T h e B u s i n e s s getting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” In the Greek, one little word of two letters expresses the two English words “one thing.” A splendid message can be worked out by following the verses where this word is used in the New Testament. 1. The “One Thing” o f Devotion. Lk. 10:42: “ But one thing is need ful : and Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” 2. The “ One -Thing” , o f Surrender. Lk. 18:22: “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” 3. The “ One Thing” o f Experience and Testimony. John 9:25: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” 4. The “ One Thing” o f Spiritual Growth. Phil. 3:13, 14: “ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reach- i ing forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” A study o f the rest of the passage will reveal other words which may be made the basis of study. Hs * * January 11, 1931 My Idea of What a Young Man Ought to Be 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 15, 16; 22-26 T HE BEST WAY to form any ideas of our own is to find out first God’s standards. Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote two letters to his young friend, Timothy, in which he set forth an inspired record of what a young man should be. Portions of the second chapter of the second epistle of Paul to Timothy are suggested as the scripture for this lesson. - As a basis for the lesson discussion, use 1 Tim. 4 :12, 13: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example o f the be lievers, in word, in conversation, in chari ty, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (also verse 13). In making a concordant outline for a meeting on this passage, twelve words are suggested for study. They furnish an outline o f the two verses and may be an alyzed as follows: 1. “Let no man despise thy youth." . 2. “ But be thou an example o f the be- lievers : a. In word (speech). b. In conversation (behaviour) c. In charity (love). K i n g ’ s
586
December 1930
In the developing o f the subject of “The Ideal Young Man,” each o f these words may be looked up in the concordance and made the subject of a two-minute talk. Some suggestions follow : Y oung M an (Look up “youth” and “young men” in the concordance.) 1. The Young Man and His God. Eccl. 12:1: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” 2. The Young Man and His Sin. Psa. 119:9: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” 3. The Young Man and His Bible. Psa. 119:9: “By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” T he Y oung M an and H is E xample There are eight English words used to express the one Greek word that is here translated “example.” Each of these words gives a little different understand ing of the meaning of this word. They are: “ensample” (used 5 times), “ex ample” (used 2 times), “ fashion” ( 1 ), “figure” ( 2 ), “ form” ( 1 ), “manner” ( 1 ), “pattern” (2), “print” (2 ). Selecting sev eral passages from'this array, we can pre sent a simple outline as follows: 1. The divine judgments of Old Testa ment history were given to Israel as a warning example against sin (1 Cor. 10:11). 2. These experiences o f Israel are re corded in the Bible for us, to serve as examples (1 Cor. 10:6). 3. Paul was given as an example of a godly walk (Phil. 3:17). 4. Elders (pastors) should be “ ex amples o i the. ftockT (\ Pet. 5:3). 5. The Thessalonians were examples of a model church (1 Thess. 1:7). 6 . In like manner, young men are ex-. . horted to be. sober-minded, in all things showing themselves a pattern ( example ) of good works (Titus 2:6, 7; 1 Tim. 4:12). E xamples in W ord There is plentiful material under “word” given in the concordance. Addi tional verses will be found under “speech.” E xamples in C onversation ( Behaviour ) 1 Pet. 1:15: “As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Abundant material is available under each of the other suggested words, “chari ty, spirit, faith, purity,” etc. —o— January 18, 1931 My Idea of What a Young Woman Ought To Be Proverbs 31:10-31 T HE scripture selected for this lesson provides ample material for many effective short talks to start off the discussion. Among them may be listed the following; T he W oman W ho I s S trong Proverbs 31:17, 25 On first thought, the idea o f strength being a prominent characteristic o f the ideal woman seems strange. Yet twice in this passage (vs. 17, 25) this is mentioned as important. It is only 1 when we go back
In Rom. 14:19 we read: “ Let us there fore follow after” the things which make for peace and the things wherewith one may edify another.” The true follower after Christ strives to build into- the lives o f others. Peace with our fellow man is the result o f hav ing the peace of God in our hearts. This whole fourteenth chapter of Romans is presenting standards o f the Christian at titude toward doubtful things. We should seek to help each other and mutu ally upbuild (edify) the lives of our fel low Christians in all the approaches of life. A second passage, 1 Cor. 14:1, presents another vital result o f “ following after” Christ. “ Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts.” How little of love there is in the average Christian life! God is love; Christ is God; Christ liveth in me. It therefore follows that my life should be surcharged with love. The preceding thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians is a divine commentary on love. And we are to “ follow after” (pursue) this love wherever it may lead. The third verse presents a comprehen sive display o f the results of “ following after” Christ. 1 Tim. 6:11: “ Follow af ter righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Each could be made the subject for a whole talk. C onclusion : It is enough to say that “ following af ter” Christ is the .secret of keeping on the up-grade in the Christian life. (An illustration may follow, if desired.) Jjc * * T his O ne T hing I Do A Concordant Study of Phil. 3 :13, 14 “ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, for- Millions of Parents Could save millions of arguments over what their young folk should read by giving them this latest ad venture story Eyes in the Dark . B y Z enobia B ird Author of “UNDER WHOSE WINGS” Every boy Or girl 'will sit up nights
reading it, and the parents, too, when they get a chance. Cloth $1.50 B I O L A BOOK ROOM LOS ANGELES CALIF.
d. In spirit. e. In faith. ,f. In purity." “Till I come, give attendance: a. To reading. b. To exhortation. c. To doctrine."
Made with FlippingBook Online document