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T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s name of God and the Roman Catholic Church during the time of the Inquisi tion, when thousands of faithful fol lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ suf fered every conceivable kind of tor ture? What of the sincere and earnest followers of Mohammed, who were told that the killing of a Christian was an act of service to God? What standard has been given us to enable us to deter mine what we should believe and what we should not believe? 5. Discuss the coming of the Holy Spirit. Wherein is the world better off because Christ left it than it would have been if He had stayed in it? What is the greatest work accomplished by the Holy Spirit (vs. 12-15) ? 6. There is often a tendency for us to lose sight of the eternal, due to the pres sure of the temporal. Discuss Christ’s statements in verses 16 to 22 in this light. Is not much of our trouble' due to the fact that we are thinking only of the few brief years of this earthly life, when we should be considering the eternity which is to come?. Is it possible to practice “other-worldly-mindednese” ? What prac tical suggestions can you offer in this con nection ? 7. In the latter part of the chapter, we are again confronted with some definite promises in regard to prayer. Can you ex plain why it is that, with all the wealth of prayer promises given by Christ, we depend so little upon this promise of pow er which has been given to us ? Analyze and list some of the reasons why you do not pray more. Is it because you do not really believe that Christ meant what He said? How can we go about cultivating our prayer life? OCTOBER 25, 1931 The Lord’s Prayer J ohn 17 T h e r e is no portion of the Bible more Here we enter into the holy of holies of the Bible and see into the very heart of the Son of God. This is, in a real sense, the Lord’s Prayer. Christ knew that the hour had come, in which He must offer Himself as the supreme sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. The burden of the sin of the world was upon Him. He was to stand before the judgment bar of God and receive the penalty as a substitute for every disobedient, unrighteous man and woman who ever lived. In this dark hour, Christ prayed for glory, not in a selfish way as man would pray, but in order that His Father might be glorified through Him. I n . His triumphant death and His miraculous resurrection, His prayer was answered. Preparation Before reading the chapter each day this week, considerable time should be spent in prayerful preparation. There is too much of a tendency to neglect medi tation upon the higher things of life. To rush into a sacred presence without some quiet thought is sacrilege. Let us beware lest we rob ourselves of blessings, through an attempt to apply in the realm of the spiritual the laws governing this mechanical age in which we live. MONDAY: There are four outstanding divisions
S e p te m b e r 1 9 3 1
3. His revelation concerning peace (vs. 31-33). Trust in Me for peace. Expression P eace in T imes of P ersecution "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might ha/ue peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The words of Christ are full of strange paradoxes. Here He promises His disci ples tribulation—yet in the midst of that tribulation, He promises peace also. For the worldling, tribulation, difficulty, and hardship mean turmoil, dissatisfaction, and confusion within. For the Christian, the Lord promises that, while the storms may rage outside, yet there will be calm confidence and quiet peace inside. The condition of peace is wrapped up in the words, “these things.” What are “these things” concerning which Christ has been speaking? The heart of His message of comfort is found in verse 7: “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” The secret of having Christ’s peace is found in having His Holy Spirit in control of the life. Christ’s peace and Christ’s power come through the advent of the Spirit of truth, the Third Person of the Godhead. He comes and dwells within, making Christianity a living, vital union with the Almighty. And with God within, why should we fear or be confused and troubled? “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Discussion The subject dwelt upon in these chap ters is one which is intensely practical and applicable to a situation which must be faced by most people at some time or other in their Christian experience. That is the subject of bereavement. Jesus was going to die. He would leave His disci ples. They were in great sorrow. The same problem was before them, which faces every one who loses a loved one in death. Answer and discuss the following questions in this connection. 1, 2. Did not the attitude of the disciples reveal selfishness on their part? Were they not more absorbed in their own grief and loss than in the glory o f 1 their Lord? According to Paul, it is far better to be with the Lord than to remain here. Is not a willingness to endure loss and hardship that our friends may be benefited and made hap pier a mark of true love? Since our loved ones will be happier with Christ than they are here, should we not glad ly bid them good-by, even though it may mean loneliness for us who remain ? When regarded in this sense, is not much pf our sorrow tinged with selfish ness in that we think only of what we have lost and not of what they have gained ? 3, 4. Discuss the subject of sincerity. How do you explain the statement, in verse 2, that there would be earnest and conscientious men who would kill the disciples of Christ and think that they thereby served God? There is a teaching abroad today that it does not make any difference what one believes just so he is sincere in that belief. Can this position be justified? Study the ex amples in history. What of the ter rible and brutal acts committed in the
in Christ’s prayer. Work out an outline of the chapter, noting the four divi sions occurring at verses 1, 6, 14, and 20 . TUESDAY: There are several outstanding passages in this chapter, which should be mem orized. (Note especially verses 8 to 10, 15 and 16, and verse 17). Select two or more of these passages and memorize them thoroughly. WEDNESDAY: Carefully analyze the first two sections (vs. 1-5 and 6-13). Make an outline, and write a brief comment on each sec tion. THURSDAY: Study the third section (vs. 14-19). Write a 200-word paragraph on the Christian’s relationship to the world. FRIDAY: Study carefully the last section (vs. 20-26). Write out an answer to the question: “What is true Christian un ity?” SATURDAY: Go through the chapter once more, list ing all the things for which Christ prays for His disciples. SUNDAY: Select some thought from the chapter to be used as the subject for a three- minute talk in a Christian Endeavor meeting. Prepare your outline, go over it carefully three or four times, and give it at the first opportunity. Analysis I. Christ’s Prayer for Himself. “Glorify thy Son” (vs. 1, 5). 1. He had given eternal life to those given Him (vs. 2, 3). 2. He had glorified the Father (v. 4). 3. He had finished the work entrusted Him (v. 4). 4. Therefore He rightfully claimed a return of His former glory (v. 5). II. Christ’s Prayer for the Disciples. “The men which thou gavest me out of the world” (v. 6). 1. “I have manifested thy name unto them” (v. 6). a. “They have kept thy word” (v. 6). b. They have known that My things are Thine (v. 7). 2. I have given them the words which Thou gavest me (v. 8). a. They have received them (v. 8). b. They have known I came from Thee (v. 8). c. “They have believed that thou didst send me” (v. 8). 3. “I pray for them . . . not the world” (v. 9). a. That they may be kept through Thine own name (v. 11 ). b. “That they may be one” (v. H c. “That they might have my joy” (v. 13). d. “That thou shouldest keep them from the evil one” (v. 15, R. V.). e. That they might be sancti fied through Thy word (v. 17). 4. I send them into the world (v. 18) ; I sanctify Myself (v. 19).
sublime, more exalted, or more holy than the prayer offered by our Lord in the depths of Gethsefnane’s gloom.
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