533
T h e
R i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
November 1930
Christmas Lesson (The International Committee suggests an alternative lesson for December 21. A part of the scripture assigned was studied in the lesson for October 12, to which the student is referred. A brief outline and exposition may be sufficient.) Lesson: Luke 2 :l-20. (Lesson Text: Luke 2:8-20.) Golden Text: “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord” (Lk. 2:11). * * sjt I. The Heavenly Message (8-12). 1. The messenger— “angel of the Lord” (9 ). 2. The message— Gospel or good news ( 10 , 11 ). a. Its purpose— to remove fear and to give joy. . b. Its scope— “to all the people.” c. Its theme— “a Saviour.” 3. The sign— “a babe,’’ .etc. (12). II. The Heavenly Chorus (13,14). 1. A multitude praising God. 2. Spontaneous praise. 3. A glad refrain— “glory . . . in the highest,” etc. III. The Shepherds' Search Rewarded (15,16). IV. The Shepherds’ Testimony (17-21). V, Mary’s Faith (19) * * * A ppro ac h to t h e L esso n CEVEN centuriers before this time the ^ prophet Micah (5 :2 ) had foretold that the ruler of' Israel was to come out of Bethlehem. In the fullness of time, the promise of God was fulfilled. Throughout the world there was felt the need of a deliverer. Yet, when He came whom God sent to be the Saviour of the world, He was given no royal welcome. His earthly life began in a stable because there was no room for Him in the inn. There was no room for Him, either, in the hearts of the* multitudes, and at last He ended His life on earth upon a cross, * * * H ea rt of t h e L e sso n , I. The Heavenly Message (8-12). V. 8 . Shepherds in the same country. The first to receive the evidence concern ing the new-born babe, the king of Israel, were humble shepherds, probably keepers
BLACKBOARD LESSON
effective reproof of sinners. It is val uable for the correction of those who have erred. It is necessary for the training of Christians in righteousness. Other writ ings may be good, and some may, in a more or less effective way, supplement the Scripture; but the Bible can never be dis placed by any word of man. * * * L esso n Q u e stio n s 1 :1. What is an apostle? From whom did Paul receive his apostieship? V. 2. In what sense was Timothy a child of Paul? What is the meaning in this passage of “grace” ? of “mercy” ? of “peace” ? From whom are these things re ceived? On the ground of whose merits do we receive them? V. 3. Did Paul frequently speak of the necessity for thanksgiving? Are there any conditions or circumstances in which we may be justified in refusing to thank God? How long had Paul served God?' Had he at any time been misguided, even when he had “a pure conscience” ? How often did Paul pray for Timothy? V. 4. Why was Paul homesick to see Timothy? Was this feeling an exhibition of weakness or of strength? V. S. What is “unfeigned faith” ? Is it of any value to a child to have the heri tage of godly ancestry? Had Paul about this time known some professed friends who did not have “unfeigned faith” (cf. 1:15; 4:1 0)? V. 6 . What was “the gift of God? How could it be stirred up? When had Timothy received the gift? 3 :14. From what source had Timothy obtained his “learning” in the Christian faith? Were there any special circum stances that called for this exhortation to steadfastness?: From whom had Timothy learned? Is it right to have confidence in safe and godly teachers? V. 15. When had Timothy begun to learn the Scriptures? Is the study of the Bible important for a very young child? What wisdom of greatest value can one obtain only from the Scripture? Can any one be saved except through faith in Christ Jesus? V. 16. If Scripture is “God-breathed,” is it different from every other writing on earth? For what purposes is the Scripture “profitable” ? * * * P ra c tic a l P o in ts , 1. The value of godly ancestry and of early home training, especially in the the knowledge of the Scriptures, cannot be too often emphasized. If a child does not have Christian influences in the home, there is added responsibility— and a very heavy one — upon the Sunday-school teacher who has the opportunity to bring to him the old, old story of Jesus Christ. 2. Paul had many gifts and a many- sided ministry. He excelled as a pastor and as an intercessor. He seemed to be able to carry in his heart the needs of all whom his ministry had touched. 3. Paul’s generosity and breadth of sympathy are seen in his dealings with Timothy. Because he had a Gentile father, some of the Judaisers in the church shunned him. Had their prejudices pre vailed, this effective laborer in the service of Christ would have been lost to the church. 4. Other things being equal, those who have lives of humility, prayerfulness, and
earnest desire to walk according to the Scriptures may be trusted as teachers of the Word in whom one may have confi dence. 5. Sometimes it is necessary to “ for get the things that are behind,” lest one become either puffed up with pride or dis couraged by dwelling upon past trials and weaknesses. But it is always well to re member the grace God gave in Christ and the “gift” which was imparted by the Holy Spirit. 6 . A fresh touch from the Holy Spirit is often needed by the Christian worker to “stir into flame” the “gift of God.” This does not suggest merely an emotional ex perience, but rather the adjusting of the heart and life anew to the Spirit’s pres ence and power. 7. If every scripture is inspired (God- breathed), we have a clear and reliable revelation from God. If the Bible is re duced to the level of other literature, we can never be sure that God has spoken. 8 . Christian character can be built only upon the foundation of Scripture. “Re proof” logically follows teaching. Next, in proper order, comes “correction,” the making right of that which we discover to be wrong in the life. This course con stitutes true training in righteousness. 9. Never before has there been such a crying need for diligent study of the Bible, not with the thought, as liberal criticism would have it, that the Bible contains scripture inspired of God, but with the assurance that it is the infallible Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, to which men should give imme diate and complete submission. 10. A surrendered will is essential if one would understand the Bible (John 7:17, R. V .). * * * G o lden T e x t I l lu str a tio n A foreign sculptor was doing a bust of the Lord Jesus, and he was very anxious to know whether or , not his work had reached the standard that he had set for it. He took his little child into the studio and uncoverd the statue. The child said, “Beautiful! That is a great man, papa.” The sculptor was disappointed, and said to himself, “This will never do.” He re turned to his work and began it afresh. After a while he called the child in again, and eagerly watched the expression of the young face. “Oh, papa,” the child now cried, “that is just ‘suffer the little children to come unto me’ ” (Matt. 19:14). Our Saviour must be not only “a great man,” but the meek and lowly Son of God (John 20:31). Unless He were divine He could not save at all. “ The more the marble wastes, The more the statue grows.”
of die: temple sheep, devou t men who were “waiting fo r the consolation of Israel.” The w ise and the great men of earth were slow to r e c o g n iz e the Christ.
V. 9. Angel of the Lord. Angel means “messenger.” Accompanying this messen ger was “the glory of the Lord,” a light like the Shechinah which shone above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. They were sore afraid. The presence of the supernatural always terrifies sinful man (cf. Isa. 6 :5 ; Lk. 5:18; Rev. 1:17). V. 10. Be not afraid. More than once when Jesus was on earth, He spoke these three simple words to His disciples. He speaks them still to those who need His comfort. One of the first effects of the Gospel is to remove fear—whether it be
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