133
March 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
I
SNotes on Ghristian Sndeavor
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B y M i l o F . J a m i s o n
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The Problem of Topics D URING the past three months, the effort has been made to suggest Christian Endeavor topics assigned by the Interdenominational Commission. In Jan uary, a concordant plan was used; in Feb ruary, an analytical method was given; and for March a doctrinal approach was presented. In the' April subjects, we are again faced with the problem of trying to adapt in some way to the needs of young people the topics and scriptures assigned. The church seems to be suffering from lack of understanding of its young peo ple and their problems. About nine- tenths of the material that is selected for the use of the Christian youth deals with subjects so foreign to their needs that it is little wonder they are seeking other sources of help and avenues of expression. A brief survey of the topics for April will demonstrate what is meant by these statements. On April 5, the subject is “Easter Messages in Literature” ; on April 12, “How Far Dare We Practice the Brotherhood of Man ?” ; on April"19, “How Can Churches Work Together?” ; and on April 26, “The Unmet Needs of the World.” ' Very probably, if all that was in the minds of the Interdenomina tional Commission who selected these top ics be analyzed, some basis for discussion might be worked out from these topics. But without this added illumination, it seems almost impossible to try to work out from them anything of a practical nature. Therefore, in the discussion of this month’s topics, we are limiting our selves to the use of the dates alone. The Questionnaire Method 'T’HERE are so many ways in which sub- jects may be planned for use among young people that the problem is one of selection rather than invention. The meth od selected for this month will again' be topic-centered as it was last month. But, instead of having a doctrinal approach the effort will be made to present thought- provoking questions which will stimulate the proper sort of discussion. In the use qf this method in the working out of an actual meeting, it is suggested that each question be assigned to one or more members of the1society with a request that they work out a brief one- or two- minute talk answering the question. The exercise of looking up the references will present the Biblical background for the topic. The leader should seek to keep the discussion out of the realm of the mere speculative and theoretical and in the realm of applied Christianity. The following topics have been selected for this month:
But the heart of the- Easter lesson is not found in the perennial resurrection and new dife all about us in nature, but rather in the once-for-all resurrection of Christ, an event which transpired more than 1900 years ago. Some will say, “How can that bit of ancient history af fect us in this day and generation ?” The answer is to be found in the many re markably practical lessons which the Bible suggests concerning the importance of the fact of the resurrection. This event, the climactic miracle in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, is mentioned directly more than .one hundred times in the New Testament. ' The following questions, together with the texts suggest ed with them, will present in a graphic way some applications which should be made from this Easter story. 1. What is the clearly stated relation ship between Christian faith and the res urrection? See 1 Cor. 15:14, 17. Why should the validity of Christianity rest upon the resurrection? 2. How is the resurrection connected with salvation ? Read Rom. 10:9, 10. Discuss why a heart belief in the resur rection is essential to the new life in Christ Jesus. 3. How does the fact of the résur rection affect the truthfulness of the tes timony of the writers of the New Testa ment? See 1 Cor. 15:14, 15. If the apostles were in error in respect to this great fundamental fact of Christianity, can we place any confidence in the rest of their testimony? If their testimony is false, what real basis do we have for Christianity ? 4. One of the important practical prob lems which everyone must face is that of finding some solution for the question of sin—past and present. One of the distinctive features of the Christian mes sage lies in its promise of freedom from the penalty and the power of sin. How does this question of the resurrection af fect the claim, made by Christianity, that it takes care of the sin problem? See 1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 4:25. If we are still judged guilty of our sins, how can we ever hope to be justified before a holy and just God? 5. One of the great practical truths of Christianity lies in the hope which it gives to those who have lost loved ones. If Christ be not risen from the dead, then we have no pledge or assurance that we shall ever be raised from the dead. See 1 Cor. 15:18-23. 6. Hope for a future life with Christ is one of the sources of real peace and happiness in this world of trial and suf fering. There are those who claim that Christianity should not be a religion of the future but of the present alone. What is Paul’s argument in this respect in 1 Cor. 15:19? Do you believe that his logic is sound?
April 5—Practical Lessons from the Easter Message. April 12—'Practical Lessons from the Life of Joshua. April 19—Practical Lessons from the Fifteenth Chapter of John. April 26—Practical Less,ons on Sin, Salvation, and Service. The questionnaire method will be used throughout all of the plans for this month, yet each week it will be taken up in a slightly different way. In the Easter lesson, it will be noted that the approach is from a more or less doctrinal stand point. The questions will present an or derly statement of the various elements of the doctrine of the resurrection with the practical lessons to be drawn there from. In the second w ak, we are considering the subject, “Practical Lessons from the Life of Joshua.” This topic has been in serted in order to present one lesson on an Old Testament theme, There is a tendency in most of the Christian En deavor material to disregard the Old Testament. In this second week, while still using the questionnaire method, a more or less synthetic approach has been selected. The references which are giv en in connection with the questions will cover various points throughout the entire life of Joshua and will show how practi cal applications may be made from these points. Ini the third week, on the subject, “Prac tical Lessons from the Fifteenth Chapter of John,” an analytical approach is sug gested. On April 26, we again revert to the topical approach, but still use the questionnaire method, on the subject, “Practical Lessons on Sin, Salvation, and Service.” Since the best method of exposition is through an actual demonstration, we pro ceed to the lesson plans for this month. — o — April 5, 1931 Practical Lessons from the Easter Message ■RASTER is a time of joy and gladness, ■*“' a time of new life and new things. All nature comes forth from the grim bleakness of winter into the new life of the springtime.
three different methods of approach to the
Spiritual Food I enjoy T he K ing ’ s B usiness so much. It contains much spir itual food. I hceve had it in my home for several years, and I do not like to be without it. I am more than satisfied. —From Valley Park, Mo.
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