024, has concluded its ten lessons. The course, led by the Rev. Jiang Mei of the church, aims to help participants grow in the daily reading of the Bible.
This session focused on key topics presented by Jiang, including the three mentors of biblical interpretation, the three guiding principles for interpreting the Bible, the primary literary genres within Scripture, the essential mindset for reading the Bible, the proper approach to Bible study, and the fundamental principles of biblical interpretation, according to Gongchen Church in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Jiang emphasized that the three key guides for interpreting the Bible are the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, personal reasoning and logic, and church teaching. She identified theology, history, and literature as the Bible's three primary literary genres.
Regarding the attitude toward Bible reading, Jiang highlighted the importance of humility, urging Christians to seek understanding through reason while humbly submitting themselves before God. She also referenced Romans 12:2, emphasizing the need for a renewed mind: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," so believers may increasingly reflect the heart of Christ. Additionally, she stressed the necessity of seeking the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, as the Bible is divinely inspired and represents God's voice to humans.
Jiang also encouraged believers to learn from companions, teachers, and senior Christians who have a wealth of spiritual experience in their faith journey.
After each class, believers engaged in discussions centered around the questions Jiang had posed. For instance, they explored how to apply biblical interpretation principles in their daily readings. Various participants shared that, after attending Jiang’s class, they became more mindful of key interpretive principles and actively incorporated them into their study, which significantly enhanced the quality of their Bible reading.
Academy" training program in May to strengthen the spiritual lives of ministry staff and better equip them for service. Sessions are held every Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the small chapel on the church’s first floor.
The first session "Practice of Devotion", led by the Rev. Xu Qing of the church, helped the participants gain a deeper understanding of personal devotion, clearer guidance on how to practice it, and have begun building a daily habit of devotion.
The third session "The Gospel of Matthew", is ongoing, taught by Rev. Ying Huifang of the church, a retired Zhejiang Theological Seminary teacher.
