OCTOBER 15. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. i. Morning Lesson, Matt. ix. 27–31. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 27. From what place? From the house of Jairus. What prophecy was there that Christ should be of the family of David? Is. xi. 1. Jer. xxiii. 5. What did they mean by saying, “have mercy upon us?” Show mercy to us by giving us our sight.-VERSE 28. Could Christ open the eyes of the blind? Matt. xix. 26. Why did they believe that he could do this? Because probably they had heard of Christ's having even raised the dead to life.-VERSE 29. Is there any other instance of Christ's having touched the eyes of the blind? Matt. xx. 34. How did they show their faith? By calling upon him to do what man could not do.-VERSE 30. Why did Christ charge them not to tell any man? Matt. xii. 16-19. Isaiah xlii. 2.-VERSE 31. Why did they spread abroad his fame? Because they were grateful to Christ for having restored their sight-and because they were anxious that others should also be healed by him. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the necessity of faith to obtain blessings from Christ, and of gratitude for every blessing received. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xiv. Afternoon Subject, The Bible our only sure guide in matters of religion. CONVERSATION ON THE SUBJECT. Why do you come to the Sabbath school? That I may be taught in the scriptures. What makes you value the scriptures so much? Because they are divine. Do you mean by this answer that the scriptures speak to us in the name of God? Yes: they reveal his will, and contain truth only. But were not the scriptures written by men? Yes. How then are they divine? God taught those who wrote them, what to write. How did God do this? By his Spirit which moved them when they wrote. What part of scripture says so? Many parts. Mention some and read them to me. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. 2 Pet. i. 19-21. Rom. xv. 4. 1 Cor. x. 11. Acts xxviii. 25. Heb. iii. 7; ix. 8; x. 15. Rom. xi. 1. 2 Peter iii. 2. [The teacher should study these and other passages, and show how they bear upon the subject.] Then we are to consider the Bible as the word of God? Yes. And if so, must it not be taken as our only guide in all our religious concerns? Certainly: it cannot guide us wrong. But do you not think that some things may have been omitted which nevertheless may be important? No: for we are sure that if God is kind enough to teach us by his word, he will teach us thoroughly. "As for God his way is perfect." Ps. xviii. 30. Then Yes. suppose some other religious book claims to be true, how do you decide whether it is? By comparing it with the Bible. Have you any scripture precept requiring you to do this? Isaiah viii. 20. And suppose some person tells you that you ought to do this and to do that in religion, or to believe this and that, how do you act? I compare what he says with the scriptures, and if what he says agrees with scripture I feel bound to do and believe as he says: if not, I reject what he says. Well, we leave this subject at present, and shall follow it another time. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the goodness of God in becoming our teacher, and the importance of being "doers" as well as "hearers" of his word. OCTOBER 22. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. ii. Morning Lesson, Matt. ix. 32-34. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 32. To whom did they bring the dumb man? Was he afflicted in any other way? Yes, he was possessed with a devil. Why was he brought to Christ? His great power and compassion spread abroad his fame. Matt. viii. 16, 17. Mark i. 32, 33.VERSE 33. Was the power of Christ exercised upon this evil spirit? We are told the devil was cast out and the dumb spake. Most likely the first words of the dumb man would be words of gratitude to him who had loosed his tongue. What did the multitudes think of this wonderful cure? They marvelled or wondered greatly. In what words did they express their astonishment? "It was never so seen in Israel." They had never seen an evil spirit cast out by the Saviour, and thought that such miracles were not performed in their country.-VERSE 34. Who also stood looking on? The Pharisees, who were ever near to watch with evil eyes the works of Christ. Did they join in the wonder of the multitudes? No. They showed what was in their hearts by saying that Jesus cast out devils through the prince of the devils. See also Matt. xii. 24-30. Was not this Yes. For it was not likely that Beelzebub would oppose himself. Was it not sinful language? Yes. It was a kind of blasphemy against Christ. language very foolish? IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the promptness of Christ's compassion, the greatness of his forbearance, and the sin of being prejudiced against him as were the Pharisees. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xv. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. ix. 35-38. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 35. Where did Jesus go? About all the cities and villages. Mark vi. 6; Luke xiii. 22. Why did Christ thus visit these places? To teach in the synagogues and to preach the gospel to the people. Did the Saviour teach and preach only? No. Wherever he journeyed he healed the sick and cured those who were diseased. Mark vi. 56. Let the teacher dwell upon the beautiful picture presented in this reference.—VERSE 36. How was the heart of Christ moved when he saw the multitudes? He was moved with compassion towards them. Why? Because they fainted, "or were tired and lay down," and were scattered abroad. What did their condition remind him of? 'Sheep having no shepherd." How so? When sheep are without shepherd they have lost their guide and defence. They wander widely apart and are easily a prey to wild beasts. Is this figure found in other parts of scripture? Yes. Numb. xxvii. 17; 1 Kings xxii. 17; Ezek. xxxiv. 5, 6, &c.-VERSE 37. What did Christ mean by the harvest? The ingathering of his disciples. How was it plenteous? There were many multitudes to be taught and made disciples. Who were the labourers? Those who taught and instructed and guided the people. How were they few? Christ and his apostles were the only ones at that time.