Alpha09-Chinese-video-synopsis
The Alpha Course is called the “Inspiration Course” (启发 qifa 课程) on the Chinese language video.
Title: What does the Holy Spirit do?
(Hosts) TR finds LZ up early exercising. She likes to get up at 6:30am. TR says that he is a night owl and likes to sleep late. He learned this from his Dad. LZ asks: “Have you ever noticed that people often learn their parent’s habits. TR said he notices that if he spends a lot of time with a person, he becomes more like them. Just like the old saying “Those who are close to crimson are red, those who are close to ink are black (近朱者赤近墨者黑). LZ invites him to get up at six thirty and come with her for a morning run. He looks scared and says he wants to stay a night owl.
1:28 Question | Are you more like your father or mother?
I’m like both, in the area of being good looking!...I think my bad side is like my Dad, but I have none of his good qualities...I look like my Mama, but my personality is like Dad….I look like Dad, but my personality is like Mom...I think my temper is like my Mom, but my IQ (智商) comes from Dad...The old saying is that IQ comes from Dad, and that’s true for me, but my appearance also comes from him….I feel like I am a compilation (集合本) of both of their worst characteristics...I am sometimes like my Mom in the trivial (琐事 ) matters of life,such as shopping and bargaining 砍价...I am like my mom in the five senses, eyes, nose etc. She is very 急性的, intense and reactive, and I am also, generally speaking quick to argue…
2:43 Being Born Again: (photo of long rowboat on lake) Jesus said: ““Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3) Then Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews asked “How can someone be born when they are old?”“Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus then answered: “ Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit…. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5, 7) TR: Jesus is the first person to talk (谈论) about being born again. Born again seems to be about a man and woman combining to produce a new life. When God’s Spirit and a person’s spirit combine, this brings a new spiritual life. Jesus said that experiencing the Holy Spirit is like being born again. When we are born again we then come to life. This is the start of our new life.
3:29 (Testimony ) I began to spend time in jail at 18. That was for selling drugs. Every month I sold about 98 kilos and made about forty or fifty thousand Singapore dollars. Even though people on the street really envied my lifestyle, they didn’t know that I was tired 厌倦 of my life. This was because getting out of bed every day was only about drugs. I was on drugs every moment of my life. Actually when I was arrested, I knew I could be sentenced to death. But amazingly I was only sentenced to 19 and a half years. The judge said: “I will give you a chance for a new life.” While in prison, all the inmates wanted to take the counseling class. 辅导 Fǔdǎo. I chose to go to a Christian counseling class. Because of this I came in contact with the Bible. When I came to the passage in Romans that says: ““I have the desire
to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing” (Rom 7:18-19. When I read that passage, I wondered how that person could know me so well! Then, I wanted to know this Jesus. I went back to my room and told God that I sincerely wanted to change and asked him to help me. After that I gradually received more power in my heart to overcome my evil thoughts. Later very slowly my heart had peace. Then I knew I had received the answer to my prayers. As a drug seller everything I did was only for myself and to hurt others. But now believing in Jesus, what I do has real meaning.
6:02 (the boat comes ashore) Romans 8:14-16 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Through the Holy Spirit we have been brought into God’s great family. Thus, we are God’s sons and daughters. Not only that, but we are heirs 继承人.” There is no higher position than that. Jesus called God his “Abba”, which is very intimate term. Even more amazing is that we can have an intimate relationship with this kind God we call God our “Papa”.
7:01 (TESTIMONY) When I was seven my father passed away. Then when I was eight my mother also passed away, and I went to the Fuzhou orphanage. All told, I only had 7 or 8 years of family life. My current foster father, mother and brothers often go traveling. I don’t know why but they don’t take me along. Once when they were preparing for a trip, I asked them where they were going. I don’t know why, but my Dad would not tell me. I kept asking. Then he was so annoyed, that he said” because you are not my own child”. These words were like a sword in my heart. Later, I realized that no matter how hard I try for acceptance, I will always feel abandoned. These experiences when young influenced me to become an over-sensitive person with low-self esteem. When people yelled at me or ridiculed me as an unwanted child I pretended not to care. But my heart was very wounded. After graduating from middle school I met some Christians from Hong Kong. Once they asked me whether I thought that these experiences were just random. That was the first time I actually began to reflect over my life. I realized that in all my experiences, I never went astray (误入歧途 Wù rù qítú ) and never became a rotten kid. Plus was never sold off. I realized that without Heaven’s protection and care this would never have been the case. Two months after that, I experienced a deep moving by the Holy Spirit. Then I felt that God truly existed. Then when someone asked me if I wanted to receive Jesus, I said yes. That day I also received baptism. While being baptized, I could not stop crying, the feeling was like a window in my heart opened, so that love could come in. I felt safe and loved. This made me feel that I was no longer an unwanted orphan. Instead I was God’s child. I have a Father in heaven, who really, really loves me. Even more, he has so much power that he can lead and guide me for my entire life..
