08 - Chapter 8
CHAPTER VIII PASTOR’S TRAINING-CLASSES
Pastor Evans believed in preparing young Christians for the duties and privileges of church-membership. For a number of years he had conducted a class of boys and girls about twelve years of age who had started in the Christian life. This year he prepared his courses of instruction with great care. When, therefore, the Decision Day in the Sunday school revealed the large number in the school who had responded to the loving instruction of their teachers by giving their hearts to Christ, he was prepared to enlist them in the training-classes. He had prepared the following schedule of classes for the entire week immediately after Decision Day.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
MONDAY 3.45. Class for Juniors. Age 9, 10, 11.
4.30. Class for Intermediates. Age 12, 13, 14.
6.30. Older Boys and Fathers’ Supper.
TUESDAY 3.45. Junior Class.
4.30. Intermediate Class.
6.30. Older Girls and Mothers’ Luncheon.
WEDNESDAY 3.45. Junior Class.
4.30. Intermediate Class.
7.30. Midweek church night. Topic, “The Christian Home.” (A meeting for parents.)
THURSDAY 3.45. Junior Class.
4.30. Intermediate Class.
6.30. Young People’s Banquet.
FRIDAY 3.00. Mothers* meeting.
3.45. Junior Class.
4.30. Intermediate Class. The Sunday school teachers were expected to visit personally each member of their classes who had made a decision, as early in the week as possible, interviewing both pupils and parents. In visiting the parents, the teachers were instructed to assume that the parents would be interested in anything that meant the strengthening of the character of their children. In this way the hearty cooperation of the home could be secured in the program of the church. The pastor sent to each young Christian the following letter:
DEAR FRIEND: May I not offer to you my sincere congratulations on the fine stand you took yesterday morning in making a public decision for Christ. This will mean more and more to you as the days pass by, and I am sure you will never regret it.
God bless you in it!
It may be there is some member of your family or some dear friend you would like to see share your joy and come into the church with you. Will you not speak to such an one about it right away and bring him to the meetings with you, or tell the pastor about him? Would it not be wonderful if every one who came brought another? (See John 1:25-46.)
Wednesday evening promptly at 7.30, there will be a special service on the “ Christian Home.” Be sure to come and bring your father and mother. Also invite your mother to come to the Mothers’ Meeting on Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The pastor hopes to have a meeting soon with all those who desire to join the church, and will announce the date shortly. If you desire to talk over any problem with him, feel free to come to the parsonage or phone for an appointment. Telephone 3213.
Enclosed is a list of the special classes this week. I am counting on your regular attendance.
Praying for even greater joys and victories in your Christian life, I am, Faithfully your pastor,
THOMAS EVANS.
Junior Classes In the Junior Department on Sunday the pastor had given to each boy and girl a round tag, red for the boys and white for the girls. These had been secured from the Dennison Company. On one side the child wrote his name and the name of his church. On the other side were pasted each day the seals which the pastor gave out flags for the boys and gold stars for the girls. Every boy and girl who attended four out of five lessons would be entitled to the special treat provided by the church on the last afternoon. These tags helped the boys and girls to remember and advertise the children’s meetings among the other boys and girls. The daily class program which the pastor outlined was as follows:
1. Opening prayer followed by the Lord’s prayer.
2. Several appropriate hymns.
3. Prayer period.
4. Bible drill.
5. Special instruction.
6. Verse-finding contest.
7. Giving out of seals, announcements, closing prayer.
Prayer Every new convert was taught to pray. The pastor did it this way. Each memorized the following verse:
“ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father” (James 1:17).
He asked each boy and girl to name one good gift from the heavenly Father. By talking with them he was able to lead their thoughts to some of the most important gifts of God, such as food, clothing, life, love, schools, churches, pastors, missionaries, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, the Bible, and best of all Jesus, God’s Son. He asked each one to pick out one good gift and to remember it. All stood with bowed heads. The pastor gave them this form: “Dear heavenly Father, we thank thee for Amen.” Each child put in the one thing which he had chosen. It was beautiful to hear them, as, one after the other, they lovingly thanked the heavenly Father for his good gifts. After two days he taught them that they could ask for things from the heavenly Father as well as thank him for his good gifts. They talked over the things for which they could ask him, such as forgiveness, love, health, clean strong lives, the sick, their pastor, their fathers and mothers, the missionaries, and other boys and girls to accept Jesus. Again each boy and girl selected something for which they wished to ask the heavenly Father. The form of the prayer was:
“Dear heavenly Father, we ask thee.
