Description
Through the Scriptures Alfred P Gibbs
A Five Year Course of Lessons with Outlines for Teachers and Preachers
by
Alfred P. Gibbs
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Contents
Foreword. 11
Foreword To Fifth Edition. 11
Suggestions As To Sunday School Work. 12
Suggestions As To The Preparation Of The Lesson Or Subject 20
Suggestions As To The Teaching Of The Lesson. 26
Suggestions As To How To Use These Outlines. 28
Suggestions As To The Sunday School Teacher’s Library. 32
Index To Lessons, Scripture Locations And Golden Texts. 35
Old Testament 35
New Testament 42
Old Testament (Genesis-Deuteronomy) 50
Lesson 1: Creation. 50
Lesson 2: Creation Of Man. 51
Lesson 3: The Fall Of Man. 53
Lesson 4: Cain And Abel 54
Lesson 5: The Flood. 56
Lesson 6: God’s Covenant With Noah. 57
Lesson 7: The Tower Of Babel 59
Lesson 8: The Call Of Abram.. 60
Lesson 9: Abram And Lot 61
Lesson 10: God’s Promise To Abraham.. 63
Lesson 11: Lot’s Wife. 64
Lesson 12: Abraham’s Trial 66
Lesson 13: The Bride For Isaac. 67
Lesson 14: Jacob’s Deception. 68
Lesson 15: Jacob’s Vision. 70
Lesson 16: Jacob’s Service. 71
Lesson 17: Jacob’s Return. 73
Lesson 18: Joseph—The Hated. 74
Lesson 19: Joseph—The Humbled. 75
Lesson 20: Joseph—The Exalted. 77
Lesson 21: Joseph—The Provider 78
Lesson 22: Joseph—The Reconciler 80
Lesson 23: Joseph—The Savior 81
Lesson 24: The Birth Of Moses. 82
Lesson 25: The Choice Of Moses. 84
Lesson 26: The Call Of Moses. 85
Lesson 27: Pharaoh’s Rejection. 87
Lesson 28: The Plagues. 88
Lesson 29: The Passover 90
Lesson 30: The Red Sea. 91
Lesson 31: The Song Of Moses. 93
Lesson 32: The Manna. 94
Lesson 33: Water From The Rock. 95
Lesson 34: Rephidim.. 97
Lesson 35: The Giving Of The Law. 98
Lesson 36: The Tabernacle. 100
Lesson 37: The Levitical Priesthood. 101
Lesson 38: The Golden Calf 103
Lesson 39: The Renewed Covenant 104
Lesson 40: The Offerings. 106
Lesson 41: Nadab And Abihu. 107
Lesson 42: The Cleansing Of The Leper 109
Lesson 43: The Day Of Atonement 110
Lesson 44: The Feasts Of Jehovah. 111
Lesson 45: The Year Of Jubilee. 113
Lesson 46: The Silver Trumpets. 114
Lesson 47: The Lusting Multitude. 116
Lesson 48: The Spies’ Report 117
Lesson 49: The Judgment Of Korah. 119
Lesson 50: Aaron’s Rod. 120
Lesson 51: Meribah. 121
Lesson 52: The Brazen Serpent 123
Lesson 53: Balaam.. 124
Lesson 54: The Cities Of Refuge. 125
Lesson 55: Lessons Of The Journey. 127
Lesson 56: The Song Of Moses. 128
Lesson 57: The Blessing Of Moses. 129
Old Testament (Joshua-2 Kings) 132
Lesson 58: Joshua—Call And Commission. 132
Lesson 59: Rahab. 133
Lesson 60: The Crossing Of The Jordan. 135
Lesson 61: The Fall Of Jericho. 136
Lesson 62: The Sin Of Achan. 138
Lesson 63: The League With Gibeon. 139
Lesson 64: The Conquest Of Canaan. 141
Lesson 65: Joshua’s Last Words. 142
Lesson 66: Deborah’s Victory And Song. 143
Lesson 67: Gideon’s Call 145
Lesson 68: Gideon’s Victory. 146
Lesson 69: Abimelech And Jephthah. 147
Lesson 70: Samson—His Early Life. 149
Lesson 71: Samson—His Downfall And Death. 150
Lesson 72: The Story Of Ruth. 151
Lesson 73: The Birth Of Samuel 153
Lesson 74: The Call Of Samuel 154
Lesson 75: The Ark Lost And Returned. 156
Lesson 76: Restoration At Mizpeh. 157
Lesson 77: The Choice Of A King. 158
Lesson 78: The Rejection Of Saul 160
Lesson 79: The Anointing Of David. 161
Lesson 80: David And Goliath. 163
Lesson 81: The Persecution Of David. 164
Lesson 82: David The Rejected King. 165
Lesson 83: Saul’s Downfall And Death. 167
Lesson 84: David Made King. 168
Lesson 85: The Ark Brought To Zion. 169
Lesson 86: God’s Promise To David. 171
Lesson 87: Mephibosheth. 172
Lesson 88: David’s Sin And Restoration. 173