9:48. QUESTION | WHAT IS IT THAT YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
It seemed like my parents knew everything, sort of like superman...my parents gave me these good looking eyebrows….I like that they like me…..I like how my parents are uncomplicated, because being that way makes life less complicated, and being uncomplicated makes it easier for them to be happy….My parents say, “You are too fat, you are too fat. Then after a while they say ”Eat some more, eat a bit more, eat this.” They have good food….My parents understand what my underlying motives are when I do something that looks good. This is something I like about them…..I like that even though my parents were poor before, they still are willing to lend money to people in need. My Dad says: Even though I don’t make a lot of money, I still make it easier than they do. He also says the money you make you should spend on others, not on your self…
10:51 (Town beside a lake; Hosts cut apples) TR says to LZ: You said that if you spend a lot of time with people you become more like them. I find that with my wife, not only our habits and tone of voice 语气, become more similar, but also ways off responding to things 联想法, and personality. LZ answers: Right! Some people even start to look more like each other. So there is a word called 夫妻相 Fūqī xiāng which points to the similarities in look and attitude that Husband and wife often share. TR: It is the same in my relationship with God. When I spend more time with God, the Holy Spirit will renew us to become more like Jesus.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:18: And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit slowly forms our character to become more and more like Jesus: Galatians 5:22-23 tells us:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
These qualities (特征 ) are part of Jesus’s personality. As the Holy Spirit works in our life we will become more like Jesus and also have 具备 these qualities. When the Holy Spirit is at work, fruits of the Spirit such as love will be produced. We will love God and people more and more. The Spirit will also produce Joy. Joy is not the same as happiness. Becoming a Christian does not mean that afterwards everything in our life will be joyful and prosperous. We will encounter all kinds of challenge. What God promised is joy which is much deeper than happiness. It is something that a difficult situation cannot take away. God has also promised us peace. Not just a superficial peace, but a peace that endures through hardship. In the midst of suffering your inner being remains calm 淡定 Dàndìng. This is a supernatural peace.
In addition God will give us unity. Ephesians 4:3-6 says: “ There is one body and one Spirit,
just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
13:35 If a person trusts Jesus they are a Christian. They are a brother or sister in the Lord. We are like family members, united as one in Christ. The Holy Spirit will repair 修复 and heal our relationships with people. He will bring unity to our marriages, families, and friendships, and bring more closeness and harmony in all these relationships.
14:27 (Different people say what they like about attending the weekend retreat) The first time I heard of an Alpha Weekend, I thought it was a team building activity. 团建的活动. MAN: I am a bit shy so I have many misgivings. 顾虑. I really don’t now much about how to deal with 交道 people MAN 2 - Before, I did not believe in God. If I had been asked to attend this kind of activity I would have felt strange. (Woman 2: I thought, “Well its Saturday, I don’t have much to do anyway, so, why not go? Maybe I’ll get to know some friends. Woman 3: The first time I heard of the Qifa Weekend Retreat, I really wanted to come. I thought I’ll get to know a lot of different people. Man 3...The weekend camp is a a great experience. I think that everyone should come try 体验 a weekend. It was only after I went that I discovered that God loves me. ...(people continue to express how much they like the weekend retreats)
15:55 (Retreat mealtime outdoors) TR explains that every family member has different talents.才干 This allows Christ’s body to thrive (兴旺) This is like 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Hosts explain: Every one of us can possesses a spiritual gift. When we use our gifts together, our church will be filled with vitality. 活力 The first book of the Bible is Genesis. The first chapter mentions God’s Spirit. Also in the very last book, Revelation 22:17 it says: “The Spirit and the Bride say ”Come”. The bride symbolizes the church. Those listening also should say ‘Come!” Those who are thirsty should also come. Those who want to can all come and drink the water of life without cost. This is an invitation. It is given to everyone to come and experience this amazingly close relationship. Come and enjoy God’s deep, deep love. Come and enter God’s loving embrace!
