How Chinese Christians get closer to God

You gave Ma Li a discipleship resource called Abundant Life and she loves it. ‘It’s a great book – simply wonderful!’ she says.

‘The encouragement and help it gave me were enormous. After finishing this book, I have a deeper understanding of God and my spiritual life has grown.’

Ma Li is 36 and was born into a Christian family in Shandong. She started going to church with her mother and was baptised when she was very young. She later attended some classes in church and began serving in the choir and worship ministry.

‘When I first received the book, I saw that it was for new believers and I thought I didn't need it,’ Ma said. ‘After all, I’d been a Christian for a long time.’

She thought the book would be too simple for her, but a quick flick through revealed some very challenging questions. So, she joined a group and explored the teaching with other believers.

What’s inside the Abundant Life resource?

‘I realised that although I had believed in God for a long time, there were so many things I didn’t understand. But with the questions, studies and discussions with my brothers and sisters in the group, it helped me so much. I have learned so much biblical knowledge, and my understanding of God has grown deeper and deeper.’

Although Ma read the Bible regularly before, she’d always done it without a plan or any kind of study guide and she found she’d soon forget what she had read. Abundant Life hugely enriched her experience of reading the Bible.

‘This is extremely good. Now I am underlining and highlighting the scriptures that touch me when I read them. And I also make notes. The tips offered are very practical. And I also learnt about prayers. In the past, I thought praying was about asking God to meet my needs. Now I know that there are prayers of praise, of thanksgiving and of seeking. It’s like I finally know how to talk to God.’

The impact of discipleship

Ma Li’s favourite part of this book is the topic on the family of God. For a long time, Ma felt her marriage to a non-Christian was not going well. She didn’t believe in the marriage and sometimes regretted her decision. But through prayer, her husband has come to faith, and they’re studying Scripture together.

‘Although my husband was reading the Bible every day, he wasn’t getting the most out of it,’ Ma said. ‘Studying with Abundant Life is giving him a much better understanding of God.’

Having come so far, Ma’s heart is filled with thanks. ‘I don't know how to express that appreciation for him. I don't know how to say it. So I simply say: “God, you're so good”. When I thought I needed something, God told me not to worry. When I’m most in need, God’s word comes. God truly knows everything.’

You can bring this experience to more believers in China. Donate now to open the power of the Bible for someone like Ma.

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