Lesson 89: Absalom’s Rebellion And Death. 175
Lesson 90: David’s Song And Last Words. 176
Lesson 91: The Shepherd Psalm.. 178
Lesson 92: The Secret Of True Blessedness. 179
Lesson 93: God’s Three Words. 180
Lesson 94: The Praise Psalm.. 182
Lesson 95: Solomon’s Vision. 183
Lesson 96: Building And Dedication Of The Temple. 185
Lesson 97: Visit Of The Queen Of Sheba. 186
Lesson 98: Studies In The Proverbs. 188
Lesson 99: The Kingdom Divided. 190
Lesson 100: Asa’s Reign. 191
Lesson 101: Elijah’s Prophecy And Supply. 192
Lesson 102: Elijah At Carmel 194
Lesson 103: Elijah’s Flight And Revelation. 195
Lesson 104: Ahab’s Sin. 197
Lesson 105: Jehoshaphat’s Ungodly Alliance. 198
Lesson 106: Elijah’s Translation. 199
Lesson 107: Elisha’s Early Ministry. 201
Lesson 108: Naaman The Leper 202
Lesson 109: The Four Lepers. 204
Lesson 110: Jonah. 206
Lesson 111: The Young King Jehoash. 207
Lesson 112: Isaiah’s Call And Commission. 209
Lesson 113: The Prince Of Peace. 211
Lesson 114: The Gospel In The Old Testament 212
Lesson 115: Hezekiah’s Good Reign. 214
Lesson 116: Manasseh And Josiah. 215
Lesson 117: The Solemn Passover 216
Old Testament (Jeremiah-Malachi) 219
Lesson 118: Jeremiah’s Call And Ministry. 219
Lesson 119: The Persecution Of Jeremiah And The Captivity Of Judah. 220
Lesson 120: Ezekiel’s Call And Commission. 221
Lesson 121: The Testing Of Job. 223
Lesson 122: Job’s Restoration. 224
Lesson 123: The Young Hebrew Captives. 226
Lesson 124: The Interpreted Dream.. 227
Lesson 125: The Fiery Furnace. 229
Lesson 126: The Humiliation Of Nebuchadnezzar 231
Lesson 127: Belshazzar’s Feast 232
Lesson 128: Daniel And The Den Of Lions. 233
Lesson 129: Esther 235
Lesson 130: The Return Under Ezra. 237
Lesson 131: Nehemiah And His Work. 238
Lesson 132: The Vision Of Zechariah And Prophecy Of Malachi 239
New Testament (Matthew-John) 242
Lesson 133: Christ In The Old Testament 242
Lesson 134: Birth Of John The Baptist 243
Lesson 135: The Birth Of Christ 244
Lesson 136: The Wonderful Name. 246
Lesson 137: The Visit Of The Wise Men. 247
Lesson 138: Ministry Of John The Baptist 249
Lesson 139: The Baptism Of Christ 250
Lesson 140: The Temptation. 251
Lesson 141: The Calling Of The First Disciples. 253
Lesson 142: The First Ministry Of Christ 254
Lesson 143: The First Miracle. 256
Lesson 144: The Great Necessity. 257
Lesson 145: The Palsied Man. 259
Lesson 146: The Sermon On The Mount I 260
Lesson 147: The Sermon On The Mount II 262
Lesson 148: The Sermon On The Mount III 263
Lesson 149: The Draught Of Fishes. 265
Lesson 150: The Woman At The Well 266
Lesson 151: The Nobleman’s Son. 268
Lesson 152: The Impotent Man. 269
Lesson 153: The Woman Of The City. 270
Lesson 154: Raising Of Jairus’ Daughter 272
Lesson 155: The Touch Of Faith. 273
Lesson 156: The Two Resurrections. 274
Lesson 157: The Two Builders. 276
Lesson 158: The Leper Healed. 277
Lesson 159: The Two Debtors. 278
Lesson 160: The Deaf And Dumb Man Healed. 280
Lesson 161: The Rich Young Man. 281
Lesson 162: The Widow’s Son. 282
Lesson 163: The Disciple’s Prayer 284
Lesson 164: The Centurian’s Servant 286
Lesson 165: John The Baptist’s Question. 287
Lesson 166: John The Baptist’s Death. 288
Lesson 167: The Stilling Of The Storm.. 290
Lesson 168: The Sower And The Seed. 291
Lesson 169: The Tares And The Wheat 293
Lesson 170: The Hidden Treasure And The Pearl 294
Lesson 171: The Demoniac Healed. 295
Lesson 172: Reformation Not Enough. 297
Lesson 173: The Blind Man. 298
Lesson 174: The Feeding Of The Five Thousand. 299
Lesson 175: Peter’s Confession. 301
Lesson 176: The Transfiguration. 302
Lesson 177: Healing Of The Lunatic Boy. 304