-VERSE 38. What is implied in this direction? That God alone can raise up proper teachers, and that we must pray him to do so. IMPROVEMENT. Notice 1, The unwearied benevolence of Christ: 2, The enlightened pity of Christ: 3, The importance of prayer to God for a proper supply of gospel ministers and teachers. Request the class to pray on behalf of the teachers. OCTOBER 29. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. vi. Morning Lesson, Matt. xi. 1—6. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSE 1. Which were "their cities?" John i. 44.-VERSE 2. Why was John in prison? Matt. xiv. 3, 4.-VERSE 3. Why did John ask this question? That his disciples might not mistake him for the Messiah. Did John ever tell his hearers that he was the Messiah? John i. 20, 21, 29.-VERSE 4. Did Christ at that time perform any miracles? Luke vii. 21. How was this an answer to the question? John x. 25.-VERSE 5. How did the fact that the poor had the gospel preached to them prove him to be the Messiah? In fulfilment of prophecy. Isaiah lxi. 1.-VERSE 6. What is it to be offended in Christ? Not to follow him, because either of his own poverty or the poverty of his disciples. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the duty of following Christ and the sin of rejecting him. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xix. 1–29. Afternoon Lesson, Matt. xi. 7—15. NOTES ON THE LESSON. Matt. xi. 2. What multitudes? Matt. iii. 1. VERSE 7. Who departed? Matt. iii. 5. When did John preach in the wilderness? Whom does a reed shaken with the wind denote? A changing, inconstant man. Why did Christ ask this question? To direct their attention to John's sincerity and persevering zeal.-VERSE 8. How was John clothed? Matt. iii. 4.-VERSE 9. What did he prophecy? Matt. iii. 2, 11. How was he more than a prophet? He saw his prophecy fulfilled. John i. 29.-VERSE 10. Where is the prophecy? Mal. iii. 1.-VERSE 11. Who is meant by the least in the kingdom of heaven? The least of the apostles of Christ and of the first preachers. How were they superior to John? They had seen more of Christ's works and miracles.-VERSE 12. What does the expression 'the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence' denote? The earnestness of men to obtain the blessings of the gospel.-VERSE 13. What portions of scripture were the prophets and the law? The law denoted the five books of Moses, and the prophets the remaining books of the Old Testament.-VERSE 14. In what respect could John be called Elias? Luke i. 17. The two were very much alike in zeal.-VERSE 15. What is meant by this? That God holds us responsible for hearing the truth. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon, 1, The devotedness of John to his appointed work: 2, The superior privileges of christianity over all previous divine revelations: 3, The importance of earnestness in seeking salvation. NOVEMBER 5. Morning Reading, 2 Sam. vii. Morning Lesson, Matt. xi. 16-24. NOTES ON THE LESSON. VERSES 16, 17. What did Christ refer to in this language? The dissatisfaction of the Jews with God's messengers, so that they were not pleased either by joyful or mournful intelligence.-VERSE 18. How did John come without eating or drinking? He differed from other men in his food. Luke i. 15; Matt. iii. 4.-VERSE 19. What instances are there of Christ's having done this? Luke v. 29, 30; xv. 1, 2; xix. 7. Was he gluttonous and a winebibber? No. How was wisdom justified of her children? Although some hated him, yet the wise would appreciate and approve of his conduct, and that of John.-VERSE 20. What is it to "upbraid?" To reprove.VERSE 21. Where were Chorazin and Bethsaida? Near CaperWhere Tyre and Sidon? In Phoenicia. What works were done in Bethsaida? Mark viii. 22-25; Luke ix. 10-17. What naum. disciples were of Bethsaida? John i. 44.-VERSE 23. How was Capernaum exalted to heaven? IMPROVEMENT. Dwell upon the duty of not only attending to, but also of profiting by, the means of grace, and of the shame and woe that will follow the rejection of the gospel. Afternoon Reading, Gen. xxi. Afternoon Lesson, the Bible better than tradition. CONVERSATION ON THE LESSON. You remember our speaking of the Bible as our only guide in matters of religion a few Sabbaths since ? Yes. Will you tell me what you remember?...... Now you know what tradition is? Yes. Knowledge that is handed down from one generation to another. Do you think that tradition should be made our rule in matters of religion? No; because the Bible is our sufficient rule already. Do you think tradition is ever true? Yes, sometimes. Not always then? No, very seldom. Why do you think so? Because man's memory is imperfect, and what is true when first told is added to afterwards, until it becomes corrupted and false. Have you ever had proof of this? Yes. I have heard of many things in this neighbourhood, which were perhaps true when first mentioned; but every one has added a little to them, until they have become quite untrue. Then you would not trust man in conveying religious truth to others? No. Not without the Bible constantly to correct him. Did Christ ever condemn those who followed tradition instead of the law? Yes. Mark vii. 9, 13. Did his apostles ever condemn them? Yes. Col. ii. 8; 2 Thess. 3, 6. But is not tradition approved of in some parts of the apostle's writings? Yes. 1 Cor. xi. 2; 2 Thess. ii. 15. How do you account for this? It was not properly tradition, for the apostle had taught both churches himself. He merely meant that the Corinthians and Thessalonians were to remember and practice what he taught. Then it was scarcely the same thing as what we mean by tradition? No. There was no "handing down" through different persons. Besides the apostle was taught of God, and would teach them aright. Well, we shall speak of some who follow tradition now instead of scripture the next time we speak on this subject. IMPROVEMENT. Dwell on the importance of endeavouring to understand aright the authority of the Bible as an inspired book. |