January 1931
38
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
! SNotes on Christian ßndeavor ! o— B y M ilo F . J a m i s o n .—— ■——•— • • « - ' " â
Preparation and Expression T HERE is a certain type of young peo ple’s work prevalent in many circles have concerning a particular subject. In a recent conversation between a young people’s leader, who holds a mod ernistic view of Christianity, and a min ister who believes that the Bible has;yet to be improved upon as the best founda tion for young people’s work, the modern ist made the following statement: “It seems to me that much of the emphasis now being placed on the importance of religious discussion by young people is a misplaced emphasis. After all, it is im possible for a person to discuss that con cerning! which he knows nothing. The average university student today has given no intelligent thought to the whole sub ject of religion. To him it is usually a matter of indifference and ignorance. Be fore he can discuss, he must first learn.” This .statement is significant because it comes from one whose entire background of religious training has been among those who have placed the primary emphasis upon the purely expressional method. There seems to be a general tendency in many quarters, in the presentation of Christian Endeavor and other young peo ple’s topics, to fall into this same error and to place the primary emphasis upon the mere expression of ideas without hav ing an adequate background of prepara tion. All that is necessary to refute this position is to enter the average Christian Endeavor society on an average Sunday evening when there are being discussed some of the regular topics such as: “What is Implied in God is My Father?” and “What is Implied in the Church as a Fam ily?” Intelligent discussion of these sub jects requires a real background of Bible knowledge, as well as a definite study of the passages which refer to the topics in hand. When, however, there is sug gested for the subject, “What is Implied in God is My Father?” the quotation, Acts 12:24-31, which in no way refers to the topic of the Fatherhood of God, the ques tion arises, “How can our young people be intelligent in their study of these Bible subj ects ?” The great need in the church today is for intelligent Christians who have a real, vital faith, and who can give an adequate reason for the hope that is within them. Literally thousands of our young people, trained in our Sunday-schools and Chris tian Endeavor societies, have no concep tion of what the Bible really teaches. Their study of the Bible has been most superficial, and their discussions of the great truths which it presents consist mainly in reading some little quotation or today which places the primary emphasis on self-expression. The theory is that, in stead of seeking to implant ideas in the minds of young people, the effort should be made, rather, to draw forth from their minds any conceptions _which they may
preparation of the topics for the month, but also in the general study of any Bible passage. The real key to this method of study lies in the analysis of the text and the application of that analysis to the problems of everyday life. After all, Christianity, in order to be valuable, must be practical. Only that which comes into the realm of experience results in real development of life. Because the Bible is so full of extremely pertinent sugges tions, it furnishes an almost unlimited field for investigation along the lines of pragmatic Christianity. In using the analytical method of prep aration for a Bible message, the primary requirements are a good copy of the Bible itself, and a notebook and pencil, together with some concentrated thinking. In ad dition, it is always advisable to have available a good Bible dictionary and a concordance. John B. Davis’s Dictionary of the Bible, published by the Westminster Press, Philadelphia, is recommended as the best handy volume of the dictionary of the Bible. Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary is also recommended. Added help in this method of study is to be found in a good critical explanatory commentary, such as the one prepared by Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown. However, a word of caution is offered concerning the selection and use of commentaries, many of which are de structive rather than constructive. With the tools in hand, the next step is to describe the actual workings of the method. This can be best accomplished by a demonstration, using the texts as signed for the February topics. The ef fort will be made to develop each from a slightly different angle. Jji * * February 1; 1931 2 T imothy 2 :1-15 r PHE topic assigned is “The Young Peo- pie’s Society and the Program of the Church.” A development can be made of this topic by means of subjects, assigned to individual young people and dealing with the question of how they can help in the general church program. However, we are choosing to present the subjects for this month from the standpoint of an analytical study of the scripture pas- ages given as a basis for the topic. This passage in 2 Timothy 2 lends itself to an analytical study and presents much material which can be used as a basis for discussion. The following outlines will be suggestive. W hat the C hristian S hould B e Description Characteristic Verse 1. A Son Affection 1 2. A Soldier Endurance 3 3. A Wrestler . Skill S 4. A Husbandman Patience 6 5. A Workman Thoroughness IS 6. A Vessel Fitness 20 7. A ^Servant Subjection 24
excerpt clipped from a denominational paper or religious journal. It is in an attempt to provide some sug gestions which will enable young people to make for themselves a definite study of the Bible and of the truth which it presents that this page of Notes on Chris tian Endeavor is furnished. There is nothing more inspiring in all the. world than a real comprehension of the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and its power to redeem men and women from the curse of sin; there is nothing more interesting in all thé world than a study of those great fundamental facts of life which are revealed to us in God’s Word alone; there is nothing more important in all the world than a real heart accept ance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of the life; and the only place in all the world that these inspiring, interesting, and important facts can be ascertained is in the revelation which has been given to mankind in the Bible, which is the Word of God. — o —- The Analytical Method Last month it was suggested that var ious Christian Endeavor topics can be ap proached from two sides : First, through the topic or subject announced for dis cussion; and second, through the text or scripture passage assigned to that subject. Using the Second method of approach, a number of outlines were presented, mak ing use of what was termed the concor dant method. This month we are suggesting another Biblical method of approach which we be lieve will be valuable, not only in the
Prayer fo r the New Year B y M, A .1 S pink Lord, may I be alert Thy whispered word to heed, That I may tread—whate’er the cost — The path where Thou dost lead. Thy promises are sure To the obedient ear; So let me wait Thy will to know, Nor hurry on in fear. Lord, lead and guide Thy child, However 'straight the way; Nor let me turn’ aside, or doubt Thy ruling day by day. Lord, in this quiet time Now give me what I ask; To work the work that is Thine own, Oh, fit me for the task! —Life o f Faith.
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