Bible Seminar, “Family, the Source of Happiness”

As the Month of Family came to a close, the Church of God organized a significant event to highlight the importance of family. On May 30, the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple hosted a Bible seminar under the theme “Family, the Source of Happiness.” The seminar, held at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., drew over 26,000 attendees, including church members and local residents. Additionally, the event was broadcast in 15 languages—such as English, Spanish, Nepali, Cambodian, and Mongolian—via YouTube, where it garnered over 12,000 views from around the world.

The event buzzed with excitement as participants arrived early to mingle in the rest zone. Families and neighbors gathered to enjoy refreshments and casual conversation. At the photo zone, attendees posed with playful props like toy crowns and character dolls, while others took photos in front of a vibrant cherry blossom backdrop, holding signs that read, “I love you, let’s walk only a path of flowers.”

The seminar began promptly at 1 p.m., accompanied by lively music.

The host opened with a reflection on happiness, quoting Japanese author Haruki Murakami: “When are you happy? Murakami finds happiness in simple moments, such as wearing a freshly bought white shirt or enjoying the scent of freshly baked bread.”

This set the tone for the day, focusing on the simple joys of everyday life before transitioning into the event’s theme, “The Source of Happiness.” The first part of the seminar featured a 17-member chamber orchestra, delivering a moving performance that resonated with the audience. Their renditions of classics like “Over the Rainbow” and “A Whole New World” brought smiles and relaxation to the crowd. Following the orchestra, a choir performed songs like “On the Days When the Wind Stays,” invoking memories of mothers, and “Beautiful Country,” which lyrically celebrated the four seasons of Korea.

The performances were met with enthusiastic applause. In the second part of the seminar, three presenters took the stage to share heartfelt stories about families from different parts of the world, deeply touching the audience. They introduced the concept of the “Secure Base” in psychology—a source of stability and support—emphasizing the vital role of family in fostering happiness. The speakers also highlighted the biblical teaching that family, as a source of life and joy, exists both on earth and in heaven. The seminar concluded with a message of hope, encouraging participants to strive to become members of the heavenly family, where eternal life and the love of Heavenly Parents await.

“I’ve never been to an event like this before, and attending with my family made it even more special,” said Hong In-sook, a 70-year-old from Bucheon. “In times when it’s easy to forget the importance of family, I’m grateful for this reminder of family values,” she added. Yeom Ju-won, a teenager from Incheon, who attended with his mother, said, “The comfort and encouragement from family is a love you can’t find elsewhere. I’ve come to realize that family truly is the source of happiness, and I should treat my parents better.”

카카오톡 공유하기