nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

OUR RESPONSIBILITY
SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD 399
YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEPARTMENT
PHILIP B. HARRIS, Superintendent
Southern Baptists now have a most unusual opportunity to minister to young
people. Their enlistment is imperative for they are among the most capable
and best equipped of any age group. Their presence is essential, for this age
range includes more than 17 per cent of all people in a community. The spirit
of young people is desirous, for they are active, energetic, and responsive.
There are 5,200,000 in the South. It is estimated that Southern Baptists are
responsible for approximately ,1,600,000 of this number.
NEW LEAFLETS
Two new leaflets, namely, "Welcome Home" and "Winning Young People to
Christ" are ready for distribution. "Welcome Home" suggests a number of
church centered activities for classes and departments for all young people.
"Winning Young People to Christ" presents a brief study of evangelism with
young people of the Sunday school. Free copies may be secured from each
state Sunday school department or from the Sunday School Department of
the Baptist Sunday School Board.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S APPRECIATION DAY SUGGESTED
Many churches in the Southern Baptist Convention territory are planning to
observe "Young People's Appreciation Day." The purpose is to recognize and
use all young people, seventeen through twenty-four. The program may include
special messages, music, and informal fellowship. (Secure a copy of "Welcome
Home" for suggestions.)
REPORTS INDICATE PROGRESS
Our files carry the names of 530 associational Young People's Superintendents.
They receive the associational bulletin each month and are regularly
supplied with report forms and materials necessary for effective service.
During the past twelve months, 127 classes and 21 departments have been
given Standard recognition.
A total of 2,404 awards on the books on Young People's work of the training
course have been granted during the past twelve months.
ADEQUATE PROVISION NEEDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Reach those returning from Service.—Enlist this group for Bible study
immediately upon their return. Enrol them in organized classes according to
their respective ages.
Classes for young married women necessary.—Since from one third to one
half of the young people seventeen through twenty-four years of age are married,
it is highly important that Southern Baptists reach this group for Bible
study. Successful marriages are the key to the stability of our nation.
Provision for seventeen-year-olds needed.—Frequently those promoted from
the Intermediate department drop out of Sunday school. Separate classes for
this group should by all means be organized.
Separate departments for Young People recommended.—Forty or more possibilities
will justify the organization of a department. Begin with two classes
—one for young men and one for young women. If needed, organize two departments,
one for those seventeen through nineteen and the other for those
twenty through twenty-four.
THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY
The urgency of our responsibility calls for courage, faith, and action. The
need is evident. The Lord's commands are clear and definite, and delay is
dangerous. Let us join hands and hearts and claim the young people for Christ.
Tomorrow will be too late!