The Bible School

The Bible School THE BIBLE SCHOOL
By C. A. Norred When we undertake to define a word or expression, we should bear in mind the truth that aside from its etymological meaning a word or expression frequently comes to have a particular application. This tendency of a word or expression to run to a particular application is illustrated in the subject of this address.

Radically speaking, a Bible School is simply an association of persons in the work of studying and teaching the Word of God. From the radical point of view, then, any group of persons engaged in the study of the Bible could be called a Bible School. However, we all know that .the expression is not currently so generally applied; the expression has come to be used with a particular application. Throughout Christendom, religious groups have adopted the practice of arranging Lord’s day sessions, separate from the hour of worship, in which instruction is offered in the Bible and related subjects. Most of us can remember that several years ago such schools were called Sunday Schools. However, it is well known that' for several years there has been a well-defined and increasing tendency to refer to such schools as Bible Schools. Now it is just such a school as I have just described that I have in mind in this address,—I have in mind that which might also be called the Sunday School. But even all that I have and said does not introduce particular theme. The subject of the Bible School sets before us a very wide field. Under that head we might study the Scriptural principles which should govern such a school; or we might give attention in a general way to the opportunities offered in such schools and the resultant claims they make upon us. This last named work is the one I shall undertake in this address. This address therefore is to deal with our obligation to the Bible School as it' exists among us. What opportunity does the Bible School, afford? What, then, is our duty? These questions indicate the direction and nature of this address. As to the opportunity afforded in the. Bible School, I shall simply refer to the results which such schools have accomplished. The latest figures I have seen on this question show that eighty-five per cencum of Christendom has come through the Bible School. That means that if you could summon all Christendom be-fore you for roll call on this question, eighty five per- soxis in every hundred would declare that they came through the Bible School. But the statement just made becomes freighted with additional significance when we observe that statistics sho wthat in America today only one person in four, of the professed followers of Christ, maintains any connection with the Bible School. Only one in four! That means that as far as Bible School work is concerned, only one-fourth of Christendom is em ployed. And still another startling statement remains to be made. Records show that' the little group pointed out have accomplished the results named on two per cent-um of the funds contributed to the religious organi-zations. When we put together all that has been said in this connection, we have the amazing truth that the Bible Schools, while employing only one-fourth of the pro fessed followers of Christ and expending only two percentum of the funds employed, have been instrumental in accomplishing- eighty-five per centum of the increase in Christendom.

I have referred to the statement just' made as being amazing, and it is amazing. Yet there ‘are certain principles which afford an easy and satisfactory ex-plantation. We should remember, in the first place, that the Bible School offers instruction in the Bible. But the Word of God is the divinely appointed converting power. Naturally, therefore, the Bible School will turn persons to Christ.

We should bear in mind, as a further consideration, the truth that the Bible School offers continuity in study. Herein is a distinct advantage of the Bible School. A student who is regular and systematic in his studies will, generally speaking, make satisfactory progress. The protracted meeting, for instance, as powerful as it has proved itself to be, offers its instruction at widely separated periods and deals with subjects which, in view of certain influences, are often detached. But a correctly administered Bible School offers constant instruction in closely associated subjects. The two factors just named go a long way toward explaining the phenomenal success of the Bible School. Place a person where he is influenced to give constant and systematic study to the Bible and that person will naturally and normally turn to the Lord. But what I have said up to this point has related to the Bible School’s efficacy in accomplishing conversion. I should like to add the further statement that the Bible School is powerful in promoting Christian development. Although I have no figures on this particular phase of the subject, I can say that in my own humble experience 1 have been much impressed in ob-serving that in most instances the willing and efficient worker in the vineyard of the Lord is a product of the Bible School. And this situation is itself easily ex-plained. The student in the Bible School has constantly before him the ideal of Christian service. Furthermore, there are opportunities for actual service; for in a correctly administered school tnere is opportunity given to every student t'o engage in definite gospel work. All this is conducive to growth; for it is not only true that we learn to do by doing, but it is also true that we learn to love to do by doing. It is natural, therefore, that a person placed in an abiding atmosphere of Christian service should become an active and efficient servant of the Lord. So deeply have these principles we have just been considering impressed themselves upon careful observ-ers that it has become an adage in the Bible School world that the Bible School is a trustworthy barometer of the activity and efficiency of the church of which it is a part.

But, as is true in nearly everything of value, effectiveness in the Bible School requires that' certain ele-ments be supplied by those engaging in the work.

First, the Bible School must be operated along the lines of correct administration. There are certain laws that govern Bible School work; and if we hope to succeed in that field we should acquaint ourselves with those laws and respect them. And I can not rid myself of the conviction that just at this pint our minds are being turned toward a fundamental weakness m the Bible Schools among the churches avowing the New Testament order. 1 fear that I would be justified in saying that in the Bible Schools in the churches of the New Testament order not more than one worker in five hundred ever made any definite study of Bible School administration. Yet it should go without saying that if the Bible School is to succeed it must be administered by those who know how to conduct it.

Second, we must place in the hands of efficient workers an adequate equipment. Most of the Bible Schools I have seen have been expected to “make brick without straw”. First', in the matter of equipment comes the question of quarters. The ideal arrangement is for the Bible School to have its own building which was specially designed for Bible School work. If such a building is not available, certainly separate rooms should be provided. And certainly all buildings and rooms used should be well lighted and well ventilated, should be kept scrupulously clean, and should be made attractive. Further, such maps, chart's, books, cards, and other equipment as can be used to advantage should be supplied.