Lesson 178: The Good Samaritan. 305
Lesson 179: Christ And Various Classes. 307
Lesson 180: The Crooked Woman. 308
Lesson 181: The Good Shepherd. 310
Lesson 182: The Great Supper 312
Lesson 183: The Rich Fool 313
Lesson 184: Jesus The Light Of The World. 315
Lesson 185: The Deity Of Christ 316
Lesson 186: The Syrophoenician Woman. 318
Lesson 187: The Cost Of Discipleship. 319
Lesson 188: The Lost Sheep. 321
Lesson 189: The Lost Coin. 322
Lesson 190: The Lost Son. 324
Lesson 191: The Rich Man And Lazarus. 325
Lesson 192: The Ten Lepers. 327
Lesson 193: The Pharisee And The Publican. 328
Lesson 194: Bartimaeus. 329
Lesson 195: Zacchaeus. 331
Lesson 196: Raising Of Lazarus. 332
Lesson 197: Anointing By Mary. 334
Lesson 198: Christ’s Entry Into Jerusalem.. 335
Lesson 199: The Visit Of The Greeks. 337
Lesson 200: The Parable Of The Vineyard. 338
Lesson 201: The Wedding Garment 340
Lesson 202: The Ten Virgins. 341
Lesson 203: The Talents. 343
Lesson 204: Washing Of The Disciples’ Feet 344
Lesson 205: The Comforter 346
Lesson 206: Christ’s Teaching On Future Retribution. 347
Lesson 207: The Lords Supper 349
Lesson 208: Jesus The Coming Savior 350
Lesson 209: Jesus The True Vine. 352
Lesson 210: The Lord’s Prayer 354
Lesson 211: The Betrayal 355
Lesson 212: The Trial Of Christ 356
Lesson 213: Peter’s Denial 358
Lesson 214: The Crucifixion. 359
Lesson 215: The Dying Thief 361
Lesson 216: The Resurrection. 363
Lesson 217: The Risen Lord Comforting And Restoring|. 365
Lesson 218: The Risen Lord, Teaching. 366
Lesson 219: The Risen Lord Cheering And Confirming. 367
Lesson 220: The Risen Lord Ministering And Commissioning. 368
New Testament (Acts-Revelation) 370
Lesson 221: The Ascension Of Christ 370
Lesson 222: Pentecost 371
Lesson 223: Peter’s Sermon. 372
Lesson 224: The Lame Man Healed. 374
Lesson 225: The Boldness Of Peter And John. 375
Lesson 226: Ananias And Sapphira. 377
Lesson 227: Stephen. 378
Lesson 228: Simon The Sorcerer 380
Lesson 229: The Ethiopian Eunuch. 381
Lesson 230: Conversion Of Saul 383
Lesson 231: The Raising Of Dorcas. 384
Lesson 232: Cornelius. 385
Lesson 233: The Disciples Called Christians. 387
Lesson 234: Peter’s Imprisonment And Release. 388
Lesson 235: The Call Of Barnabas And Saul 390
Lesson 236: Elymas The Sorcerer 391
Lesson 237: Paul’s Sermon. 393
Lesson 238: Paul At Lystra. 394
Lesson 239: The Council At Jerusalem.. 396
Lesson 240: The Macedonian Call 397
Lesson 241: The Philippian Jailer 398
Lesson 242: Paul At Thessalonica And Berea. 400
Lesson 243: Paul At Athens. 402
Lesson 244: Paul At Corinth. 403
Lesson 245: Paul’s Letter To Corinthians. 404
Lesson 246: Paul At Ephesus. 405
Lesson 247: The Believer’s Biography. 407
Lesson 248: Paul’s Farewell 408
Lesson 249: The Christian’s Responsibility. 410
Lesson 250: Paul’s Last Journey To Jerusalem.. 411
Lesson 251: Paul’s Speech To The Jews. 412
Lesson 252: Paul Before The Council And Felix. 414
Lesson 253: Paul Before Agrippa. 415
Lesson 254: Paul Shipwrecked. 416
Lesson 255: The Journey To Rome. 418
Lesson 256: The Church Of God. 419
Lesson 257: Paul’s Letter To The Philippians. 421
Lesson 258: Paul’s Letter To Titus. 422
Lesson 259: The Heroes Of Faith. 424
Lesson 260: Paul’s Last Message. 425
Lesson 261: Heaven, The Believer’s Home. 427
Lesson 262: The Lord Jesus, The Great High Priest 429
Lesson 263: The Glorified Lord. 430
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Foreword
These outlines, comprising a five year course of Sunday School lessons through the Scriptures, appeared originally in Faithful Words, a gospel magazine. In response to many requests they are now gathered together in one volume.
