Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-24
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGYSQIOOL
LESSON
(By p. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of
the Sunday School Course OF the Moody.
Bible Institute, Chicago)
lcopyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR JANUARY 20
JESUS AT WORK.

Nhys-JOnn ssA
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-Matt 4:23-25; Luke 4:16-22
31-44 Matt. 9:35-4S; 11:2s-sO; Luke s:1-s.
PRIMARY MEMORY vERsE-And he
healed many that were sick.-Marl5 1874
INTERMEDIATE ToPIC-The power
and sympathy of Jesus.
MEMORY VERSE-GaI. go.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Jesus
meeting human needs.
At the risk of repetition we will once
! more call attention to the new plan Of
Sunday-schoOl lessons. It's character
istics are: First, the uniform teaching.
A general lesson title and the same
general Scripture passages as the basis
Of study for all grades. One Golden
text for all, although frequently de-
votional Scripture lesson and particu-
lar text which is intended for the
opening worship of the school or for
departments of the school, with addi-
tional scriptural material for the use
of teachers Of the various grades.
Second, the grades and ages. The
grades recognized are: Primary, pupils
from six to eight inclusive I; Junior, nine
to eleven or twelve inclusive; inter-
mediate boys and girls, twelve or thlr-
teen to seventeen Inclusive; senior or
young people, eighteen to twenty-four;
adults, twenty-five and upwards. Be-
ginners are not included In these les
sons, as they have been provided for
In the beginners lessons Of the graded
courses. Third, the graded teachers.
Different lesson topics or titles as
adapted to the different grades. Again,
memory verses for the various grades.
Additional scriptural material intended
especially for the graded lesson wri-
ters and teachers. Sometimes the les
son text for certain grade is simply
small portion Of the uniform or gen.
eral Scripture passage for that day.
The first six months of this year
. will be devoted to the Gospel of Mark.
Every syllable will be covered during
the course. Then there is to be three
months course of study in the Chris
tian life on such vital topics as: The
Beginning Of Christian Life, Reading
Gods Word, Praying to God, Obeying
God, Growing Stronger, Speaking for
Christ, COnquerlng Evil, etc., appar-
emily disconnected, but really a vitality
related course on topics dealing with
Christian living.
The Lesson for Today.
!. The Man Of the UncIean Shirt
(vv 21-2T. Jesus was teaching In the
synagogue, and the results were far
different from those in Capernaum or
Nazareth. (See Luke :16-30.) But as
, always, evil is present with good, and
evil always recognizes true piety,
hence those present recognized that q
God-sent man with a God-given mes
sage was speaking. Sunday-school
teachers should also speak with au-
thority, for we are as "the oracles of
Cod" Il Peter 4:11.) Notice Christ's
power over spiritual evil. wv. 23-27.)
Demoniacal possession, we are told, is
quite common today in China and other
heathen lands. The terror of this de-
mon at the words of Christ may sug-
gest how evil men will feel when
Christ shall come again. AS always,
evil desires to be 'Iet alone" but
Christ would not let him alone. The
demon did not want to come out, but
he was helpless before the power of
Christ and had to come, and in coming
he made himself so felt that the people
were "all amazed" Neither astonish,
ment nor amazement, however, is con-
version.
u. Peters Mother-in-Law (vv. 1884.
In this next scene we have one Of the
homes wherein Jesus manifested his
power over physical or bodily Illness.
Notice Christ was abiding with his
own loved ones. Here is an example
on the part Of Christ of how to do per-
sonal work. Also an example and a
testimony that service is a testimony
Of gratitude. The fact that this one
was healed and that she began at once
to serve, is also a testimony to the
fact of the cure. There was sickness
In that home, not "error of mortal
mind" and they did what was best
brought the sick one to Jesps. Again
In verse 30 is this keyword of Marks
Gospel, "straightway." Jesus could
heal at a distance (JOhn 4 4:50-53), but
he liked to come straight up to the
afflicted one. Notice he took her by
the hand. This, too, is lesson for us.
The gospel of handclasp is too often
neglected. The "taking-by-the-hand"
religion is much needed In our
churches today. Notice he also "raised
her up" People need to be lifted to-
day. 1t is not enough to command
them to rise; we must also help them
to arise. Then 1t was that "the fever
left her." Sickness, as well as de-
mons, gave way before the Lord.
The concluding scene of this day
wv, c2-S5) is remarkable and presents
vivid and beautiful picture. "At
even when the sun did set" ". 32) they
brought unto him "all" that were dis
eased. While all were gathered at the /
door, not all were healed, for the rec
ord says "many were healed" We
read, many are called, but few cho-
sen." All that city was gathered that
eVentide about PETERS door (v 0QN hut