17:52 SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION | How do you think about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Which ones would you like to have?
Title: What does the Holy Spirit do?
(Hosts) TR finds LZ up early exercising. She likes to get up at 6:30am. TR says that he is a night owl and likes to sleep late. He learned this from his Dad. LZ asks: “Have you ever noticed that people often learn their parent’s habits. TR said he notices that if he spends a lot of time with a person, he becomes more like them. Just like the old saying “Those who are close to crimson are red, those who are close to ink are black (近朱者赤近墨者黑). LZ invites him to get up at six thirty and come with her for a morning run. He looks scared and says he wants to stay a night owl.
1:28 Question | Are you more like your father or mother?
I’m like both, in the area of being good looking!...I think my bad side is like my Dad, but I have none of his good qualities...I look like my Mama, but my personality is like Dad….I look like Dad, but my personality is like Mom...I think my temper is like my Mom, but my IQ (智商) comes from Dad...The old saying is that IQ comes from Dad, and that’s true for me, but my appearance also comes from him….I feel like I am a compilation (集合本) of both of their worst characteristics...I am sometimes like my Mom in the trivial (琐事 ) matters of life,such as shopping and bargaining 砍价...I am like my mom in the five senses, eyes, nose etc. She is very 急性的, intense and reactive, and I am also, generally speaking quick to argue…
2:43 Being Born Again: (photo of long rowboat on lake) Jesus said: ““Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3) Then Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews asked “How can someone be born when they are old?”“Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus then answered: “ Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit…. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5, 7) TR: Jesus is the first person to talk (谈论) about being born again. Born again seems to be about a man and woman combining to produce a new life. When God’s Spirit and a person’s spirit combine, this brings a new spiritual life. Jesus said that experiencing the Holy Spirit is like being born again. When we are born again we then come to life. This is the start of our new life.
3:29 (Testimony ) I began to spend time in jail at 18. That was for selling drugs. Every month I sold about 98 kilos and made about forty or fifty thousand Singapore dollars. Even though people on the street really envied my lifestyle, they didn’t know that I was tired 厌倦 of my life. This was because getting out of bed every day was only about drugs. I was on drugs every moment of my life. Actually when I was arrested, I knew I could be sentenced to death. But amazingly I was only sentenced to 19 and a half years. The judge said: “I will give you a chance for a new life.” While in prison, all the inmates wanted to take the counseling class. 辅导 Fǔdǎo. I chose to go to a Christian counseling class. Because of this I came in contact with the Bible. When I came to the passage in Romans that says: ““I have the desire
to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing” (Rom 7:18-19. When I read that passage, I wondered how that person could know me so well! Then, I wanted to know this Jesus. I went back to my room and told God that I sincerely wanted to change and asked him to help me. After that I gradually received more power in my heart to overcome my evil thoughts. Later very slowly my heart had peace. Then I knew I had received the answer to my prayers. As a drug seller everything I did was only for myself and to hurt others. But now believing in Jesus, what I do has real meaning.
6:02 (the boat comes ashore) Romans 8:14-16 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Through the Holy Spirit we have been brought into God’s great family. Thus, we are God’s sons and daughters. Not only that, but we are heirs 继承人.” There is no higher position than that. Jesus called God his “Abba”, which is very intimate term. Even more amazing is that we can have an intimate relationship with this kind God we call God our “Papa”.
7:01 (TESTIMONY) When I was seven my father passed away. Then when I was eight my mother also passed away, and I went to the Fuzhou orphanage. All told, I only had 7 or 8 years of family life. My current foster father, mother and brothers often go traveling. I don’t know why but they don’t take me along. Once when they were preparing for a trip, I asked them where they were going. I don’t know why, but my Dad would not tell me. I kept asking. Then he was so annoyed, that he said” because you are not my own child”. These words were like a sword in my heart. Later, I realized that no matter how hard I try for acceptance, I will always feel abandoned. These experiences when young influenced me to become an over-sensitive person with low-self esteem. When people yelled at me or ridiculed me as an unwanted child I pretended not to care. But my heart was very wounded. After graduating from middle school I met some Christians from Hong Kong. Once they asked me whether I thought that these experiences were just random. That was the first time I actually began to reflect over my life. I realized that in all my experiences, I never went astray (误入歧途 Wù rù qítú ) and never became a rotten kid. Plus was never sold off. I realized that without Heaven’s protection and care this would never have been the case. Two months after that, I experienced a deep moving by the Holy Spirit. Then I felt that God truly existed. Then when someone asked me if I wanted to receive Jesus, I said yes. That day I also received baptism. While being baptized, I could not stop crying, the feeling was like a window in my heart opened, so that love could come in. I felt safe and loved. This made me feel that I was no longer an unwanted orphan. Instead I was God’s child. I have a Father in heaven, who really, really loves me. Even more, he has so much power that he can lead and guide me for my entire life..
