The Green Forest tribune., 1918-02-22
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNIHYSQIlON)L
 LESSON (By B. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of the Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute, ChcagoD (Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.1
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY "A.
JESUS TEACHES BY PARALLELS THE GROWTH OF THE KING DOM.
ssON TEXT-Mark 4:21-84.

waters cover the sea.-Isa 11:9.
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Isa. 11:1-1O.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEAC1ERS-Matt 13:4-50 (vv. 31, S2) lsa. 2:3-4; Ezek. 47:1-12; Rev. 2l1-S; 22-27; | Chap. 22:f-5; Rev. 21-S.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus telling a story about sowing.
 | MEMORY VERSE-Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man-Luke 2:52-
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-The import ance of small beginnings
 Jesus is now revealing to his disci- pies the kingdom in secret which they were later to reveal in public. Noth- ing which he now reveals should be hid, and he is also teaching that. if we do not use that what is committed to us, we lose it.
 l. Hearing (vv. 21-25). It is an ob- ligation resting upon each of us who has the light of truth that he should so set it before men that it can be seen that men may be enlightened. cheered and served by it (Matt. 5:14- IS; Phil. 1 :15-16). The secret things of our lives will be brought to light some day. Ears are given with which we are to hear and possession of hear ing involves the responsibility as to what we hear. "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16), but believing comes through "hearing" (Rom. 10 ID. In this there Is mis- sionary suggestion for our teachers. but there is also a caution as to what and how we hear. "TaBe heed what we hear' Many today are being swept into all kinds of damning here sies because they do not follow this warning c Tim. 3 :1-13). Not only are we to be good listeners but we must be doers as well Gas. 1:22). This parable of the lamp follows closely upon the parable of the sOwer in our last lesson. God, who first ere ated light, and Christ, in whom was life, and the life. was the light of men," both together are ones whom we are equally obliged to see, and hear and obey. To impress the duty of this seeing, hearing and using of light upon his disciples, Jesus reminds them of some familiar things. can dle is not placed under a bushel nor under bed, but on a candle stick, where it may be seen of all. If our virtues go not forth from us, it will be as though we had hidden them from the world. "To him that heareth right shall more be given" (v. 2D but for him that hath not and seeth not from him shall be taken. He that hath not is he who neglects his opportunities, and from him shall be taken even that which he hath" In this we see a spiritual multiplication, and also a spiritual subtraction, de- terioration.
 II. Growing. CD Secrecy ". 26-29). This Is a parable of faith and hope, found only In Mark. Again the good seed is referred to, but in this case unseen growth receives the emphasis, for the seed will spring and grow up, though we know not how. It Is com, forting to think that, if we sow the true seed, it grows while we sleep (y. 27.) The best selected seed (the holy word) is essential for results. All of our seed must have this silent pc riod for growth. It is the earth that brings forth the fruit of herself through the energies and powers with which God endows 1t. These powers are wonderful. We do not understand them, but there is order and symmetry in growth First the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear. Then is the harvest. the purpose of the seed having been ac- coplplished. Mark alone gives us this parable, and it Is given in close reia- tion to the parable of the sower and of the wheat and tares. Jesus is the great harvester (v. 29), and knows the right time to reap the grain, the mo- ment when it is "ripe" (v. 29 R. V). Thea he putteth in the sickle.
 CD There is also marvellous out | ward growth of the kingdom (vv. 3O- 32). There is the closest relation be- tween the parable of the mustard seed and the two parables that pre- cede. In Matthew the parable of the mustard seed is used in relation to the kingdom of heaven, which is the sphere of the Christian profession. Here 1t is used of the kingdom of God. which is spiritual Why is it used of both? The explanation, according to Doctor Scofield, lies in the fact that the kingdom of God in this age and the kingdom of heaven have this in common, that from an insignificant beginning they had a rapid growth. On the day of Pentecost, for example, the first day when the Gospel was preached in the power of the Holy | Spirit 5000 were added to the church; ; | that is, 5000 really and truly believed | and were therefore brought into the Kingdom of God This corresponds with the rapid growth of the mustard tree from the smallest seeds, but in all the details of it's meaning, the para ble of the mustard seed should not be interpreted of the kingdom of God. The central thought in both cases of this parable is stated-the rapid growth from a small beginning.
 If the abnormal growth of this common garden shrub illustrates di- vine increase, why is it not more glori- ouS0 Thare is not here anything |