The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1920-12-30
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE CHILD AND THE KINGDOM.

Lesson TEXT-Matt lS:1-i
GOLDEN TEXT Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child.
the same shall be greatest In the king
dom OF heaven Matt. 1874
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark s.g;
Luke 9:36-4S. l7:i-2
PRIMARY TOPlC-God's Care for Little
Children.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God's Care for Us.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Responsibility for the Younger and
Weaker.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Our Responsibility Tor Childhood.
!. The Greatest In the Kingdom Of
Heaven wv. 1-4).
!. The disciples question ". ~.
The promise given to Peter i'm connec-
ton with the announcement of his pur-
pose to build the church. and the pay
Ing OF tribute with the money In the
hSh's mouth, provoked jealousy on the
part OF the other disciples. The trans
hguration scene revealed the divine
person and the program Of the king
dom. Seeing that the kingdom was to
come to realization, despite the trag-
ely or the cross, the disciples thought
II best to have settled the place of
rank In the kingdom. Their behavior
betrayed their sad state Of heart. In
stead Of entering into sympathy with
Jesus In the dark hour Of his passion,
they were supremacy concerned with
the dignitles to be conferred upon
themselves.
2. Jesus answer wv. 2-4). He taught
them concretely by placing a Lille
child In their midst. ID Condition Of
entrance into kingdom ". -. He
showed them that the great question
which concerned them II as to wheth-
er they are really In the kingdom.
Their behavior revealed the fact
that they needed conversion before
they could enter into the kingdom.
Before they could even see. much less
enter into the kingdom. they must be
born from above (Joln 3:3. 81. En-
trance into the kingdom Is infinitely
more important than rank therein.
(2) WhOsOever possesses childike hu-
mility Is the greatest ". ~. The
child is dependent. lowry. and modest.
Those who have been BORN again-con-
verted. have these characteristics. The
principle which determines rank In the
Kingdom Is lOwliness of heart. In the
Kingdom we rise by sinking. The way
Is down. The more one realizes his
own unworthiness. th., more worthy
he Is of the divine favor and trust.
u. The Lords Identification With
His Believing Ones wv. SOY.
l. Receiving the believer In ChrIst's
name Is receiving Christ ". 81.
Through conversion W.T. become Gods
children. and so completely Is our life
interviewer with His that He regards
treatment OF US as treatment Of Him
self. Those who welcome into fellow
ship the lowiy believer welcome Christ.
II this were fully realized 1t would
sanctify our relationship with believ-
ers II, Christ. Reception Of believers
includes all forms OF sympathy and
aid. TO do this In Chrjss's name Is to
open our hearts to receive Him.
2. The awful peril of causing a be-
lever to stumble wv. 6D). To STUN.
BILE means to give occasion for a moral
fall. The particular reference was to
the carnality and seltiRhness which
was expressing itself IL their cOnten-
ton for pre-eininence. Such spirit
and behavior would stifln the tender
life Of babe In Christ. Their be-
havior was not only self.injury. but n
stumbling block to others. Every
Christian should sOlemnly inquire as
to whether his life would help or hin
der his fellOw-believers. Am helping
someone to a higher level. or am
pulling him down to lover? To so
sin against Christ's own IS to meet a
sure and awful fate. Els doom will
be worse than drowning In the sea
with n milestone around his neck Ii
will be eternal fire ". s..
~. Believers Are Especially Cared
For by tho Heavenly Father (vv. 1910.
1. They are under angelic guardian
ship ". lO). So precious Is the be-
lever In Gods sight that angelic mes
sengers have access to the very throne
Of God, even beh0ldlng his face. So
high Is the honor bestO we'd upon be-
levers that the highest angels are sent
to guard them.
2. The Son came especially to save
such from their lost condition wv.
11-l4). The Heavenly Father does not
will that any one Of these should per-
ish. They are the objects of the Ia
Tiers seeking love. The salvation Of
the humble believer has been secured
by tn, incarnation ana the sacrifice of
the Good Shepherd. Since God sets
such value upon even the lowest he
lever. We should be most careful, In
our manner of life before them and In