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the problem found in “keeping from evil” ? 6. Christ suggests the commission of the Christian in verse 18. In what ca pacity was Christ sent into the world? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10). Should our emphasis be upon the refor mation or the redemption of mankind? Is there not a danger in placing our em phasis upon the results of Christianity rather than on the roots? While ad mitting the value of and seeking to pro mote all humanitarian movements and enterprises, is not the Christian’s main business the bringing of men and women to Christ? Is there not a danger that we make the good the enemy of the best? 7. Discuss the subject of church and Christian union in the light of verses 21 to 26. Is Christ speaking of mere ecclesi astical unity, or do His words go deeper? Is it possible to have real Christian unity in spite of denominational differences? What is the source of real union (cf. vs. 21, 23, 26) ? List some ways through which we can show forth to the world true Christian unity.
be measured in the time which he spends in doing it? b. Does God ever give any one a task too great for the time which is given for its performance? c. What is the secret of being sure that we are accomplishing all that God has for us to do (v. 4a) ? 3. According to Christ’s prayer, what should be the relationship between the Christian and the world? How do you in terpret Christ’s words: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (cf. Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14-18)? 4. Discuss the subject of serving and witnessing for Christ, in the light of His prayer (vs. 8, 14-18). As trustees of the Word of God, given to us through Jesus Christ, what is our task in a sin- cursed and needy world? 5. Discuss the subject of the Chris tian’s attitude toward the world (Vs. 14- 16). Should the Christian align himself with movements and organizations which dishonor Christ? In how far is it prac tical to practice an “other-worldly” atti tude? Study verse 15. Is not the key to
III. Christ’s Prayer for Future Believers. “Them also which shall believe on me through their word” (v. 20). 1. A prayer for Christian unity. a. “That they all may be one . . . in us” (v. 21). b. “That the world may be lieve” (v. 21). 2. A prayer for glory. “The glory which thou gavest me, I have given them” (v. 22). 3. A prayer for perfection. “I in them and thou in me, that they may be perfect . . . that the world may know” (v. 23). 4. A prayer for fellowship. “I will that they . . . be with me where I am” (v. 24). “That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may .be in them” (v. 26). Expression I n T he W orld B ut N ot of I t "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). There is nothing more needed by Chris tian young people of today than an em phasis upon the “other-worldliness” of the Christian life. We are not of the world—our citizenship is in heaven. We are here temporarily as ambassadors in a foreign land. The time has not come when we are to go home (v. IS). But even as an ambassador of America in a foreign country is subject to the laws of the United States, so the Christian should govern his conduct and measure his life by ' the laws and standards of his home land. There are too many Christians seeking a double citizenship. They are claiming allegiance to Christ, and at the same time they are entangling themselves with the affairs of this life. The need of the hour is a demonstration to the world of the vital nature of the Christian faith. We must live every moment as sons and daughters of the King. We dare not stoop to soil our hands with the debasing things of this life. Our supreme duty is to live and proclaim Christ as the Saviour of the world, the Lord of life. And through it all, we must cultivate a sense of “other-worldliness”—an “other- worldliness” that is practical in making us live every moment as though in the pres ence of the King, an “other-worldliness” that will give us a true perspective in judging where we shall place the empha sis of our life and service, an “other- worldliness” that will show us the fu tility of trying to reform the world, and that will set us at the task of redeeming individuals out of the world through the power of the omnipotent Son of God. Discussion 1. Study verse 3 in connection with the question: “What is eternal life?” Is it a thing to be measured by time, or by con tent? As we learn to know God, is there not open to us a new kind of life? Enu merate some of the characteristics of that life, in addition to the fact that it will continue forever. 2. In verse 4, Jesus says: “I have fin ished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Considering the fact that Christ was a young man, only thirty-three years of age, when He uttered these words, dis cuss three questions: a. Can the value of a person’s work 5. A prayer for love.
W. R. Newell onThe Revelation Series running in S d f V Í n ^ - 3 . n d “W c t Í t Í l l ^ $1.50 per Year 1721-27 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, Pa. A B ig -H earted B ible T each er w ho know s said : “ If yo u can g e t (W . R .) N ewell to w rite on th e w hole book (T he R ev elatio n ) by all odds do so . . . a n d p u b lish it in a book. A fel low g e ts som ew here w hen he re a d s Newell. H e ‘know s w here he is a t’ — m o st of u s don’t. W h a t D arb y w as to B reth ren a n d to E n g lish B ible T each ers, Newell is to A m erican B ible T each ers.” Other vital articles are published each month in this magazine: Our Foreign News—a monthly article on the situation in Europe as prophecy is unfolding; the 3-way treatment of the Sunday School Lesson is invaluable; frequent special articles on the great doctrines of the Bible make this magazine a real helpful monthly visitor to the home of the Bible lover. J. D. ADAMS, M a n a g in g E d ito r . I N S U R A N C E — S I i 9 o o E Your Patronage Respectfu lly Solicited FIRE, AUTOMOBILE, BURGLARY AND ALL OTHER KINDS OF INSURANCE Mines &MacKeigan & Anderson, Inc. 639 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California PHONE VAndike 7102
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