Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1935-12-13
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Uniform corr~~r
-:-LESSON =
BY REV. p. b. FITZWATER. d. d.
Member Of Faculty. Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.
@ Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for December Is
EZRA TEACHING THE LAW OF
GOD

AESSON TE@AI-E1E& ts4VS Nonw~
miah S:1-12.
GOLDEN TExT-Thy word have ]
hid In my heart, that might not
ain against thee. Psalm 119:11.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Giving Thanks
for Gods Book.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Givins Thanks
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
This lesson Is a fine illustration
of the rightful place Of Gods Word
In the life OF q nation. The only
cure for national ills Is a return to
God and obedience to his Word.
!. The Teachers Spiritual condl-
ton ezra 7:10.)
he prepared his heart to seek the
law Of the Lord, to do 1t, and to
teach Israel the statutes and Judg-
ments.
u. The Word Of God Read (Neh.
1919.
/. The eager assembly ". u. The
people gathered together and re-
Quested Ezra to bring the book Of
the law. God had touched their
hearts, creating within them q
yearning for his Word.
2. A representative assembly ".
p. Gods Word should be taught to
all classes-men, women, and chill
dren. The Spirit of God can speak
through his Word to the whole fam
lily sitting in the same pew.
3. An appreciative assembly ".
81. So eager were they to know
Gods Word that they did not get
tired, although the lesson lasted
for FIVE or six hours. When people
realize that God is speaking through
his Word they will give attention.
81. The Peoples Attitude Toward
Gods Word wv. 4-6).
l. Due reverence shown wv. A,
81. When Ezra opened the law all
the people stood up out Of respect
for Gods Word.
2. They Joined heartily in prayer
". 81. As Ezra led them In prayer
they united in saying, "Amen,
Amen" bowling their faces to the
ground.
w. Gods Word Being Interpreted
wv. z, 81.
The attitude Of the people toward
Gods Word largely depends upon
the minister. Proper dignity and
sOlemnity should be manifested by
the minister when reading the Holy
Scriptures.
l. He stood up where the people
could see him ". 81.
2. He read distinctly ". 81. The
manner in which many read the
Scriptures is greatly to their dis
credit, as well as that Of the reader.
3. He caused the people to under
stand ". 81. The supreme business
Of the minister and teacher is to
make the Word Of God so plain
that old and young can understand.
The explanation should be clear,
simple, and definite.
v. The Effect Of Applying Code
Word to the Life Of the People
wv. 9-1S).
!. Conviction Of sin ". 81. The
divine method Of convicting men of
their sin is to have Gods Word ap-
piled by the Holy Spirit. The Word
Of God is quick and powerful (Heb.
412).
2. Weeping turned into Joy wv.
1912. When sins have been per-
ceIved and confessed there Is for
giveness. Continued mourning will
not atone for past sins. Further
more, it dishonors a pardoning God
and even units the one for present
tasks. Joy has a salutary effect
upon ones entire being. "The Joy
Of the Lord Is your strength"
3. Blessings were shared with 9TH
ers wv. 1912. True Joy manifests
itself in giving to others. Pure re-
ligion goes out to minister to the
poor Games 1:2U. Goodness is
not content with having a good time
alone.
4. The people obeyed. From the