I
m o v a c a n o * u t JAPAN
r 7 . Selisti ^ to cou n tl Through the summer, PTL Evan-^ I g t c Teams will be preaching t countless thousands of Japanese — distributing half a million Gos pels and Testaments. Remember them in prayer and support. „ tree ! WRITE FOR THRILLING ANDERSON STORIES
Pointers on the Lesson, H o m e r A . K e n t , T h .D. Helps for the Children, A l l is o n A r r o w o o d
Lesson material is based upon outlines of the International Sunday School Lessons •■opyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education; used by permission.
156 f IfT4i flVtnUE.nCUJ VORN lo.nv « LUITHERSPOOnBL06.PHILRDEIPHIA7.PA.
AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION Pioneer S. S. Organization of the U.S.A. A HARVEST of immortal souls
August 6, 1950 ELIJAH. A COURAGEOUS PROPHET 1 Ki. 18:30-39
annually rewards our mis sion to rural American youth. During the last 28 years, we organized an average of 585 Schools annually. Total enrollment of all Union Schools, nearly 120,000. In a single year, 170 Union missionaries traveled three million miles, with over 13,000 professed conver sions. Write for copy of our illustrated field magazine, “ TheSunday-School Mission
test. Thus in every detail he made ready for Jehovah to reveal Himself. “ He put the wood in order” (v. 33). God is a God of order and those who serve Him should be very careful to see that everything is done carefully and in an orderly manner (cf. 1 Cor. 14:40). Elijah, as God’s servant, seemed to he careful of even the little things. Then, too, the prophet did “ all . . . things at thy word” (v. 36). He sought to work in harmony with God’s revealed will. Again, this is a very important matter. Finally, the prophet labored with God’s glory in view. He wanted the miracu lous manifestation upon this occasion to make it clear to the people that “ thou art the Lord God” (v. 37). The prophet was not serving with selfish motives. He served to please God and that the people might appreciate Him more. Courage Rewarded 1 Ki. 18:38,39 “ Then the fire of the Lord fell” (v. 38). When did the fire fall? After the altar was rebuilt, after orderly preparation was made for the divine manifestation, after God’s Word was carefully followed, and after it was recognized that there was a true desire that Jehovah’s name be glorified. Then it was that God did a mighty thing. Do we want the fire of God’s blessing to fall? Let us make sure that we have the right heart attitude. Then we may expect things to happen. Memory Verse: “Thou shalt not covet . . . any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Ex. 20:17). The wicked king, Ahab, desired to have a vineyard that was near to his beautiful palace., The king asked the owner, Naboth, to either give him the vineyard in exchange for a larger one or to sell it to him for a fair sum of money. Because Naboth had inherited T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S Helps for the Children Elijah Rebukes King Ahab 1 Kings 21
Pointers on the Lesson For a long time now the people of Israel, who lived under the reign of wicked Ahab, had been trying to serve after a fashion both Jehovah and Baal. The prophet Elijah knew that any such endeavor was folly and that there must he a definite decision to serve the one or the other. Elijah proceeded to help the people to make their decision as to which god should he the object of their devotion and service. All Israel, having gathered on Mt. Carmel, were faced with the straightforward challenge: “ How long go ye limping between the two sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Ki. 18:21 R .V .). The people could not get away from the logic of the prophet, and so they kept silence. The challenge remains just as irresistible today as in the long ago. It must be either Jehovah or Baal. It cannot be both. That it should be Jehovah is clearly brought out in the lesson today. Courage in Rededication 1 Ki. 18:30-32 As if to identify himself with the people, Elijah asked the people to “ Come near unto me.” Then “ he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down” (v. 30). Ahab or Jezebel may have had something to do with the breaking down o f the altar. Carelessness on the part of the people doubtless had something to do with it. At any rate, the altar of God needed rebuilding. God cannot bless where He is not honored. It may be that some of us need to do a little repairing o f altars. There may be some things that we need to make right with God before we can expect Him to bring the blessing that we desire. It may take courage to do what needs to be done. It did in the case of Elijah. But it will pay. Courage in Putting God to the Test 1 Ki. 18:33-37 Baal had failed in the hour of testing. Elijah was confident that Jehovah would vindicate His cause when put to the
ary,” to Dept, of Missions, 18 16 -K Chestnut St., Philadelphia 3, Pa. With Christ Along the Old Bock Rood
The devil has two master tricks. The one is to get us discouraged; the other is to make us doubt. g . e . m . CHILD EVANGELISM CORRESPONDENCE COURSE is the KEY to a nation-wide need. Secure ihe necessary training for suc cessful work among children by enroll ing in this Course. Other profitable studies available for Home Study are: FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY by Dr. R. A. Torrey CHAPTER SUMMARY, by Rev. John Hunter NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS, by Dr. lone Lowman BIBLE GEOGRAPHY, by Dr. E. S. Young A certificate from the Evangelical Teacher Training Association may be secured through Home Study. Write for a Complete Prospectus Describing 17 Home Study Courses • Bible Institute of Los Angeles CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL 558 South Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Calif.
Page Twenty
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker