Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Used his Talents Aright.The owner of the funds said of theservant who had hid his one talent, "Taketherefore the talent from him, and give itunto him which hath ten talents. For untoevery one that hath shall be given and heshall have abundance; but from him thathath not shall be taken away even thatwhich he hath." Experience makes onemore proficient in any line of activity. Ifone ceases to exercise his potential in anyline of study he will find that he does noteven have a potential any more. Christiansshould exercise their religious potential inevery possible way, and by doing that theywill not lose their original investment inreligious work. In his second epistle Petersaid, "Wherefore the rather, brethren,give diligence to make your calling andelection sure; for if ye do these things, yeshall never fall" (II Peter 1:10).7: A Great Doom Awaits Those WhoHide Their Talents.The owner of the funds said concerningthe "unprofitable servant," "Casthim into outer darkness; there shall beweeping and gnashing of teeth." TheBible, worship, and religious work aregreat means of grace whereby one candevelop his talents. If God has entrusted toone the ability to gain wealth he shouldcertainly use that talent for the advancementof the kingdom of God. Allprofessing Christians should endeavor todouble their spiritual money through wiseinvestments for their Lord. To hide one'stalent is an indication of a lack of faith inGod, who is "able to make all graceabound toward you; that ye always havingall sufficiency in all things, may abound toevery good work" (II Cor. 9:8)."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 28,1971NEHEMIAHUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: Review the two Psalms thatwere learned over the thirteen-weekperiod. Memory verses to be reviewed.Print the name Nehemiah on a heavypiece of paper and back it with a piece offlannel. Place this on the flannelboard.The following characteristics of Nehemiahshould be written on pieces of paper to beready to place on the flannelboard as theScripture verses are read.Nehemiah, The Patriotic Statesman.1. Patriotism. Neh. 1:14.2. Prayerfulness. Neh. 1:5-11; 4:4,5,9.3. Faith. Neh. 2:20; 4:14.4. Courage. Neh. 4:20; 6:10,11.5. Diligence. Neh. 4:21-23; 6:3.6. Executive ability. Neh. 4:13-20.7. Firmness in the right. Neh. 13:11,17,25.8. Earnestness in reform. Neh.?5:13,15-21.If a flannelboard is not handy, ablackboard may be used.Leader: If you think a story is moreappropriate, turn to page 418 in The Child'sStory Bible and read or tell, "HowJerusalem Was Finally Rebuilt."NEW UNIT: OUR PUBLICWORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS(For April 4 —May 30)Mrs. John RussellIntroduction — Public WorshipThrough the ages man has worshipedsome thing or someone. For example, hehas worshiped the sun, rain, a mountain,an idol made by man, money, or a person.Worship means to show honor, reverence,devotion, love. But when we becomeChristians we see that God is the only trueGod. He sent His Son for our salvation andHe desires to be worshiped as the true God.The acceptable way of worshiping the trueGod is as He shows us through theScriptures and in the name of Christ. Jesussaid in John 4:24, "God is a spirit, and theythat worship Him must worship Him inspirit and in truth."The worship of Cain, for example,differed from that of Abel. Cain's offeringwas not accepted, but the worship of Abelwas approved by God because he did it inthe way God wanted. (Leader brieflyreview this story in Gen. 4:5-16.) Whenpeople worship God in any way not commandedby God, their worship is useless.Two men in the Old Testament — Nadaband Abihu — were consumed by the fire ofthe Lord because they "offered strangefire — which He commanded them not" intheir worship of God.In this unit we will study certain partsof worship that God has told us are right,such as, prayer, reading and preaching ofthe Word of God, singing of Psalms, theoffering, and administration of thesacraments. God does not want people toinvent or bring in anything to the worshipof Himself that He has not told us about.We can worship God at home alone, withour families, or anywhere and at any time.But we are going to learn about these partsof public worship, for God desires a unitedworship also. ". . .Let us exalt His Nametogether." When a boy, girl, or adultbelieves in Christ as personal Savior, hehas a desire to unite with some church andmake his feelings known to others. Andthis is pleasing to God!When we think of a church, the firstthing we picture in our minds might be abuilding, but this is not the real church.The church is made up of a body ofbelievers in Christ. We become membersof this body when we accept Christ asSavior from our sins, and Christ is Head ofthis body. We can compare it to our ownbodies with a head that controls all theparts. An outcome of this union with Christis "fellowship and communion in theworship of God." The person united toChrist is united to other believers, who arealso members of that body. We usuallyhave our public worship on the one day inseven that God appointed for a Sabbath, tobe kept holy unto Him.God created man in His own likeness.Man alone, of all God's creatures, has asoul. With that soul, man can think aboutGod, trust and love Him. The Christian lifeis a joy as well as a duty. We are to enjoyGod. He made us for Himself to havefellowship and closeness with Him. Thereis something missing and unhappy in ourlives apart from friendship with God.The more we learn about God, themore we love Him and want to please Him.And then we want to be with others whoalso love and want to serve God. Then wecan sing praise to God with others asDavid sang, "In Thy presence is fulness ofjoy; at Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).BIBLIOGRAPHYThe Shorter CatechismThe Constitution of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of North AmericaThe Book of Psalms with MusicBerkhof, L., Manual of Christian Doctrine,Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co.Elliott, Delber H., Handbook for YoungChristians.McKelvy, Anna P., Taught of the Lord(Helps for Junior leaders.)Schoolland, Marian M., Leading LittleOnes to God, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co.Tweed, J. Boyd, The Communicants'Class.Vos, J. G., Bible Truths for YoungChristians.Williamson, G. I., The WestminsterConfession of Faith, Pres. and Ref'd. Publ.Co.12 COVENANTER WITNESS