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T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
July 1931
c. Heb. 12:15-17; 2 Sam. 12:13-19. d. Heb. 12:5-12. e. Heb. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1 :6, 7. f. Job 1:8-12; 2:3-6. 2. Discuss the subject of testimony for Christ (cf. 1 John 4:14; 2 Tim.T:8; Acts 1 : 8 ). 3. Discuss the argument of the Phari sees as suggested by the syllogism: “God did not break His Sabbath law ; healing this man was breaking the Sabbath law^; therefore God did not heal the man. That their conclusion is erroneous is evi dent by the fact of the case. Compare this with the scientific axiom of some ra tionalistic religionists of the day: “Science cannot account for the miraculous; the questions, such as the virgin birth, the healing of the blind man, the resurrection of Lazarus and of Christ, are in the realm of the miraculous; therefore these events could not possibly have occurred, and the Bible records are incorrect.” 4. Discuss the way in which this man silenced the arguments of the Pharisees. Would the evidence_ of the miracles be enough to establish the claims of Christ as the Son of God? Are the so-called miracles which have been performed by various miracle-workers down through the ages to be compared with those per formed by Christ? 5. Consider the subject of persecution as suggested in verse 34 (cf. Matt. 5 :10- 12; Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:12; Rom. 8: 35, 36). 6. Time should be spent in analyzing and discussing the development of faith on the part of this man. Note the steps: 7. Discuss the paradoxical statement made by Christ (vs. 39-41). Is the sharp contrast between those who are blind and those who see as contradictory as might seem at first glance? Have you not dis covered in your study of the Gospel of John the truth of Christ’s words that those who disbelieve were only confirmed in their blindness, - while those who had the faith to accept were given their sight? Books F o r W orkers Am ong C hildren OJ? he superintendent of the Junior De- i q partment of the First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma, Wash., where Rev. Roy Talmage Brumbaugh, D.D., is pas tor, writes as follows: “The Story of the Great King is by far the best book of its kind that I have ever read.” This story is running serially in abridged form in the Junior King’s Busi ness. Glad Songs, a collection of sixty- seven songs suitable for all ages, for use in the Sunday-school, mission, or home, contains the books of the Bible set to music. It 'offers ohe of the best methods for teaching children the names of these books in such a way that they will never forget them. Cards containing the verse, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus,” are ob tainable at the rate of $1.00 per hundred. The books above named are 75 cents each. All are available from the author, Helen Howarth Lemmel, Editor of the Junior King’s Business, 536 So. Hope Street, Los Angeles, Calif. a. Blindness (v. 1). b. Healing (vs. 6, 7). c. Confession (vs. 8-12). d. Assurance (v. 25). e. Testimony (vs. 17-27* 33). f. Persecution (vs. 28-34). g. Worship (v. 38).
4. The Jews accused Christ of being both a deceiver and one who had a devil (vs. 13, 48, 52). Was the testimony of Christ that of an arch deceiver and liar, or was He “beside himself,” insane, and under the power of evil influences? What would His influence on the world’s his tory indicate in this regard? 5. In connection with discipleship and freedom in Christ, study verses 31 to 34. Note the order: a. “Continuing in His Word”—regu lar Bible study. b. “Knowledge of the truth”—a re sult of the study of the Word. c. Freedom from bondage of sin—the result of the application of the knowledge of the truth. 6. Discuss the list of things which might be classed as the “works of dark ness” and “works of the light,” as studied in your preparation period on Friday. Was Christ’s accusation warranted (vs. 43-47)? 7. Note the culmination of the argu ment (v. 59). What evidence is there that Christ had come out victor in His con test with the Jews? Summarize the argu ments presented on both sides. here is a simplicity and charm to this narrative that makes it one of the finest pieces of writing to be found in the entire realm of literature. On the firm foundation of a scientific demon stration the miracle establishes the claims that Christ has been making for Himself. He illustrates His oneness with the Fa ther by presenting unimpeachable proof of His deity. The dialogue between the Pharisees and the man who had received his sight is both fascinating and stimulat ing. The way in which this poor man was able to meet the vicious attacks of the Pharisees with his subtle argument and quiet irony drove them to. a desperation that would be humorous if it were not so pathetic. P rep aration MONDAY: Write out from memory as much of the narrative and conversation as you can, giving special attention to the exact or der of the events. TUESDAY: Underline prominent passages; memor ize one or more. WEDNESDAY: Write out the passages indicating the development of faith in the man who was healed. THURSDAY: Write a 200-word comment on the de bate between the Jews and the man born blind. FRIDAY: Prepare a list of striking phrases to be found in this chapter. Work out a prac tical application from each. SATURDAY: Study the paradoxical statement of Christ in verses 39 to 41. Explain what He meant. SUNDAY: Prepare a devotional outline on a por tion of the chapter. AUGUST 30, 1931 Sight For Blind Eyes J ohn 9
The God We Adore ow good is the God we adore, Our faithful, unchangeable Friend, Whose love is as great as His power, And knows neither measure nor end! ’Tis Jesus, the First and the Last, Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home; We’ll praise Him for all that is past, And trust Him for all that’s to come. —S elected . B lindness -—P hysical and S piritual ■ “A man which was blind from his birth" (John 9:1). What a tragic thing is blindness! It builds a wall about a man and makes him a prisoner to darkness. But there is an other blindness which is worse than that of the physical eye. It is the blindness of soul and spirit. How many there are to whom Christ speaks the healing word, but who will not respond by doing the thing which He requires! As a result, they remain in their blind condition, prisoners of the sin which walls them about. II. L ost O pportunities “The night cometh when no man can work” (John 9 :4). There is a worth while emphasis upon promptness in these words. Christ sug gested the importance of the time element in our service for God. There is a time when our work must be done, or it can never be done at all. The opportunities of today do not return tomorrow. The day of privilege is turned quickly into the night of sin and separation if we labor not. III. T estifying F or C hrist “One thing 1 know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). . Occasionally we hear Christians say that they are unwilling to testify because they do not know enough about the new life to make it clear to others. To those who hold this attitude, the testimony of the man who had been touched by the power of Christ is both a rebuke and a challenge. The man knew nothing of the ology; he was not interested in specula tion ; but something had happened in his life. He had had ■a definite experience, and when his testimony was requested, he stated in a convincing manner that which Christ had done for him. The humblest believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can at least make such a declaration. D iscussion 1. The question the disciples raised in regard to suffering is worthy of consid eration. To understand more fully the philosophy of suffering, study and dis cuss the following sets of passages: a. Ex. 20:5, 6; Rom. 5 :12-21. b. Rom. 2:2-11; 5:23. Expression I.
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