Third, Christians must give the Bible School their individual support. Adults who withhold their support from the Bible School do the cause of religion a‘double injury; for in addition to denying the Bible Schools their support, they inflict the further injury of casting the reflection that Bible School work is of little importance. I once saw this illustrated in a family I knew,—in fact’ we dwelt in the same building. The parents in this family were, in many respects, excellent persons; were comfortably situated in life; and resided only a short distance from the meeting house. Furthermore, the father was a deacon in the congregation. These parents had several boys; and without exception these boys were enrolled in Bible School at the earliest possible age. Also, without exception these boys became Christians almost as soon as they became responsible to God.

I remember that I used to find much amusement in listening to those boys preparing their Sunday School lessons on Sunday mornings. One of the boys had openly declared his intention of be-coming a preacher; and I took particular notice that he was the noisiest one in the group. The signs certainly indicated that that boy. would be a preacher and that as a preacher he would be able to wield with unusual powers! But' the music of that hour has died away—those childish trebles have turned bass long ago. And those voices have not only changed in character; they have been turned to other uses. The sad truth is that as fast as those boys grew up they became of no account to the church. It may be that you are thinking that I am falling into an unhappy illustration in that while endeavoring to show the power of the Bible School I am showing some very poor results. But in a very real sense those boys were not products of the Bible School. To be sure, those boys were in the Bible School, and became Christians but they withdrew from the Bible School. And why did they withdraw? The answer is easily found. If the parents during my long acquaintance with them ever sat in Bible School, I had no knowledge of it. As far as Bible School work, in particular, and Christian living, in general, were con-cerned, those parents were largely passive. As the boys grew up under this influence, their minds appropriated a certain measure of that evil spirit and when the boys reached the age where they exercised choice for themslves, they chose the world. Those parents made one of the worst mistakes they could have made. Of course, those boys are responsible for the choices they made; but in a very real sense, those parents contributed to their boys’ destruction.

It is not enough for parents to send their children to Bible School; they must go themselves and give the work their support.

Travellers used to return to America and relate that one of the strangest sights to be seen in the East was that of the Egyptian farmer plowing his fields with a crooked-stick plow drawn by cows. These travellers would refer to the background in Egyptian history; they would refer to the fertility of the soil there and the friendliness of the climate; they would refer to the great demand there for food—and then with a shrug and a moan they would remind you of the crooked- stick plow. But without any desire to exaggerate, I contend that before our eyes is a spectacle infinitely more saddening. Consider the Bible Schools in the New Testament churches! Consider those Schools! Poorly equipped! Conducted by workers that are largely untrained! Receiving the support of a miserable one-fourth of the people! Granted the disgraceful appropriation of two cents out of the dollar! And, yet, those schools are the hope of the church! I say that there in that sight is a spectacle infinitely more saddening than all the wooden plows of ail Egypt. This condition must be remedied, And I earnestly believe, just as I have indicated here today, that im' provement must run along the way of education, equip-ment and co operation. But I also believe that education is the first factor to be considered. I therefore offer today a plea for education in Bible School work.

First, let me address myself particularly to the gospel preachers who are here. Let me remind you that for the next twenty-five years you will have a large influence among the churches. Let me appeal to you that you make yourselves specialists in Bible School work. Master the principles of Bible School adminis-tration. Then as you go among the churches, push the Bible Schools. See that the Schools are correctly or-ganized. Fill the Schools with real teachers. Give the churches the privilege of seeing what successful Bible Schools are. To be sure, such a program would greatly increase your duties but it would also increase your usefulness.

Second, I plead for a Teachers’ Training Class in every Bible School. And let that class follow some course that will yield a knowledge of Bible School Ad-ministration. Unfortunately, many of the so-called training classes which have undertaken work have proved to be simply Bible classes. Certainly we need teachers who know the Bible; but we also need persons who know how to teach and how to direct a school. Let us see to it that our training classes meet the need among us. Let us have a Teachers’ Training Class in every Bible School. For my third recommendation, I shall offer a suggestion which I have not heard before. Let us have a Bible School department in some paper. Let that department be in charge of a thoroughly conservative Christian man whose training and successful experience in Bible School work fit him for a wise leadership in that neglected work. Such a department would be of immense value in disseminating needed information and in building up an adequate literature; it would be useful in promoting an enlarged inspiration in the work; and it would also be of service in guarding against' those radical ideas and overleaping tendencies which would almost certainly appear along with in-creased activity. And I trust that it will be observed that these items not only yield their respective result's but that they operate in excellent co-ordination. The special attention by the preachers will enable us to start well. The Teachers’ Training Classes will operate toward the creation of trained leaders among the members. The Bible School Department guarantees scope and permanency.

It has been demonstrated before our eyes that the Bible School is one of the most effective instruments in the kingdom of God today. Surely it is our duty to employ this agency to the greatest advantage. But the successful employment of the Bible School will require that we provide ourselves with a knowledge of correct methods, that we give each school an adequate equipment, and that Christians give the schools indi-vidual support. To the end that these necessary things may be supplied, let eyery preacher become an aggres-sive Bible School Specialist; let us have a Teacher Training Class in every Bible School; and let us have a Bible School Department in some good religious paper. When these steps are taken a new and better day will dawn on the Bible Schools among the New Testament churches. And may God speed that day.