Amen.” Each child prayed this simple prayer, putting in his own request. After this had been tried out and understood the children were taught each day to form their own prayers of thanksgiving or of request. Usually they would combine both request and thanksgiving.
One caution is needed. Be reverent. Sometimes on the first day some one giggles.’ One needs only to remind the children that they^are talking to the heavenly Father; that he is right there, and they of course do not want to giggle in his face.
Bible Drills Children need to be taught to love and to use the Bible. This can best be done through drills. It is good to learn the books of the Bible by rote. After this has been done, the boy or girl may not know how to find the various books in the Bible. It is better to know how to use the Bible.
Present Bibles. Each child has a Bible. The pastor says, “ Present Bibles! “ At the command “ Present “each child takes the Bible in his right hand, puts both feet on the floor ready to stand. When the pastor says, “ Bibles,” all stand in unison and hold the Bible upward in the right hand. At the command “Bibles Front,” the Bible is held in both hands in front. “ Bibles Opened “all open the Bible. “ Be seated “ all sit with open. Bibles ready for the drills.
Finding Books of the Bible. This drill was given as a game. As the pastor described a book, those who knew the book described found it and stood, holding the Bible open at the given book. Here are samples of the book descriptions:
I am thinking of the Fourth Gospel.
I am thinking of a letter written by an old man to some Christians living in the capital city of the world.
I am thinking of the book which contains the Sermon on the Mount.
I am thinking of the song-book used by the Hebrew people.
I am thinking of the book which tells the story of a foreign girl who became the great-grandmother of King David, etc.
It was surprising the knowledge of the Bible, which was gained in a few days of this kind of drill. 1 There was a contest between the boys and girls. They liked this arrangement and each side worked hard to win. On one of the days two leaders were chosen, and the boys and girls divided into two companies, lining up as in an old-fashioned spell down. The questions were asked alternate sides. Any one missing sat down. The object of the game was to see who would be at the head of the line at the end of the contest.
Still another way was to keep a record of each individual and see who found the most books.
Bible Verse Contest. At the beginning of the course 1 This drill has been worked out from a suggestion received from Meme Brockway in an institute on junior work. of instruction the pastor had told the boys and girls that he would give a New Testament to the boy and another to the girl who during the week found the largest number of Bible verses. This was done in both the Juniors and the Intermediate Classes. Two umpires were chosen, one to choose the boy and the other the girl who found the verse and stood ready to read. To avoid confusion and irreverence in handling the Word of God no one started to read until directed by the pastor. The one chosen to read did so reverently. Sometimes the pastor chose the first one who stood, and sometimes some one else. In skipping about in this manner greater interest was developed. After the first day several of the children practised at home. After a little practise in this and in the finding of the books of the Bible it was surprising how quickly the children found the verses.
Special Instruction
There were five days for instruction. The pastor wanted each boy and girl to know the simple steps in the Christian life.
First Day. Theme, God’ the Loving, Heavenly Father. The children were asked to give the various names of God. They mentioned Lord, Jehovah, Christ, the Almighty, Father, heavenly Father. By vote they chose as the name they liked best “ the heavenly Father” They learned this verse, James 1:17 : “ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father.”
Then they talked over the various good gifts, which he has given, writing them upon the blackboard. When asked what was his very best gift they all replied, “ Jesus, {88} his Son.” The pastor asked a boy if he was afraid of the heavenly Father. He said, “No.” “Why not?” asked the pastor. “ He has never done anything to me,” replied the boy, “ and he loves me.” When the pastor asked, “ How do you know that God loves you? “ One replied, “ He would never have given us all these good things had he not loved us.” Another said, “ He would never have sent Jesus to save us if he had not loved us.” Another said, “The Bible tells us that God loves us.”
They learned two verses telling of the love of God, “ For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “We love him because he first loved us “ (1 John 4:19). By question and answer the pastor taught that the loving heavenly Father was very near to each one of them, ready always to listen and ready to help.
Second Day. Theme, Jesus the Saviour from Sin.
Memory verse, Matthew 1:21. “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.”
1. How do we know that there is such a thing as sin?
“ We see it.” “ We feel it in our own hearts.” “ We hear it.” “ The Bible tells us so.”
