p. 10 | The Sabbath-School Lessons by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

The Sabbath-School Lessons

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

As an educational factor to mold and instruct in the truth of the Bible, the Sabbath-school lessons occupy a very important place. By means of these lessons prepared for the five divisions,—senior, junior, intermediate, primary, and kindergarten,—a systematic line of Bible study is provided for the denomination throughout the world, to be studied by all, from the gray-haired pioneers of the message down to the children of tender years. Their influence, therefore, is truly wide-spread and lasting; it can be correctly estimated only in eternity.

The field of study afforded us by means of these lessons is really almost without limit. An ocean of light and knowledge from the Word is set before us, and, if fully explored, week by week, and year by year, we should become ripe students of the Scriptures. I was really surprised recently in looking over the list of subjects studied since 1886 to find that in the senior and junior divisions alone we have given a careful study to at least twenty-two books of the Bible, some of them several times, besides having had lessons on the life of Christ, and on all the various truths of the third angel’s message again and again.

Besides, in the intermediate, primary, and kindergarten divisions, where there is a regular course of study for four years, or four years and a half, lessons on Old Testament history, the life of Christ, The Acts of the Apostles, and topical studies, have been carefully prepared and studied. The kindergarten children are taken through these lessons in their simplest form; then they pass into the primary division, where they go through the same course, but more advanced; and then into the intermediate division, to go over the same line of study again; then comes the drill in the senior lessons. All can see at once that, if these lessons are carefully studied, by the time the children reach a mature age, they will indeed be well versed in the truths of this message.

Beginning with the second quarter of 1909, a special series of lessons will begin on the life of Christ. These lessons will be uniform in all divisions, and will cover a period of seven quarters. Surely no more interesting or helpful subject could be studied than that of the life of the Master. It is by beholding that we are changed into the same image, and it is our most earnest prayer that the members of our Sabbath-schools will begin a thorough study of the life of Jesus.

These lessons are being written by competent and consecrated workers. During this series of lessons, we should live, so to speak, amid the scenes of the Saviour’s life and work when on earth. We should trace on a map his journeyings. In every way possible we should familiarize ourselves with the events concerning his life, from the manger to Calvary. But more important than all else is to behold the divine life which he lived as a man, and to have impressed upon our hearts by his Holy Spirit the beautiful truths of the gospel which he taught.

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon this great sacrifice for us, our confidence in him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with his Spirit.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 82.

As a help to the thorough study of the lesson, we urge all to secure a copy of “Desire of Ages.” No book, aside from the Bible, throws such light on the Saviour’s teaching as does this splendid book. “Christ’s Object Lessons” should also be used. There are many other excellent reference books which should be consulted in our study of the lessons.

Now what we wish to emphasize in a very marked manner is that during this year we study the lessons. Let Bible study on the life of Jesus be the watchword in every home. Some of us study, but, taken as a whole, we do not study

as we ought.

Some scarcely study at all. The Sabbath-school lesson is even neglected. To learn to think is a great work. To superficially and hurriedly look over the lessons is not studying them. Study means to dig, to dig as men do in the mines when searching for diamonds. Parents not only should search for the word as for hidden treasure, but they should assist their children in exploring the field of God’s truth spread before them week by week in these lessons. The Sabbath-school will be a soul-saving agency, and we shall grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth just in proportion as we are students of the Word. Nothing will so revive our schools, and make this branch of the work strong, as for every pupil in our schools, old and young, to thoroughly master the lesson each week,—not simply the answers to the questions asked, but to master the subject as a whole.

Takoma Park, D. C.