The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-09-28
MPR0VED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl11nldayScf1ool.
' Lesson
'ny REV. P. b. FITZWATER. d. D.,
Teacher OF Englioh BIble In t,,a Moodv
Bible Institute OF Chicago1
Sopyr'kh'. 1872 western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR OCTOBER |.
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

|
the sight OF the Lord and he shall drink
no vine nor strong drink.-Luke 1:l5.
PREFERENCE MArERIAL-Isa. 4O:3-5;
Nal. 4H-G
PRIMARY ToPIC-An Angel Brings
Good News
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Birth Of John the
Baptist.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
preparation for the Coming of Christ. .
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tile Place and Work of John the Bap-
tist
We are today entering upon a six
months course of study in the Gospel
of Luke, whose general subject is
Jesus the Worlds Savior" Today's
lesson concerns the birth Of John tie,
Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.
]. The Parents Of John the Baptist
wv 30.
l. When They Lived (v. -. "In the
days Of llerod the King" They lived
In day when ungodliness was rife.
The priesthood was very corrupt ana
the ruling classes were wicked. Zach
arins and his wife lived in time
when 1t was not SO easy to be godly.
2. Their Character w. g.. They
were righteous before God. 10 be
righteous before God is high tribute.
Many appear TO be righteous before
men who are not righteous before God.
Their lives were so mated that they
walked in the commandments of the
lord blameless. How beautiful 1t is
when husband and wife are united in
the Lord and walk together in fellow
ship with God.
3. They Were Childless ". y.
Though this godly couple were well
mated and they possessed the JOY Of
the Lord in their souls, there was Il
real lack in that home.
u. The Birth OF John Promised Wv.
s-1T.
/. BY Whom (v. II; ci' v. 10). The
angel Gabriel appeared and made
known the good news to Zacharias.
This exalted being, the special mes
scngcr of God, was sent to make this
disclosure.
.. When Wv. $40. While omciat.
ing as priest this good news came tc
him. Iachnrias must have been def
nitcly praying about this very matter
". 10. AS lie burned incense, whici
typiiied prayer, the multitude without
were praying.
3. characteristics Of the Child wv
15-1O. CD Shall be great in the sight
of the Lord ". 1O. Though tho
| people did not greatly esteem him he
| was highly esteemed by the Lord This
is infinitely better than if he had been
greatly esteemed in the eyes of mon
n II 4, &c. &C.
for which we all should long and pray.
(2) Shall drink neither wine nor
strong drink (v. 15). The child shall
become Il NaZarite, separating him
self from the sensuous things and dcd-
icating himself to the service of the
Lord (3) BE filled with the Holy
Ghost ". 15). The energy of the d.
vine Spirit would enable him to lead
the people to repentance ". lG).
(D Shall 20 in the spirit and power
Of Elijah ". ~. In this power he
was to prepare the people for the
coming OF the Savior and the saliva
tion which He was to bring.
III. Zacharias Asking for Sign
wv. 1929.
Although the aged priest was ear
ncstly praying for the salvation of
lSrael the gracious promise Of the
angel, which was the beginning Of that
salvation, staggered his faith. He was
unable to believe that that for which
he fondly hoped and prayed would be
realized. The angel gave Zacharias a
sign. He was smitten with dumbncss,
which was to continue until the full
fillment OF the promise. Because he
refused to praise God in faith for this
gracious promise God caused his
tongue to be silent until the promise
was fulfilled and his lips could opcn
in THANKSGIVING and praise Though
he was thus rcbuked, at the same time
his faith was strengthened by the
manifestation Of the supernatural.
God wants us to trust Him, to believe
his promises, no matter how contrary
to reason they may seem.
". The Promise Fulfilled wv. 81.
63).
When The time came for the birth
of John, Elizabeth brought forth a son
and the nelghbors rcioiccd with her.
On the eighth day they circumciZed
the child and gave him name accord.
ing to the instruction Of the angel
" 13). The name John was contrary
to the family custom. BY means of
writing Hacharlas made known the
name which he would have by divine
instruction. At this time God opcncd
the mouth of Zacharias and lie offered
up praise.