Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

understanding."princess"Lesson Helps for the Week of September 12, 1954C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor September 12, 1954CHURCH OR SCHOOL FIRST?Rev. J. E. McElroy, Morning Sun, IowaPsalms100:1-4, page 23737:1-4, page 9134:6-9, page 82122:1-3, page 316References: Jeremiah 10:12; Job 36:13-15, 21Those that hated knowledge: Isaiah 1:15, 16; Micah 3:4Promises to those who heed: Proverbs1:1-8; Isaiah 61:1, 2; Prov. 1:33;Romons6:14; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.Text: Prov. 1:28-33; 3:19-22; John 8:32.School bells are ringing again, reminding us that school is again callingpupils to advanced activities in the fieldof learning. The subject indicates achoice or many choices that need to bemade. For many things there is nochoice. One of a certain age must go toschool, then when in school certainsubjects are required and certain activities are necessary to have a balancedprogram. School work is demanding,and with alluringextra-curricular activities is time-consuming. Neglect ofchurch duties is easy.Proverbs 3:13, "Happy is the manthat findeth wisdom, and the man thatgettethThe emphasisis placed on the importance of wisdom.Going to school helps one to learn thefacts and how to use them. Happinessmay be had in the satisfactions of using well the facts.Jesus provides the greatest wisdom.We know that those who follow thetruth as He lived it and taught it findfreedom as can be found in no other.ofJesus said.J'Seek ye first the kingdomGod."As students there seems toneed to be a division of loyalties, thatis to enjoy school and at the same timeto obey ChristWhen a conflict comeshow do we choose? If the Church orC. Y. P. U. is to function as it should,there needs to be week-day activitiesand those activities are often a successin proportion to the attendance andparticipation. Each one absent detractsfrom the effective work being accomplished. Each then has his or her responsibility in the success of that activity. It does make a difference howwe choose.126With many schools represented insome societies and different schedulesin each community it is important thatschool officials and church leaders workout a plan to co-operate on the demandson the students. It is being worked outin many communities and can be donewith some degree of satisfaction. Oneimportant idea is that when the planis made it is important to co-operatein the plan. If the church plans for usthen we should be loyal.Suggestions:1. Arrange a debate with two on eachside with such a subject as: Resolvethat school activities during the weekare more important than church activities during the week.2. Or, have one discuss the part of oneperson's responsibility to a group.3. Or, discuss the idea of having allreligious activityon Sabbath and noneduring the Week. Is it a sound idea?Prov. 1:25, 33.4. How can we helpour school andchurch to co-operate? What is our partin that co-operation?(Make plans tonight for speaker fornext meeting; subject: "Christ and myVocation.")JUNIOR TOPICSeptember 13, 1954by Mrs. Wilbur J. Keys"THE BIRTH OF ISAAC"Bible Readings: Genesis 18:9-15, Genesis21:1-8.Memory Verse:"Jesus answered andsaid unto him, Verily, verily, I sayunto thee, Except a man be bornagain, he cannot see the kingdom ofGod."John 3:3.Psalms to sing:Psalm 55: 12, 13, 17, page 140 (ourpsalm to be sung from memory forthis month)Psalm 126:1-4,page 321Psalm 105 : 1, 2, 6, page 257Psalm 89:1-4,page 216References : Find the answers to the following questions.1. What was the covenant God madewith Abraham? Gen. 17:4-8.2. How do we know that Isaac was ason of promise? Rom. 9:7-93. What does Paul say of Isaac? Gal.4:22, 23, 28-314. How did Sarah bare a son in herold age? Heb. 11:11, 125. Why was Sarah's son named Isaac?Gen. 17:19We have been hearingmuch aboutcovenants this past year. Last monthyoustudied about the covenant Godmade with Noah. Today we have another covenant. This is the covenant Godmade with Abraham. What is a covenant? It could be an agreement, a bargain or a deal made with someone. Butfor this lesson, let us call it a "promise."God made several promises to Abraham.Perhaps you shall have time to read thechapters we are skipping and discoverthe promises God made to Abraham.When Godchanged Abram's nameto Abraham he promised to make him"a father of manynations"which is themeaning of his name. One time whenGod was talking to Abraham about it,He said, "Look now toward heaven, andtell the stars, if thou be able to numberthem: and He said unto him, So shallthy seed be." Sarai's name was changedto Sarah meaning "thebecause she was to be the mother of nations and kings. But we find Abraham atthe age of ninety-nine and Sarah at theage of ninety still without children.They are becoming impatient with God,because they think they are too old tohave children of their own. Abrahameven went so far as to laugh at theLord for promising him a son. God tellshim to name his son Isaac (Laughter),because Abraham rejoiced when thisson was promised him. I suspect God istesting the faith of these two. Continually God reassures Abraham and Sarahthat His promise will come true.Last week you will recall that Godand His two angels visited Abraham atMamre and again told him and Sarahthat the following year they would havea son. Sarah laughed within herselfshowing her lack of faith and trust inGod. Immediately, the Lord reprovedher. Sarah tried to cover up her guiltwith a lie of denial, but the Lord knowsour very thoughts and is saddened byour sins.In Genesis 21 we find God's promisecomes true, and Isaac is born "at the settime of which God had spoken to him."The new born son is named Isaac asGod commanded. Let us discover someother reasons for his name meaninglaughter beside the one already mentioned. (1) It was God's command; (2)When Sarah received the promise, shelaughed because of distrust; (3) Isaacwas himself afterward laughed at byIshmael, his half-brother (God's favoritechildren are always laughed at by thoseof the world) ; and (4) The promise thatTHE COVENANTER WITNESS