9:48. QUESTION | WHAT IS IT THAT YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
It seemed like my parents knew everything, sort of like superman...my parents gave me these good looking eyebrows….I like that they like me…..I like how my parents are uncomplicated, because being that way makes life less complicated, and being uncomplicated makes it easier for them to be happy….My parents say, “You are too fat, you are too fat. Then after a while they say ”Eat some more, eat a bit more, eat this.” They have good food….My parents understand what my underlying motives are when I do something that looks good. This is something I like about them…..I like that even though my parents were poor before, they still are willing to lend money to people in need. My Dad says: Even though I don’t make a lot of money, I still make it easier than they do. He also says the money you make you should spend on others, not on your self…
10:51 (Town beside a lake; Hosts cut apples) TR says to LZ: You said that if you spend a lot of time with people you become more like them. I find that with my wife, not only our habits and tone of voice 语气, become more similar, but also ways off responding to things 联想法, and personality. LZ answers: Right! Some people even start to look more like each other. So there is a word called 夫妻相 Fūqī xiāng which points to the similarities in look and attitude that Husband and wife often share. TR: It is the same in my relationship with God. When I spend more time with God, the Holy Spirit will renew us to become more like Jesus.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:18: And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit slowly forms our character to become more and more like Jesus: Galatians 5:22-23 tells us:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
These qualities (特征 ) are part of Jesus’s personality. As the Holy Spirit works in our life we will become more like Jesus and also have 具备 these qualities. When the Holy Spirit is at work, fruits of the Spirit such as love will be produced. We will love God and people more and more. The Spirit will also produce Joy. Joy is not the same as happiness. Becoming a Christian does not mean that afterwards everything in our life will be joyful and prosperous. We will encounter all kinds of challenge. What God promised is joy which is much deeper than happiness. It is something that a difficult situation cannot take away. God has also promised us peace. Not just a superficial peace, but a peace that endures through hardship. In the midst of suffering your inner being remains calm 淡定 Dàndìng. This is a supernatural peace.
In addition God will give us unity. Ephesians 4:3-6 says: “ There is one body and one Spirit,
just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
13:35 If a person trusts Jesus they are a Christian. They are a brother or sister in the Lord. We are like family members, united as one in Christ. The Holy Spirit will repair 修复 and heal our relationships with people. He will bring unity to our marriages, families, and friendships, and bring more closeness and harmony in all these relationships.
14:27 (Different people say what they like about attending the weekend retreat) The first time I heard of an Alpha Weekend, I thought it was a team building activity. 团建的活动. MAN: I am a bit shy so I have many misgivings. 顾虑. I really don’t now much about how to deal with 交道 people MAN 2 - Before, I did not believe in God. If I had been asked to attend this kind of activity I would have felt strange. (Woman 2: I thought, “Well its Saturday, I don’t have much to do anyway, so, why not go? Maybe I’ll get to know some friends. Woman 3: The first time I heard of the Qifa Weekend Retreat, I really wanted to come. I thought I’ll get to know a lot of different people. Man 3...The weekend camp is a a great experience. I think that everyone should come try 体验 a weekend. It was only after I went that I discovered that God loves me. ...(people continue to express how much they like the weekend retreats)
15:55 (Retreat mealtime outdoors) TR explains that every family member has different talents.才干 This allows Christ’s body to thrive (兴旺) This is like 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Hosts explain: Every one of us can possesses a spiritual gift. When we use our gifts together, our church will be filled with vitality. 活力 The first book of the Bible is Genesis. The first chapter mentions God’s Spirit. Also in the very last book, Revelation 22:17 it says: “The Spirit and the Bride say ”Come”. The bride symbolizes the church. Those listening also should say ‘Come!” Those who are thirsty should also come. Those who want to can all come and drink the water of life without cost. This is an invitation. It is given to everyone to come and experience this amazingly close relationship. Come and enjoy God’s deep, deep love. Come and enter God’s loving embrace!
17:52 SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION | How do you think about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Which ones would you like to have?