The reader will observe that one outline appears on each page surrounded by a generous margin upon which the student may place any additional notes and comments resulting from his own study of the lesson, thus enabling him to make these outlines his own. The paper has been specially selected for this purpose.
These outlines have been purposely condensed so that they will be merely suggestive and an encouragement to further study, rather than an excuse to avoid that study and preparation so necessary to the teacher and preacher. All the Scripture references should be looked up and well pondered, and their relation to the lesson determined.
The material for these outlines has been gathered from many sources, and my appreciation is due to all who, by their oral or written ministry, have aided in this direction.
In the introductory pages there will be found a suggestion as to how to best use these outlines, together with other hints to Sunday School teachers and others who are seeking to teach and preach the word of God.
The book goes forth with the desire that God may be pleased to use its contents to the glory of Him Whose incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension and ceaseless intercession has made such teaching possible.
—A. P. G. Chicago, Illinois, 1935
Foreword To Fifth Edition Through the Scriptures Alfred P Gibbs
Once again another edition is sent forth, with the same desire as the previous three editions; the glory of Christ and the blessing of the reader.
—A. P. G. Wheaton, Illinois, 1954
Suggestions As To Sunday School Work
Inasmuch as the contents of this volume were originally prepared to assist the Sunday School teacher in his work, it may not be amiss to address a few words to that gallant company of Christians who are seeking to win the young to a saving and satisfying knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of gospel work amongst the young, yet very often this great service is one of the most neglected amongst the assemblies of God’s people. A few suggestions as to the importance of, the requirements in, and the arrangements for Sunday School work may be of help in “stirring up pure minds by way of remembrance.”
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
By the term “Sunday School Work,” we mean the endeavor on the part of Christian men and women to so present the gospel of the grace of God to the young that they may be led to a definite acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, a bold and intelligent confession of Him as their Lord, and a growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord through obedience to His revealed will as found and taught in the holy Scriptures. In other words: that the unsaved may be won for Christ, and those who are saved, so taught in the word of God, that they shall be led on in ways well pleasing to their Lord and Savior. If this is not the main purpose of a Sunday School, then it has utterly failed to justify its existence.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
We shall think of three things in connection with these suggestions as to Sunday School work. Firstly, the importance of this work. Secondly, the requirements in Sunday School work. Thirdly, the arrangements for the Sunday School.
1. Let us consider The importance of this work. This is seen in a seven fold way:
First, By the plain teaching of Scripture. God’s word has a lot to say about the necessity for instructing the young in the Scriptures. Read carefully the following passages: Deuteronomy 31:12-13; Joshua 8:35; Proverbs 8:17, 29:15, 22:6; Eccl. 12:1; Isaiah 40:11; Nehemiah 8:2, 3; 12:43; Psalm 34:11; 2 Timothy 3:15.
