Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

nation."'Rep. Siler said it was his belief that many people "thinkthe greatest deficiency of our present Constitution lies in itsfailure specifically to recognize God Almighty and America'sdefinite position as a great Christianbe,""The Constitution is whatever the people decide it shallhe said, "and, since most of the American people areGod-fearing and Christ-following, the Constitution itselfshould make manifestation accordingly."LEST WE BE DISCOURAGEDWhen we read of the vast membership and the largebudgets of other denominations we ought not to feel that ourwork is insignificant and useless to the Lord. RememberChrist's words, "Fear not, little flock, it is the fathers goodpleasure to give you the Kingdom."CHRIST IS GREATER Cont'd, from page 23let us think of ourselves as people who have beengranted the high privilege of witnessing for vitaltruths of Christ which today have been forsaken,and press forward with our eyes fixed upon theChrist who will show us how to serve effectively inHis Glorious Kingdom.Lesson Helps for the Week of July 31, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor July 31, 1955Colossians Ch. 3, 4.Comments by Alvin W. Smith D.D.Psalms:45:1-4, page 116.133:1-3, page 330.Prayers:1. For understanding the mind of theSpirit as expressed by the apostle Paul.2. For the grace to give Christ thepre-eminence in all things and to findour completeness in Him.3. For the grace to live out the exhortations of chapters 3, 4.4. For all of the C.Y.P.U. Camps.A Suggested Meeting PlanAfter the opening psalm and prayer,suppose you number off 1 and 2 aroundthe group in attendance. Then all theONES sit together on one side, all ofthe TWOS on the other. Do this asquickly and quietly as possible. Afterthat read aloud chapters 3 and 4 as follows : the leader will read two verses,group ONE two verses in concert, likewise group TWO and so forth to the endof chapter 4. The rest will be in thenature of a quiz with the leader askingthe questions. If the person addressedmisses the answer to the question theleader will pass it to the next personon the other side until properly answered. Let the sponsor keep score.(The object is to stimulate interest, notjust to determine a winning side.)Questions in Review1. From what citywas this epistleprobably written?2. What two other letters were sentout at the same time?3. Who carried them to their destinations ?4. Where was Colosse located?5. Did Paul found this church? ifnot who probably did?6. Through whom had Paul receivedword of the conditions in this church?7. What good news of them cheeredPaul?July 13, 19558. What ill report gave Paul graveconcern for them?9. What three agencies did Paul employ to establish them in the faith?10. As stated in such verses as 1:18,19, 2:9, 10 what would you say is thetheme of this epistle?New Questions on Ch. 3, 4.(More than just Yes or No)11. If the Christian is in principlealready dead to sin, why is there needfor him to be on guard against sinningany more?12. What 'action' verbs serve as positive commands to us in 3:1-5.13. Wherein does God's wrath makesin something more than mere idle speculation? (treating sin with a detachedattitude.) 3:6.14. How had the Colossians lived before they became Christians 3:5, 8.See for comparison 1 Cor. 6 :9-ll.15. What vices belonging to the former way of livingare to be 'put off?16. What graces or virtues of the newman are to be 'put on'?17. Does psalmody play as prominenta part in our thinking as it evidentlydid in the early churches of the N.T.times ?18. What reciprocity is called for inthe three relationships :husbands andwives, parents and children, mastersand servants?19. How would this cure brokenhomes, delinquency (adult and juvenile),industrial strife?20. In ch. 4, what did Paul requestfor himself on the part of the Colossians?21. Who was Onesimus and where didhe fit into the relationshipand slave?of master22. Who was Marcus and what rifthad he once caused between Paul andBarnabas?23. What loving designation is madeof Luke? Where and when had hejoined Paul's party?24. What contributions did he maketo Christianity?25. For what other church was thissame epistle meant also?26. What sign is here of genuine Pauline authorship?Memory VersesReview: ch. 1:17-19, 2:6.Learn ch. 3:1, 4:2.For InformationThe following is offered for some understanding of the teachings containedin chapters 3 and 4. Previously in thefirst two chapters, the apostle has appealed to their experience as believers'in Christ and has set forth the supremacy and completeness of Christ to meettheir every need. He has put his fingerupon the false teachings which someof them appeared to have already accepted and has sounded warningsagainst the dangers inherent in thoseteachings.Appeal For the Higher Life 3:1-113:1-11This appeal is made upon the basis oftheir union with Christa. In death unto sin.b. In beingeousness.raised unto life and rightTherefore seek those things which areabove, where Christ sitteth. Set youraffections there, not on earthly things.There is to be a future manifestation inglory of our life in Him, now, for thepresent, hidden. Compare with the sameappeals in Rom. 6:1-13 and Eph. 2:1-6.This Calls for Separation, From Sin . . .And the Positive Putting On of HoUnessGarments of Holiness 3:12-17.Compare this with the companionpassage in Eph. 4:21-32.Reciprocity in Domestic Life 3:18-4:13:18-4:1The apostle treats the threefold relationship within the household: a. husband and wife, b. parent and child, c.master and slave. "If by modern standards Paul seems tc fail to treat thewife on an equality with her husband,two facts must be borne in mind. Insome of the churches of the time there25