Diagram of the Ark and the Tower of Babel
Put the hull part of the ark in place first, then add to the top, and later put on the door and window; this will give a fair representation of the Ark of Noah. The Tower of Babel can be built this way also.
It is possible to draw line pictures on the smooth side of the flannel with the oil crayon which is now found inall the stationery shops at small cost. After the figure has been drawn out cut it into a number of pieces and put them together on the background to add a little variety to this method of teaching. Bring all the rags out of a bag which you call the "Ragged Prophet's Bag." Turn the bag upside down, allowing all the rags you use to fall out on the table top. Have the rags you use all pinned together so they will not mix with the other rags of the bag.
This is how we use rags to teach big ideas. Let's try it.
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OBJECTS: Seven Cards Fully Described in the Chapter
This is a pictorial attempt to make the plan of salvation as plain as day.
The Romanists have what they call "The Stations of the Cross." These are fourteen in number. By these stations the way of the cross and its blessings are made plain to the worshiper. They offer a prayer at each station and pass on. There is no virtue in this devotion unless they pray from the first station to the last.
The sinner in seeking Christ has his stations of salvation also. He must not miss one.
The following stations of salvation can be reproduced on large cardboard and hung up upon the wall in front of the class, and the way of Salvation can be pointed out as each station is read and explained. After this explanation, the prayer of each station should be offered together.
If possible have these stations printed on small cards and given to each hearer to take home, and so make good use of them in daily devotions.
A Roman Catholic girl seeking the true light happened to be present when I was preaching on the stations of salvation and was convicted of her sins and converted to God. She had been trained since childhood to see truth in this way and by these stations she found the pathway of the Cross and the glorious Saviour.
I had lantern slides made of each of these stations and used one of them at a time as a sermon on salvation, and afterward used the seven stations as the conclusion of the sermon when I wanted to make a personal appeal and urge a heart decision for Christ.
These seven stations of salvation can be used for older heads also.
You will note the cross at the top of each station. This is the great theme of all the stations.
You will also observe the heart beneath the cross containing the words "I believe." This signifies that salvation is an affair of the heart, and not an empty form. In discussing each station ask the people to recite the scripture together. After you have explained these scriptures and commented on the subject of the station, ask your people to repeat with you the prayer of the station, and then pass on to the next station.
The following are the stations in their order:
Station No. 1. Condemnation
Diagram of Station No. 1. Condemnation. For all have sinned and come short as the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezek. 18:4). PRAYER O Lord, cause me to know that I am a lost sinner and under condemnation in this life and will be lost forever in the life that is to come. O Lord, hear my solemn prayer. Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me. And this I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
Condemnation is the first step. This is an inward sense of sin. We must all feel this, or we shall not be inclined to take the next step.
Station No. 2. Conviction
Diagram of Station No. 2. Conviction. Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee (Luke 15:18). God, be merciful unto me a sinner (Luke 18: 13). PRAYER My Father in Heaven, my sinful heart now condemns me and I know I am guilty of the sin of not believing on thy Son, my Saviour. O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner, and hear my solemn prayer. Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Conviction must follow condemnation, or it will avail nothing. To know I am condemned is of itself of little value. It must lead to conviction.
Station No. 3. Repentance
Diagram of Station No. 3. Repentance. Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2). Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (Matt. 3:8). PRAYER Hear thou my prayer, O Lord, for I have a godly sorrow for my sin and do now turn away from my transgressions and turn to thee. Hear my solemn prayer, Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me. In his name. Amen.
After conviction repentance must follow—repentance deep enough so that we feel our sins have hurt the heart of God.
Station No. 4. Redemption
Diagram of Station No. 4. Redemption. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace (Eph. 1:7) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). PRAYER Blessed Lord, who didst hang on the tree of the cross for me, and thus redeem my precious soul, I do now accept thee as my Saviour and Redeemer. Hear, O Lord, my solemn prayer. Amen.
Repentance when it is of the heart is sure to lead to redemption, because no truly repentant heart ever sought the Lord in vain.
Station No. 5. Confession
Diagram of Station No. 5. Confession. Return unto thy house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee (Luke 8:39). I will declare what he hath done for my soul (Ps. 66:16). PRAYER Blessed Lord, having been redeemed by thy precious blood, I now declare to the world what thou hast done for my soul, I will proclaim it by my baptism and union with thy blessed church. Make and keep me ever thine. Amen.
A sure sign we have been redeemed is that we will "tell somebody"; not because we must, but because we cannot help it. We must tell the world of it.
Station No. 6. Submission
Diagram of Station No. 6. Submission. Submit yourselves therefore to God (James 4:7). For one is your Master, even Christ (Matt. 23:8). PRAYER O Lord, I pass over my life into thy hands. I submit to thy rule—thou art my good Master. Work out thy will by thy Spirit in me. Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me. Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, give me peace. For Jesus' sake I ask my prayer. Amen.
If we have received Jesus and openly confessed him we will submit our souls to him. He is our master.
Station No. 7. Glorification
Diagram of Station No. 7. Glorification. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11). And there shall be no night there (Rev. 22:5). PRAYER I pray thee, O Lord, bring me at last to thy right hand in heaven, and to thy pleasures everlasting, and so will I be glorified, and sin no more. Hear thou my solemn prayer. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
At the end of the way we will find the golden gates to glory wide open for us, and the angels waiting there all ready to sing the chorus of "Welcome Home."
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This Program Is Simply a Little Hint as to "WhatNext" in the Exercises. This and Any Other ProgramShould Be Completed in Not More ThanOne Hour.
SUGGESTIVE PROGRAM
1. Call to Order. Three slow bells.2. Guard enters with the Bible and places it on the desk. (All standing.)3. Flag-bearers enter with Conquest and United States flags.4. Salute Conquest Flag. Sing Doxology. (Hand on the heart.)5. Salute the United States Flag. Sing "America." (Hand over the eyes.)6. Prayer, concluding with Lord's Prayer.7. Recite in concert the Twenty-third Psalm.8. Evening Song.9. Prayer by Leader.10. Song of Praise.11. Elevation of the Scriptures.
Lift up the Bible, and say, "This is God'sHoly Word, the guide of our fathers and the ruleof my life."
12. All recite in response,
"God's Holy Word, I promise to search. God's Holy Word, I will try to keep."
13. Address—An Object-talk or Picture-lesson.
14. Notices, etc.
15. Hymn.
16. United Prayer.
All repeat the prayer after the leader.
17. The Taps in Song.
"Day is gone,Night has come,Day has gone,Night has come,God is near,God is near,All is well,All is well."
18. All in concert say, Good Night, Pastor.
19. Pastor says, Good Night, Junior Church.
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A MEMORY EXERCISE
MY FIRST PRAYER
When I was a little fellow my mother taught me this simple little prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.If I should die before I wake,I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.
Daniel Webster remembered this prayer when dying and repeated it with his white lips as his last words. It is with all of us a prayer that we cannot easily forget. It sinks into our childhood mind which is plastic so that ideas stick. It holds its place on the throne of memory even when that throne totters with the weight of years.
Now I want to give you a companion to that prayer as you begin your day, as you older grow:
Now I wake myself to work,I pray thee, Lord, I may not shirk.If I should die before the night,I pray thee, Lord, my work be right.
This is not only a prayer for the nursery, but for the work-shop and the day's task as well.