Second, By Christ’s own words and example. When, in the infinitude of His grace, the Son of God condescended to clothe Himself with humanity and become Man, He left us in no doubt, either by precept or practice, of the importance of this work. Read Matthew 18:1-10, 11:25-26; Luke 18:16; John 21:15; Matthew 21:15-16; Matthew 19:13-15.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Third, By the receptivity of the Child. With the young there is a greater readiness to hear and willingness to respond to God’s word than with the old. This may be easily proved by inquiring from any audience of Christians how many were saved before they reached the age of seventeen. Statistics seem to indicate that 75 percent of Christians become such before reaching that age. Their minds are plastic, their hearts tender and the fear of man, due to pride, not so prevalent.
Fourth, By the solemn responsibility involved (Mark 16:15; John 3:3). Let us never forget that the new birth is an absolute necessity for all, both old and young. God has only one way of salvation for both the child and the adult. Let us, however, not make the mistake of expecting an adult experience from a child (1 Corinthians 13:11). The words of the great apostle, concerning our responsibility to preach and teach the word of God, should be carefully and prayerfully pondered. (1 Corinthians 9:16-22; Romans 10:13-15).
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Fifth, By its blessed privilege. What a blessed thing to be able to plow and sow the good seed upon the virgin soil of their hearts! They have little to unlearn, few preconceived ideas to efface, and seldom wrong doctrines to combat.
Sixth, By its marvelous possibilities. Every child is a mighty factor for good or evil. Hundreds of God-honored servants of Christ were once little ones in Sunday School. Think of the possibilities of that class of boys and girls! Perhaps there is a possible Moody, Spurgeon, or Francis Ridley Havergal in that bright-eyed, restless youngster in your class!
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Seventh, By its absolute necessity to any assembly of the people of God. The Sunday School is essential—
1. To its growth. Childless assemblies are dying assemblies. Where are the lambs? The Sunday School is the recruiting ground for the local church.
2. To its service. It provides an outlet for whole-hearted gospel service on the part of the believers. It is the training school for the preacher-to-be. The man who can hold the attention of a class of restless boys is being fitted for a wider sphere of service.
3. To its faithfulness to God, to His word, to the last commission of the Son of God and to the young, especially those of unsaved parents.
2. Let us think of The requirements in Sunday School work. Obviously there are two. First, boys and girls to compose it and, secondly, Christians to teach those boys and girls.
1. We shall consider, first, the matter of the boys and girls. These are to be found in every community, but the great question is: how are we to get them under the sound of the gospel? Here are a few suggestions that may prove useful.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
First, hold the Sunday School in a suitable location, preferably in the midst of a residential neighborhood. Many a Sunday School has died, and many are dying because the location of it was determined by the assembly’s convenience instead of that best suited to a good Sunday School. The wise fisherman goes where the fish are—go thou and do likewise—go where boys and girls are!
Second, hold the Sunday School at the time most convenient to the majority of the children in the district. Remember, the Sunday School is for their convenience and not the assembly’s.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Third, Advertise in all the ways you can. A Sunday School is not a secret organization! Don’t wait for boys and girls to search you out, but go and search them out, and seek, by all means possible, to compel them to come in.
Fourth, Make the Sunday School attractive to them. Use means to get them and hold them. Children love good singing, led by a musical instrument. There are many bright gospel choruses available for this purpose. The use of object talks, blackboard sketches, lantern slides and competitions, etc., all help to this end.
Fifth, Have special meetings for them. Many assemblies arrange for a series of two weeks of evangelistic meetings for boys and girls each year. Many others have a meeting for them each Friday night, as this seems to be the best evening for this purpose. Should any other night be more suitable, it should be selected.
Sixth, Make the Sunday School, in a special sense, theirs. Go in for them and they will go in for you.
The next question is: How shall these boys and girls be kept coming to the Sunday School? At least nine suggestions follow which have been tried and proved.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
First, Love them. No one is quicker to perceive and respond to love than a child. If you don’t love them, you will not want to win them (see 1 Corinthians 13).
Second, Feed them with the word of God and the gospel of the grace of God. The Gospel story has not lost its charm, nor has the Bible lost its fascination for the children. There are no stories that can compare in interest with those in the Book of books.
Third, Take a personal interest in each pupil. Make a note of and remember his birthday. Get to know his family, home and health, etc. He will then take an interest in you.
