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International S. S. Lessons

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 45.

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International S. S. Lessons.

By Editor

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8

LESSON XIV.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1894.

REVIEW.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
Golden Text: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel."
LESSON 1.—The Birth of Jesus. Luke 2:1-16. Golden Text: "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. The principal events of this lesson are: (1) The time, the days of Cæsar Augustus; (2) the marriage between Joseph and Mary; (3) the angel's visit to the shepherds; (4) the birth of Jesus.
LESSON 2.—Presentation in the Temple. Luke 2:25-38. Golden Text: "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." The two important things in this lesson are the prophecies of Simeon and Anna concerning Jesus. They show that God in his providence had revealed to these holy persons the time of Christ's first coming into the world.
LESSON 3.—Visit of the Wise Men. Matt. 2:1-12. Golden Text: "They saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him." Verse 11. The chief events of this lesson are the visit of the men to Jerusalem, guided by the star, and from thence, after their inquiry for Christ, to Bethlehem, where they find Jesus, and there bestow upon him their gifts, returning to their own country another way, through the warning which God gives.
LESSON 4.—Flight into Egypt. Matt. 2:13-23. Golden Text: "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in." Ps. 121:8. The principal lesson of this scripture is God's preserving care. All the world may plot against the purposes of God, but they cannot defeat them. Just the same as the Lord cared for the infant Jesus and protected him from all danger, just so he will protect everyone who makes Christ his refuge.
LESSON 5.—The Youth of Jesus. Luke 2:40-52. Golden Text: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Verse 52. The event of this lesson, around which all others cluster, is the visit of Jesus to the temple at the age of twelve years. The valuable lesson of the scripture is subjection and obedience to parents (an example for every youth), together with his increase in wisdom. The truest way to progress and true wisdom is submission to God.
LESSON 6.—The Baptism of Jesus. Mark 1:1-11. Golden Text: "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Verse 11. This lesson involves the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism of our Lord, and the testimony of the Father to Christ's divine sanction.
LESSON 7.—Temptations of Jesus. Matt. 4:1-11. Golden Text: "In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15. The lesson of this scripture is the lesson learned by our Lord Jesus Christ. There is presented all the temptations which the enemy of all righteousness brings, under three heads, and how our Lord met them successfully by simple faith in the word of God. In this same way, by the power of the word of God as it is in Christ Jesus, or, in other words, by laying hold of the victory which our Saviour obtained, must every soul meet the temptations which Satan brings against them. As Christ met them by having God's word in his heart, even so should we lay up the word of God in our heart, that we may not sin against him. Ps. 119:11.
LESSON 8.—The First Disciples of Jesus. John 1:35-49. Golden Text: "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." Verse 41. This lesson brings before us John's witness to Christ; and the first disciples of Jesus, who followed him because of the witness which John bare. These first disciples were Andrew and Peter, Philip and Nathanael. In this lesson we are shown the true Spirit of Christ. He who finds Christ will desire to tell others.
LESSON 9.—The First Miracle of Jesus. John 2:1-11. Golden Text: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." Verse 11. We are taught in this lesson Christ's regard for the institution of marriage,—sanctifying it by his own presence,—and how he manifested forth his glory—his character—in supplying the wants of his creatures, from which he would have us learn that, as he used creative power to supply the temporal wants, comparatively unimportant, how much more will he use it to supply our spiritual needs.
LESSON 10.—Jesus Closing the Temple. John 2:13-25. Golden Text: "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise." Verse 16. The lesson which ought to be learned from this scripture is not to mingle the holy and profane. God's service demands all our heart, absolute and willing submission to his holy law, and a cheerful carrying out of all the directions and instructions which he has given. The Jews, very particular in their traditions, had utterly lost sight of these. Even so it is at the present time; many are very particular in regard to the traditions of man, but have counted as common those things which God has made holy. A wonderful example of this we have in the Sabbath question (see Eze. 22:25, 26), and in the desecration by fairs and festivals of the churches which have been set apart for God's service.
LESSON 11.—Jesus and Nicodemus. John 3:1-16. Golden Text: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Verse 16. The great lesson in this scripture is the one which Jesus sought to teach Nicodemus,—except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. This is also a lesson which we cannot learn by our own reason, nor accomplish by our own power. It must be learned by simple faith in the power of God's word.
LESSON 12.—Jesus at Jacob's Well. John 4:4-26. Golden Text: "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." Verse 14. Apart from the great truth which is set forth in the golden text, that salvation comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, we may also learn two other lessons: First, we must be willing, as did the woman of Samaria, to receive the truth of God through whatever source he may send it to us; and, second, to acceptably worship God we must worship him in spirit and truth. Both of these principles are set at naught in these days. Some of the most precious truths of God's word are set aside and called Jewish, simply because God gave them through the Jews. But Jesus says, "Salvation is of the Jews;" and, again, many times we are taught that it does not matter so much what we believe, if we only have the right spirit. But the right spirit always has respect to the truth; and he who worships in the Spirit of God will be continually learning of the truth of God.
These twelve lessons take in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ from his birth up to the close of his first year's ministry. They are a most interesting study, not only as regards the lessons themselves, but as regards the history of the times to which they pertain. In and through it all may be seen the working out of God's plan for the salvation of the race.

LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 29, 1894.

TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 19:28-48.
28. And when he had thus spoken, he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.
29. And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples,
30. Saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in the which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him.
31. And if anyone ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.
32. And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them.
33. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34. And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35. And they brought him to Jesus; and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon.
36. And as he went, they spread their garments in the way.
37. And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen;
38. Saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39. And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40. And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.
41. And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
42. Saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43. For the days shall come upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44. And shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45. And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold.
46. Saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of robbers.
47. And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him.
48. And they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.
Do not fail to notice how few subjects are embraced in this chapter, and how easily it may be held in mind. Of course no one will fail to note that what is done with the chapters in this study may be done with any other portions of the Bible, and you have doubtless been applying it in your reading and study elsewhere. Of course the Epistles and some chapters of instruction in the gospels are more difficult of analysis than simple narrative. Yet a little observation and close thought will enable you to recall at will the location of many things in the Bible with which you are familiar in a general way, but the benefit of which you have largely lost because you could not tell where they are, or turn to them without the aid of a concordance.
  1. When Jesus had spoken the parable recorded in the preceding lesson, toward what place did he go?
  2. When he reached the Mount of Olives, what did he do?
  3. What commission did he give the two disciples?
  4. What did they do with the colt when they had brought it to him?
  5. What did they do as they went?
  6. What took place when they came to the brow of the mountain?
  7. In what words did the multitude praise the Lord?
  8. What did some of the Pharisees say to Jesus?
  9. What did Jesus reply?
  10. What did Jesus do when he came near the city?
  11. What was the cause of his weeping?
  12. What did he say would come upon Jerusalem?
  13. How complete did he say the destruction of it would be?
  14. Why was all this to come upon it?
  15. When Jesus came to the temple, what did he do?
  16. What did he say to the buyers and sellers?
  17. What did he continue doing in the temple?
  18. What did the chief priests and others seek to do?
  19. Why did they not effect their purpose?

NOTES.

1. It would be a good thing to take a few moments of the class time in an outline review of the lessons of the quarter. If the lessons have been well studied, it need not take more than five minutes to give the main topics of chapters 12-19. Perhaps someone will give a complete outline of them. One pupil may be asked to give the subject or subjects of one chapter, and another of another. A good drill, also, will be to take up the chapters promiscuously, going backwards and forwards; or a certain event or parable may be named and the pupils asked to tell where it is found. But do not let this exercise, necessary as it is, draw the mind away from the important lesson under consideration. The student may give himself this test at home.
2. "I TELL you if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Why would this be?—Because, long before, this thing had been foretold in prophecy. See Zech. 9:9. God's word cannot fail. If men will not act the part assigned them, the very stones will do their work. God's word is so full of life that it can animate the stones. Compare Matt. 3:9.