2. What are some of the things we know are sins? The pastor put the list on the blackboard as given by the class.
3. What are some of the bad results of sin? These were written on the blackboard.
4. What did Jesus do to save people from sin? This was the opportunity to present the old, old story of sacrificial love on the cross.
5. How can we have Jesus as our personal Saviour? (1) Accept him. (2) Repent of sin. (3) Confess him.
6. The pastor gave each boy and girl an opportunity to stand up and say, “I have accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour” An opportunity was given for those who had not accepted him to do so now. Several made the supreme choice of the Saviour and openly confessed him.
Third Day. Theme, The Church and its Ordinances. The pastor explained the formation of the church as God’s family on earth, made up of those who had accepted Jesus, who were trying to become more like him and who were working together to win others to him, to his manner of life and to his service. He explained very carefully the way in which a person could become a member of his church. He then told of the two ordinances given by Jesus to the church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
He had the children read from the Bible the various accounts of these two services. After each reading he had one of the boys or girls retell, in his or her own language, the story which had been read. One of the older boys who was a member of the church told how these services were conducted in that church. The pastor followed by explaining the real meaning of these two ordinances.
Fourth Day. Theme f Christian Habits. Forming Christian Habits. The pastor explained to the boys and girls the meaning and importance of good habits and how these habits could be secured. He told them that they were in the most^ important habit-forming period of their lives, that most habits are formed by the time a person is sixteen. There were certain Christian habits that every young Christian should form. The way to form these habits was to begin at once, never skip a day, and keep at it until the habit was firmly- fixed. He mentioned six Christian habits:
“ Church Attendance. Every Christian should attend the church service of worship every Sunday as well as the Sunday school. There is something which comes into the life when the whole family of God’s people meet in a common service of worship, that comes in no other way. The central idea of worship is the * presence of God.’ To come before the heavenly Father, to realize his presence in the house dedicated to his worship, to listen to his voice, to think his thoughts, to be instructed by the pastor in God’s word and way, and to catch the spirit of love and faith of others, all these things make the service of worship. Boys and girls should form the habit of church attendance, sitting if possible with their parents.
“ Daily Bible Reading. Every young Christian should have a Bible of his or her own. Bring this Bible with you to Sunday school and church. Always follow the pastor in your Bible when he reads the Scripture. The boys should get a pocket Testament and always carry it.
Read the Bible every day. Have some regular time for this reading.
“ Prayer. Learn to pray. We are doing this in these classes. Whenever you have an opportunity in your Junior meeting or the Sunday school or the prayer service of the church, offer a brief prayer, but you cannot do this well, unless you pray much when alone. Begin the day in prayer, asking for guidance, strength, and help. Close the day in prayer. Pray for others. Pray whenever you are in need or whenever you want to talk to your Father.
“Winning Others: Read John 1:35-46. It is the great joy of every Christian to win others to Christ.
Boys and girls and young people can speak to their playmates, friends, and even their parents if they are not Christians. Make a prayer list of one or more friends and pray for them every day until they become Christians. Begin now to win others, and all through your life you will have the great joy of helping many people to become followers of Christ.
“ Using One’s Money. Every child should learn the value and use of money. Every one should learn the Christian use of money. Every boy and girl has some money. Keep a cash account of every centreceived and every centspent. Do not waste money. Get a bankaccount started. Give God his share. Begin to tithe now. Every time you earn any money or have money given to you set aside one-tenth for God.
“ Be a witness for Christ. Never be ashamed to stand up and to say that you are a Christian. Say a good word for Jesus, your friend, every opportunity you have.”
Fifth Day. Theme, Growing as Jesus Grew. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Jesus is our perfect example. Every Christian should try to become like Jesus. We may become like Jesus by imitating him; by having him as our ideal, and by living close to him day by day.
Jesus grew in four ways: (1) Mentally (in wisdom); (2) physically (in stature); (3) religiously (in favor with God); (4) socially (in favor with men).
Mentally. Jesus had a well-trained mind. He was ever a learner. Get a good education. Prepare to be a leader among men. Keep your mind open to new truths and new ideas.
Physically. Jesus had a strong, clean, healthy body. Be clean in body, in mind, and in thought. Eat good wholesome food. Get plenty of sleep. Take regular exercise. Have good physical habits.
Religiously. Jesus was deeply religious. He lived as a true son of his heavenly Father. He sought always to do just that which his Father wanted him to do. Trust your heavenly Father. Do that which he wants you to do. Talk often with him. Help him make other people good and happy.
