Bible in the First Three Grades by Mrs. Pauline Castle

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1907

Bible in the First Three Grades

By Mrs. Pauline Castle

“SUFFER little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” Luke 18:16. These are Jesus’ own words; he called every child. Besides calling, he took them up in his arms, and put his hands on them and blessed them. His blessing is life and health and strength.

Jesus bade Peter, “Feed my lambs.” What a privilege to feed the lambs of Jesus’ flock! What a privilege, parents, to have the opportunity of sending your children to the church-school, where their minds may be provided with the food that Jesus has for them. In childhood are received the most lasting impressions. How very important, then, that right impressions be made.

A lady, not of our faith, who was sending her little girl to school for the first time, and that to the church-school, too, once said to me: “I was surprised to have my little girl come home and tell me she was learning to read and write, ‘God is love.’ My other children never learned this in school. But how good for the first impressions to be of the Creator who made us.”

To me the Bible class with the little ones has been the most interesting class. To teach God’s words and works to the bright, active minds and to see the interest manifested is really inspiring. God has given us his Word as he would have us know it; and I made a practise of having the children learn their memory verses word for word as they are given. After thorough drilling in this way it is surprising how quickly they detect any error in verses which they hear repeated.

Then, too, they become very much interested to see how many verses they can learn through the year. The younger pupils not only learn to repeat them, but also to write them, and to draw pictures of things in nature of which they are reminded while learning the Bible verses.

Third-grade pupils may reproduce the

Bible story for language work. There are many devices the teacher may use in order that the verses and stories may be more vividly impressed upon the child’s mind. The children are often found in the home insisting upon attention while they relate some Bible story they have learned.

“Of all the books that have been placed in the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible is the book of books, and is most deserving of the closest study and attention.”—Christian Education, page 105.

Does it pay, parents, to send your children where they may learn more of God, and thus become workers for him? Our question will be fully answered when, in the new earth, parents greet their dear children, and the teachers again meet those for whom they have labored. Let us weary not in well doing. Mrs. Pauline Castle.