yourself these question^: ' “ Are the assignments clear and specific?” “ Are they easy enough for my age group to understand and do?” “Are they hard enough to be challeng ing?” “ Are they too long or too short?” “ Are there Bible references for daily devotions with a study guide using this Scripture each day?” Be certain that any individ ual assignments you give meet the requirements suggested by these questions. Even when the answers to the above questions are satisfactory, it still takes your enthusiasm, your definite and clear explanations to get your pupils to do their home study. Always take the attitude that they can, and, of course, that they will do the work since this is a means of honoring Christ. Let your students know that you expect them to do the assignments. Let them know you expect them to do then- best. Your attitude goes a long way! Primary. By the time a child has reached the primary age, it is time that he begins to form the habit of home Bible study in its simplest form. In class on Sunday show your copy of his book in which you have completed the as signment he is to do the coming week. Help with the unfamiliar words. In class have the pupils read the Bible story from their books and urge them to read this story to someone out loud at home every day. The first grader, if the book is properly graded, will be able to do this even if at the begin ning he “ reads” by repeating it from memory and it is only the picture that enables him to know which side is up. Junior. If your class is juniors— do not let them study their Sunday school lessons before coming to class. Insist that they study their lesson after you have taught it. This is always what is done in the public schools. If you have never done this, try it at once. It will revolu tionize your teaching! You will not have the problem of teaching some CONTINUED
Youth and adults may find it help ful to work out (and hand in) a schedule for themselves. Do you, yourself, have a definite time set aside? 2) Have a place to pray and read your Bible. Be certain that your students know that they can speak to God in prayer anytime, any where; that they can read their Bi bles on the busor they can say it ★ ★ ★
“ I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” You want each pupil to be come a “workman that needeth not to he ashamed.” Our personal de votional life including prayer and study of the Word is one way we can honor Christ. He longs for our companionship. Keep close to the Word. To know God’s will you must study God’s Word, for this is His way of speaking to you. You want your pupils to realize that Bible study must he done sys tematically and consistently “ if they are to grow thereby.” This requires self-discipline. They must put first things first. One minister starts the juniors out on this self- discipline when he presents their Bibles to them as they graduate from the primary department. He has them repeat, until they know it by heart, this couplet: Have a time and place to pray, And read your Bible every day. You can get juniors to form the habit of Bible study by giving them recognition by stars, by honor rolls, etc. But to stimulate junior and senior highers to study God’s Word almost takes a genius. They are so busy! School demands so much. Athletics, an active social life, music lessons and algebra take time. Com petition is great! Pray that the Lord will be made so real to them and His will for them so important that He Himself will draw them. You cannot drive a teenager to the Word of God. Make Christ real to him. There are four musts for effec tive Bible study. 1) Have a time to pray and read your Bible. Stress the importance of establishing a definite period each day to read and study the Bible. With children it may be necessary to help them plan their time. Give them a suggested sched ule fitting Bible study into their daily program and family schedule. How to get pupils to discipline themselves in study
H a n d s By Martha Snell Nicholson Have your busy hands grown weary? Rest, and fold them. Does their spent strength need renewing? Let God hold theml
★ ★ from their hearts as they walk along. But encourage them to have a special place to pray, possibly o n ' their knees beside their beds. For daily Bible study and prayer everyone needs to have a definite place. It makes your time with the Lord more intimate and real. 3) Have a system. In most stu dents’ books the daily Bible reading is listed and the assignments for study are given. If yours is an adult class or if your pupils’ books do not include this, suggest an outline of Scripture readings and some plan of study. 4) Have, the right attitude. Tor- rey, in his book, The Importance and Value of Proper Bible Study, says: “ Study the Bible as if in the presence of God. See God standing right there saying these things that are written.” How to make the lesson assignment In making your assignments, ask ★
29
F E B R U A R Y , 1 9 5 «
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker