talking it over with Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States.
maturity. There is no virtue in forc ing a child ahead of his natural de velopment. A wealth of reading readi ness activities are highly beneficial, and I am sure your son’s teacher will give him such activities to prepare him for more formal reading. Many children have been handicapped be cause they were pushed into activi ties before they were ready for them. Most parental errors occur more from thoughtlessness and from lack of insight than from lack of affection or concern for the child. W ITNESSING Question: I’m a student in a junior college where I try to witness to other students about my Saviour. Although I have been saved about three years and have talked to a number of the fellows about the Lord, about all they do is argue. How can I be a better soul winner? Maybe I need some psy chology. Answer: Maybe you do! One of the greatest privileges we have is that of telling others about Christ. Our high schools and colleges constitute two of the most important and most fruitful mission fields of the world. Concerning arguing, it sounds as if you may be doing a little yourself. It takes two. Some of the most effec tive witnesses on college campuses make special efforts to know and be come interested in certain students. Afterward, they give them a simple account of their own experience. A simple, sincere testimony is almost irrefutable. There is also great value in giving people well-chosen tracts. You might invite college students to meetings, to Christian social af fairs, to showings of Christian films, and to Christian camps. Like many of us, you may be placing too much emphasis upon the value of reaping % instead of sowing. Our joy should be in sowing as well as in reaping.
planned their own Sunday School every Sunday morning. She let the children out of the house by the back door, and they would go around the house and come in the front door. The mother would receive them into the living room where she had their les sons all prepared. A t the conclusion of “ Sunday School” the c h i l d r e n would go out the front door and come in the back door, take off their “ good” clothes and put on their “ weekday” clothes. This fam ily had to continue this procedure for several years because the husband and father would not permit them to go to church. In addi tion, they lived far out in the country where they would have to travel a number of miles. You w ill be interest ed to know that the children are growing up to be fine young men and women of God. W hy? A ll because their mother was a resourceful, Godly woman. Answer: I am sure that all of our read ers will be thrilled as they read this account. I often think that the most outstanding Christians I know are the ones who had to face the greatest difficulties. Thank you again for shar ing this experience with us. READ ING Question: Our boy w ill be just under six when he starts to the first grade this year. Do you think he is too young to start reading? Answer: That depends upon the in dividual child. However, numerous studies have been made in the field of reading, and it is clearly shown that the average youngster is ready to be gin reading when he is about six-and- one-half years of age. That means that some children are ready before and some are ready afterward. Reading is a complex process, re quiring considerable background and
I A M INTERESTED IN MARR IAGE— BUT . . .
Question: I am eighteen years old. 1 am interested in marriage and have a steady boy friend. But I have the feel ing within me that I cannot trust anyone. What causes this and how can I overcome it? Answer: Feelings like the ones you have usually stem from childhood experiences. You may have been dis appointed by people in whom you had a great deal of confidence. As a result, these unresolved feelings a r e still within you and you can expect them to continue unless you get professional help. If there is no Christian psychologist in your area, I suggest you have sev eral counseling sessions with a fine Gospel pastor or his wife. As you talk with him, you will undoubtedly begin to identify the experiences you have had which are shaping your attitudes now. As you go through this process, these strong feelings of distrust will begin to lose their hold and you will begin to feel different. You will also receive help from studying the Word of God. The Lord knows your needs and He can meet them as you read the Bible. You should also set up a regular time for devotions each day. As you grow spir itually, you will become a mature per son who is able to trust other people. RESOURCEFULNESS Question: In one of your columns, I read your discussion of the problem of making the best of the situation in which we find ourselves. I enjoyed your remarks very much and thought you would be interested in a family that I know. This fam ily was so situated that it was not possible for the children to go to Sunday School, and they wanted so much to attend. So the mother
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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