literature. Particularly appealing is the adult material on “ Christianity and the Cults.” This manual should be an excellent reference for any Christian’s library. For a new worker, or one who may feel a little insecure in the responsi bility of guiding a complete program, or in being a department superin tendent, the leader’s guide spells out the various details with such accur acy and finesse that nothing more is required -but a spirit of devotion and dedication to carry them out. Various stimulating helps by Gos pel Light are hard to equal. For in stance, there are Ethel Barrett’s phonograph record (free with each
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P a s t o r G i n M a ig a r i , President of the Association of Evangelical Churches of West Africa (S.I.M.), sent this pastoral address to “ all the churches of Northern Nigeria.” It is also a message for the Church of Christ in every land. 1. LACK OF BIBLE STUDY The Word of God is the sourse Of power for the Church. When the Lord was to leave His disciples and return to His Father in Heaven He said to them, “ Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, arid of the Holy Ghost.” But what did He add? “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19, 20 ). In Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 we read, “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” Obeying these commands w ill re sult in blessing and victory for the Church. The study of the Bible is not for ourselves only, but for all the mem bers of our family so that they may grow in the knowledge of the Lord and His Word, and not easily turn to the many false religions of this day Jesus Himself won victory over Satan by quoting the Word of God. LACK OF PRAYER The Lord said we should pray lest we enter into temptation (Euke 22: 46). In I Peter 5:8 we read, “ Be vigi lant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Christ admonishes us, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). In Mark 13:33 He says, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Jesus said that we were to pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). LACK OF WITNESSING We have all been saved through the witnessing of others. The last command Jesus gave His disciples was, “ Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15, etc.). Witnessing will strengthen the churches. In these days false religions are very zealous in try ing to win people for their sects which 2. 3.
do not bring salvation to their follow ers. We must send evangelists and witnesses with the Word of Truth to those countries which are still with out Christ. Let us go to our neighbors with the gospel. Let us also strength en our Bible Schools so that we may have more evangelists to send out. 4. SLACKNESS IN GIVING We in Nigeria have received sal vation because others gave their money. The Lord has given His peo ple different trades and professions so that from their earnings they can sup ply the needs of those who spread the gospel far and near (II Corinthians 8:11-15). A church that gives to the service, of the Lord is always blessed (I Corinthians 9:10-1). When Chris tians fail to give, there is lack of blessing (Haggai 1:1-11). 5. LACK OF COOPERATION The theme of Christ’s prayer for His children is the unity of true be lievers (John 17:11, 21-23). One or two trees do not make a forest; it takes many to do that. One stick can easily be broken, but if you take several sticks and bind them, you cannot break them easily. Let true believers join together to fight for our faith, for there are many who deny our Lord Jesus Christ, lying in wait to deceive the Christians (Jude 3, 4). 6. DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH This is similar to lack of co-opera tion, but there is something I would like to add. We are told, “Let there be no division among you” (I Corin thians 1:10). We often deny our name by our preaching and actions. A group some times builds a church near to an existing church with the purpose of drawing members to join the new church. Again, when one church dis ciplines a member, another church re ceives him gladly without question ing. We make politics a cause for enmity between members of the church as well as in the home. There is wran gling and fighting among us until the heathen -despise our religion be cause of it. Let us all live peaceably with our chiefs and those in author ity. In conclusion, my final request is this: Brethren, redeem the time, be cause the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
Gospel Light's presentations sample) describing how the course works, and handcraft kits from “ lick ’n stick” for pre-schoolers, to “ cello painting lamps” for youth adults. “ Little Ones Sing-a-Long,” “ Listen-N- Leam” records for all ages by Ethel Barrett, and “ Do-it-yourself” idea encyclopedias make one wonder how the teachers ever did do it three decades ago. But you’ll have to excuse me now for my young son insists that we try out Gospel Light’s “ People Puppet” handicraft. So, all there is left is VBS itself; but then there’s always next year to which to look forward, while wondering what will evolve next year from the publishing firms which have all employed some of the finest tech niques with a God-given ability and desire to make Christ known to chil dren of all ages! — Al Sanders Addresses of Publishers Gospel Light Press, 725 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, California Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania Scripture Press, 1825 College Ape., Wheaton, Illinois Standard Publishing, 20 E. Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio
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MARCH, 1963
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