Fourth, Pray for each pupil in your class individually. This will deepen your interest in him. It is still true that “prayer changes things.” The quickest and most effective way to reach anyone is via the throne of grace.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Fifth. Welcome them as they arrive at the Sunday School. Let them see you are glad to see them. This, of course, will necessitate that you arrive early enough to do so. Habitual lateness is inexcusable in a Sunday School teacher.
Sixth. Visit their homes. This will enable the teacher to reach the parents with the gospel and, at the same time, give him the opportunity of finding out what sort of home environment the pupil has, so that suitable teaching can be given to fit the need.
Seventh. Take a note of, visit and follow up all absentees. Let them see that you miss them. It has been estimated that public school absentees average five percent, while Sunday School absentees run from 20 to 60 percent. The average hours of secular instruction in public schools each year is 1080, while the average hours of spiritual instruction in Sunday Schools per year is 26, less 20 to 60 percent due to absence.
Eighth. Encourage competition and reward those who bring new pupils as well as the faithful attenders. Have an outing now and then and also a yearly treat.
Ninth. Seek earnestly to win them for Christ and lead them on in His ways and they are yours forever.
2. Now let us consider the matter of the Christians who are to teach these boys and girls. Surely the second essential for a Sunday School is a staff of capable teachers. This is not anyone’s job, for it is not talkers or preachers, but teachers who are able to intelligently, clearly, reverently and faithfully impart the word of God that are required. The qualifications of the teacher should be at least seven-fold:
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
First. He must have a saving experience of the gospel he is seeking to impart to the pupil. He must know experimentally the truth he teaches. We are faced today with the tragedy of thousands of unsaved teachers seeking to impart to unsaved pupils the living word of God. The Savior solemnly declared: “The blind cannot lead the blind.” Each Sunday School teacher should make certain, on the authority of God’s word, that he is a regenerated child of God.
Second. He must have a consistent Christian life behind him. He should exemplify, in his character, the truth he teaches, or his teaching will be all in vain. Paul, the great teacher, could write to those whom he had taught and say, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you” (1 Thessalonians 2:10, compare Matthew 5:16).
Third. He must have a desire for and aptitude to the work. Not every Christian is fitted to teach a class of boys and girls. The ability to teach is one of the gifts of the risen Head to the Church which is His body (Ephesians 4:8-12). A gift, however, should be stirred up (2 Timothy 1:6) and exercised, and thus developed. It will soon be evident to the class whether you are gifted to teach or not, and the behavior of the class will soon inform you whether you have or have not the gift of teaching! Needless to say, the teacher should be able to maintain order in his class.
Fourth. He must be sincere in (1) His person. That is, he must be courteous, tactful, easy to approach; (2) His presentation of the lesson. He should teach as though he believed its truth. He should please God and not man and be true to his solemn responsibility as the Lord’s messenger. (3) His purpose. It should not be merely the sense of duty, but the constraining love of Christ that is the underlying motive for all his service.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Fifth. He must be studious. He must study at least three things: (1) His message. He must so search the Scriptures and prepare the lesson that its message will grip his own soul and be a power in his own life. (2) His man. That is, his pupils. He must study their needs, habits, homes, capacity, etc. (3) His method. He must study the art of simplicity, clarity and variety in his teaching. This can best be accomplished by (a) keeping up-to-date through reading, observing and visiting; (b) making an outline of the lesson, so that it can be taught logically and not haphazardly; (c) by physical aids such as maps, blackboard and objects, etc. A thing worth doing is worth doing well and the Lord’s work demands the very best in the way of preparation.
Sixth. He must be prayerful. He must pray for (1) Himself, that he may have humility, sympathy, patience and persistence with his class. (2) Light on the lesson. The Holy Spirit alone can teach and, as He remains ungrieved in the believer, He can lead him into all truth and make God’s word plain. (3) Power to so present the truth of his class that it shall accomplish the purpose that God desires. (4) The pupils to be reached. Name them individually before the throne of grace. Lay hold upon God on their behalf, for it is still true that “the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
Seventh. He must be self-sacrificial. The teacher’s service is worth exactly what it costs him in time, labor, prayer, study and money. Love is measured by sacrifice. We are told that “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). If the teacher loves his class, he will also give himself for it, and count nothing too great a sacrifice to win it for Christ and lead it on to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Persistence is a rare but necessary requirement for the faithful Sunday School teacher.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
3. Now let us think of The arrangements for the Sunday School. Some Sunday Schools make the mistake of over organization, while others swing to the other extreme and have none at all. Let us maintain an even balance. God is a God of order and not of confusion. His injunction is: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). We will suggest seven things that make for this godly order.