Socially. Jesus knew how to get along with other people. Be loving. People will love you. Be happy.
People will like to be with you. Be helpful. People need your help.
Intermediate Class In the intermediate class the pastor followed much the same general outline as for the Juniors, only he made more of the study of the Bible itself and much more of the discussion method of instruction, giving the young people opportunity for free expression of their own opinions and for frank questions. They were led to form their own conclusions. In connection with this class, the pastor gave his young people the opportunity of arranging for a personal interview to talk over certain phases of the religious life.
Fathers and Sons’ Supper On Monday evening the boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen, together with their fathers and the men of the church, had a supper in the church at sixthirty. The church troop of Boy Scouts attended in a body and sat by patrols. There was plenty of fun with yells and songs. There were four short toasts: “ What we boys think of our dads “; “ What we boys think of our church”; “What we fathers think of our boys”; “ What our church thinks of its boys.” The pastor urged the fathers to enter seriously into The Business of Boy-Raising. The boys were advised to line up with Jesus Christ and to keep close to dad. He urged the men of the church to take, as their big task in the church, the whole program of boys’ work.
Mothers and Daughters’ Luncheon On Tuesday evening the mothers and older girls met for luncheon in the church at six-thirty. There were four responses, two from the girls and two from the mothers: “ What we girls think of our mothers “; “ What we girls think of our church “; “ What we mothers think of our daughters “; “ What the church thinks and expects of its girls.” The pastor spoke briefly to the mothers and urged them to understand and to keep close to their daughters. He urged the girls to make a confidant of mother and to keep close to her. He urged the woman’s society of the church to undertake as their special task a worthy program for the girls of the church.
Parents’ Night On Wednesday evening the regular midweek meeting of the church the topic was “ The Christian Home.” One spoke on the “Value of the Christian Home” as the single greatest factor in the Christianizing of the world.
Another spoke on religious training in the home, bringing out the facts that in the home religion should he genuine, that there should never be any criticism of pastor, church, or church people before the children, that the parents should go with the children to church and not merely send them, that parents should know and anticipate the religious crises of youth. The pastor urged that Christian living should be practised more and more in the home.
Many of the people spoke lovingly of the influence of a Christian home upon their own lives.
Young People’s Banquet The young people’s society had secured a very large attendance of young people for Thursday night. Mr. Witter, the president of the society, presided. There were several songs and yells by groups. The following responses were given: “ My Idea of a Christian Young Man,” by a young woman; “ My Idea of a Christian Young Woman,” by a young -man; “ What We Young People Expect from Our Church”; “What Our Church Expects of its Young People”; “The Work of Our Young People’s Society.” The pastor challenged each young man and young woman to take some advanced step for Jesus Christ.
He indicated some steps that could be taken: Acceptance of Jesus Christ; membership in his church; a trainingclass for teachers; membership in the big volunteer choir for Sunday evening; some definite form of Christian service, breaking some bad habit; tithing; cultivation of the devotional life.
He gave to each a blank card and requested that each one write his or her full name and address, then after earnest prayer to put down a forward step which he or she was willing to take for the Lord Jesus Christ and his cause.
How glad it made the pastor’s heart that night when he looked over the cards to find that nearly every one had really made some forward step for Christ. He wrote each a personal letter. He knew that his young people were catching the vision of the Christ and his service, and his heart was glad, for he knew that better days were coming for the church, for the community and the kingdom.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Discuss methods of teaching young people to pray.
2. Give examples of Bible drills and games other than those mentioned.
3. What is the value of a junior society? How organize and conduct?
4. What is the value of an intermediate society? How organize and conduct?
5. What is the value of a young people’s society?
6. What direction can be given to young people in helping them develop Christian habits?
7. When did you begin going to church regularly?
8. When did you begin to tithe?
9. When did you begin daily Bible reading?
10. Make a list of things older boys and girls can do in a church.
11. Make a list of Christian activities for young people.
REFERENCES “ You and Your Church/’ Kirtley.
“ Conversations on the Christian Life/’ Gage, Neel, and Sanborn.
“ The Young Christian and His Work/’ Grenell.
“ The Meaning of Service,” Fosdick.
“ The Meaning of Prayer,” Fosdick.
“ The Church and Its Juniors,” Brockway.
“ Our Junior Department,” McNaughton.