Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

the fellow-servant probably could havepaid it back had he been given more time.Instead, however, of being patient with hisfellow-servant, the one who owed such agreat debt, "laid hands on him, and tookhim by the throat, saying, Pay me thatthou owest. And his fellow-servant felldown at his feet, and besought him saying,Have patience with me and I will pay theeall And he would not; but went and casthim into prison till he should pay thedebt."7: God's Forgiveness Hinges UponMan's Forgiveness of His Fellow-servant.When it was told the king what hadhappened he called the servant to him andsaid."0 thou wicked servant, I forgavethee all that debt, because thou desirestme: should not thou also have had compassionon thy fellow-servant, even as Ihad pity on thee?" The king then deliveredhim to the "tormentors until he shouldpay all that was due unto him. So likewiseshall my heavenly Father do also unto you,if ye from your hearts; forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses." In theLord's prayer Jesus taught us to pray thepetition, "Forgive us our debts as weforgive our debtors.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior Topicfor March 14,1971DanielUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118; chooseyour favorite Psalms.Memory verse: Philippians 1:20b:"So now also Christ shall be magnified inmy body, whether it be by life, or bydeath."Scripture verses will be read alongwith the lesson.DanielWe are thinking about Daniel tonight.He is known as the boy who refused theking's food, and no doubt the best known ofall is the story about Daniel in the lions'den.Leader: If you wish to review one ofthese stories, or have someone do it foryou, it is alright. We are not, however,going to give space to these stories at thistime.12Something about DanielNothing is known of Daniel's family,but he is thought to have been of nobledescent. Read Daniel 1:3 at this timeHe was carried captive to Babylonduring the reign of Jehoiakim. He, andthree companions, because of their specialqualifications were selected to be trainedfor the king's service. We find this inchapters 1,3,4, of Daniel.Let us look at the resemblance betweenDaniel's career and that of Joseph.1. Both were carried captive inyouth, were model young men, and foundemployment in a king's court.2. Both were unjustly persecuted,their hardships becoming stepping stonesto honor, and through the interpretation ofdreams were exalted to rulership.3. Both lived pure lives in the midstof corrupt courts and died in foreign lands.Daniel like Moses was both astatesman and a prophet.Characteristics of DanielThe following verses may be used forthe Scripture verses: self control: Dan.1:8; 10:3; courage: Dan. 5:22,23; integrity:Dan. 6:4; prayerfulness: Dan.2:17,18; 6:10; humility: Dan. 10:17;spiritual vision: Dan. 7:9-12; 10:5,6.Let us pray that our statesmen mayhave some of these characteristics. Mayour President come to know that he is onlya piece of clay in the hands of God, andmay he ask God for wisdom in directingthe affairs of this nation. In asking God forthis wisdom may he make his petitionsthrough the Lord Jesus Christ.Magnifying ChristObjects: A large cardboard heart,with a small picture in the centerrepresenting Christ, and a magnifyingglass. (If a small picture is not available, aprofile sketch will serve the purpose.)Lesson: What is a magnifying glass,such as this one, used for? "To makethings larger, so that you can see thembetter."That is a very good answer. Here is alarge heart with a small picture in thecenter. It is difficult to see what this picturerepresents without the aid of GrandmaJones's magnifying glass. As I focusthe glass over the center of this heart, thepicture is enlarged until I can see itclearly. It is a picture representing Christ.This magnifying glass reminds me ofwhat Daniel did. He magnified the Lord.Did you notice that the heart did notgrow in size — only the picture? If Danielhad been like some people, he would havepraised himself. Instead he praised andmagnified the Lord.How may we magnify Christ? HereJuniors may give their ideas on how theycan magnify Christ.Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 17,1971PRAYER FOR THE BOARDOF HOME MISSIONSAND CHURCH EXTENSIONRev. Melville W. MartinScripture to consider: Acts 10; Acts 15:13-21; Acts 11:27-30The work of the Board of HomeMissions and Church Extension is that ofsupporting the smaller congregations andthe mission stations of the denominationwith counsel and funds as this help issought through the respectivepresbyteries. It also assists in the churchextension work by encouragingpresbyteries in their efforts to begin newventures. And here again it is by counseland money, as requests are received andas funds are available for this work.PRAY for the Aid-ReceivingCongregations.There are seven congregations andmission stations receiving aid through theBoard of Home Missions. This does notinclude the four very new ventures that wewill speak of later. This aid has beenrequested by presbyteries and the Boardhas evaluated each situation and approvedeach expenditure. There have been timeswhen requests were not granted afterprayerful consideration of all the needsand of our responsibility to be wisestewards of the funds which were at ourdisposal.The number of congregations andmission stations receiving aid has beendecreasing, but the total amount of the aidgranted has been rising sharply. This hasbeen due mainly to higher costs ofoperation (i.e., higher salaries). Most ofthe congregations now receiving aid aretrying to decrease the amount requestedfrom year to year. Those receiving aid,and for whom we should show a concern inprayer in 1971 are Marion, Iowa;Lawrence, Kansas; Park City, Kansas;Selma, Alabama; Fresno, California;Four-Mile at Beaver, Pa.; and Union atMars, Pa. Some of these congregationshave been organized only a short time. Weneed to pray that they will not lose heart,