First. As to the place. Any old place won’t do. Damp, dark, dismal and dirty would describe some Sunday School rooms. Compare your own home and the day schools with your Sunday School room. It should be conveniently located for the pupils, and kept as clean and as tidy and as comfortable as possible.
Second. As to aids for attention. Separate rooms for classes, are best, but where this is impossible, screens or temporary partitions or curtains will help to eliminate the inattention caused by what the pupils see. Eighty percent of inattention is due to what children see, and therefore we should try and remove as many barriers as possible to distraction. The teacher should use a quiet tone when teaching, so as not to disturb others.
Third. As to personnel. This will depend largely on the size of the Sunday School. The average requirement is: (1) A superintendent. His duty is to supervise generally the working of the Sunday School, to lead in the opening exercises and maintain order and discipline. He should lead and not dictate, and seek to work harmoniously with the teachers; (2) An assistant superintendent. This is usually one of the teachers who is appointed to act in the absence of the superintendent. This avoids confusion. (3) A secretary. His duties should consist of keeping the roll of the teachers and also of the pupils. He should make a note of all absentees and see that they are notified or visited. He should keep track of the pupils’ birthdays and notify the teachers so that they can be remembered. He should distribute any gospel literature at the close of the session. (4) Teachers. We have already dealt with the privileges and duties of these. (5) Assistant teachers. These should be recruited from the Bible class or the teacher training class. In case of the absence of any regular teacher they should be notified as early as possible so as to prepare themselves for the task. Any teacher, not able to be present, should give early notice of this so that a suitable substitute may be provided. A teacher training class should be organized to this end.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Fourth. As to classification of pupils. No hard and fast rule can be made, but the divisions that the day school makes are good. Group the pupils according to age and grade. There are four main divisions: (1) Primary, up to six; (2) Junior, 7 to 10; (3) Intermediate, 11 to 15; (4) Senior, 16 and up.
Fifth. As to the lessons to be taught. There is a great value in uniform lessons, that is, each class studies the same lesson. This scheme has many advantages. In the first place, it makes possible the systematic study of the entire Bible and the pupil is thus brought to see the unity of the word of God and its message—Christ in all the Scriptures. In the second place, the teachers can talk the lesson over with each other during the week. Thirdly, the teacher training class can study the lesson early in the week, and thus be prepared to teach it if required. Lastly, the superintendent can review the lesson with the whole Sunday School at the close of the session and discover what impression has been made. The Golden Text, or memory verse, can also be repeated by the whole school in unison.
Sixth. As to aids in securing attention and interest. Note the distinction between attention and interest. Interest is sustained attention.
1. How best to secure attention. Prepare the lesson early in the week. Introduce it in an interesting way. Use good illustrations. Use eye gate as much as possible. Learn to use a blackboard.
2. How best to maintain interest. The best method is to be interesting yourself. Maintain discipline in your class, for young folks appreciate discipline, and have no time for the one who cannot keep them in order. A few suggestions as to this might be in order: (a) Do it without apparent effort, (b) Avoid all hurry—don’t give too many commands, (c) Don’t see everything, the blind eye and deaf ear is often necessary, (d) Don’t threaten unless you mean to do what you say. (e) Enlist the sympathies of the class on the side of law and order, (f) Give the most mischievous something to do. (g) Private appeal to individuals is always better than a public one. (h) Be always on your best behavior yourself. Come on time and set a good example. Invite your pupils to your home sometimes. Take walks with them and talk with them; in other words, interest yourself in them and they will interest themselves in you.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
Seventh. As to teachers’ meetings. There should be meetings, at a time convenient to all teachers, for prayer and for review of the next lesson, at which all assistant teachers should be present. It is often a good thing to have a conference twice a year for all the Sunday School teachers of a district. Arrange a topic with two or three speakers and a discussion to follow. Such a conference is very helpful for the mutual edification and encouragement of those engaged in the most important aspect of Gospel activity in this present day—the work amongst the young.
through the scriptures alfred p gibbs
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