December, 1941
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S I needs of young people’s Christian train ing. Under skilled guidance, the society becomes the laboratory in which young people learn to apply Christian teach ings. New tasks appear. New ways to achieve are found. New workers are trained. The experience gained will be used by Christian Endeavor “graduates” as they come into general church lead ership, step by step. - JANUARY 18, 1942 P U T T IN G L I F E IN TO O U R M E E T IN G S P salm 107:1-3; P hilippians 3:4-9 By Carlton C. Buck Introduction We must not confuse the words “life” and “pep.” One might mistake the term and think that pep is what is needed. We do need pep. But pep alone is not enough. Our Christian Endeavor meet ings need a life that stirs much more deeply. For instance, -a Consecration Meeting might be quiet and move rather slowly, but at the same time be filled with real life—that life which is vital. This kind of life in our meetings would solve many of our Christian En deavor problems. It would put the warmth, the glow, and the “go” into our societies; and the members would realize that they were experiencing fel lowship with Him who is the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). For Those Who Have Topics I. THE SOURCE OF LIFE. The Scripture lesson begins where we should begin—with thanks to God. God is the Source of all life, and we cannot expect to have life in our meetings if we exclude Him. A, Christian Endeavor meeting should be more than a group gathering, more than a class session, more than a mere discussion or debate. Our meetings should be times of con tact with the real Source of life. Recog-
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nition of God’s mercy and thanks -to Him for life in its fullness—these should be foremost in a successful meet ing. Praise and prayer should have their proper places in our meetings. Too often we neglect these very impor tant parts of a well-balanced service. The pre-prayer service with the lead ers of the meeting taking part will go a long way in putting life into our meetings. (Read and discuss Psalm 107:1). n . THE WAY OF LIFE. The principle of life that Christ set down in Matthew 10:39 will hold true in our Christian Endeavor, meetings. “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” A society must lose itself in Spirit-directed service “For Christ and the Church,” and in so doing the group finds new life in the meetings. The way of true, “life” is the way of Christ. Paul counted all things loss “for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Paul was willing to put all other things aside that he might “win Christ” (Phil. 3:8). We should not neglect the monthly con secration meeting, for to be fully con secrated to Christ is to be in the way of life. We must be sure that our en deavor is Christian endeavor. Christ- centered programs will put life in our meetings. To have Christ is to have life. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). IH. THE MANIFESTATION OF LIFE. This is a phase -in which we are all interested, for it is one that is'noticed by all. It is the result of knowing the Source and the Way of life, of being in living touch with Christ. Then our Christian Endeavor meetings—our sing ing, our praying, our discussion—will take on a glow and warmth that speak of life, vitality, and purpose. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psa. 107:2). When we know Him we have something to say. He is the subject of our conversation. He is the theme of our song. Another manifestation of life is growth. A thing that is alive grows. And when a Christian Endeavor society is really alive, it is a growing unit in the church. Young people are still at tracted to Christ if He is truly exalted. Live Christ and give Christ, and life will be manifested in your meetings. For the Leader S|Christ came to give us life and life abundant (John 10:10). Abundant life for a soul or a society comes from dipping into the reservoir of life, drink ing at the fountain of life, feasting on the bread of life, hearing the word of life, following the Prince of. life. Tests of life: 1. Is the society grow ing? 2. Are young people interested? 3. Do you have a pre-prayer service?
3. The members serve. One cannot think of the abounding Christian life without this expression in service to others. It is an outpouring of the love that the Lord Jesus Christ had for man kind. 4. Loyalty to our own church is the normal outcome of confession, training, and service, as our motto, “For Christ and the Church,” would indicate. II. BY OUR ORGANIZATIONAL SET UP OUR SOCIETY TRAINS IN: T. Originality. New ways to say and do. New types of activities. 2. Adaptability. Discovering the view-- points of others. Using facilities each member has. Self-consciousness over come. 3. Appreciation. Recognizing the abil ities of all members. Bringing out the best in each, realizing that church work is not the responsibility of the few. 4. Vision. Expect the impossible, through faith in God (Phil. 4:13, 19). 5. Evangelism. Hundreds of, young people, because of their vision of Christ’s will in their lives, and because of their practical experience in witness ing for Christ in the homeland, have gone from Christian Endeavor societies out into the mission field. Have any gone from your society? NOTE: The discussion may deal further with how our society trains us in worship—personal, family, group, church: in public and private prayer and Bible study; in business procedure; in stewardship of time, talents, money, and life; in home and foreign missions, recreation, publicity, music (song lead ing, selecting of hymns, etc.), inter racial good will or world friendship, citizenship ideals, choosing our life work. CONCLUSION. Correlation of the Christian Endeavor program with the Sunday-school and with missionary education is a necessity to avoid conflict and to serve the entire
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