Read Ebook: Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa Canada June 26-July 2 1912 by American Library Association General Meeting Editor

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PREFATORY

In the old Bible the most important themes are those which gather around the God-man, Jesus Christ. His coming to earth was the culmination of all prophecy, the focus of all history, and the center of all doctrine; and the church which he founded has been for nineteen centuries the inspiration of the world's progress. There are two subjects in the New Testament with which every follower of Christ should be thoroughly acquainted, and they are its two most prominent themes: the life of Christ on earth, and the growth of the early church. In the life of Christ he should know the order of the leading events; he should grasp its principles, and should enter into its spirit. Only as we apprehend Christ can we comprehend the truths taught and inspired by Christ.

But our work as New Testament students must not end with the story of Christ's ascension from earth. Jesus left behind him a little church, of only one hundred and twenty members, which in seventy years overswept all the lands of the greatest empire then on the earth, and which now covers nearly all the world. Of that church we are members, inheritors of its traditions, its doctrines, and--best of all--its spirit. It should be our delight to trace the steps of its early progress, to see how its plans grew with the advancing years, and how an obscure company of Jewish disciples became a church of world-wide reach.

To enable a student to obtain this knowledge this book has been prepared. The earlier studies on the life of Christ have been published as Studies in the Four Gospels, but have been carefully revised and, in the author's judgment, improved. The studies on the early church are the outgrowth of work begun many years ago, frequently revised, taught to classes many times, and carefully restudied in the light of the most recent researches in the domain of early church history.

There are a million and a half Sunday school teachers who should be acquainted with the story of Christ and his church: and there are several millions of young people in our Sunday schools who may be teachers before many years and need the same knowledge. This book has been prepared in the hope that these teachers and young people may find it a help to know Him who is the head of the church; and to understand the church, which is the pillar and ground of truth.

JESSE L. HURLBUT.

January 3, 1906.

HINTS TO STUDENTS

In this manner write out all the facts ascertained from all the references in the section.

HINTS TO TEACHERS

Classes may be organized on various plans and out of varied materials for the study of these lessons.

The other method, simpler and easier, is to let the student have a copy of the book, to expect the lesson to be prepared by the class, and to have it recited, either individually or in concert. Let each student gain all the information that he can upon the subjects of the lesson; let each bring his knowledge to the possession of all; let all talk freely, and all will be the gainers.

It would be a good plan to have papers read from time to time upon the subjects suggested by the course and parallel with it.

Some teachers and classes may regard the contents of this book as too extensive and may prefer a shorter course. The aim of the author has been to include in the course only those subjects that are essential to an understanding of the New Testament, and the entire series of lessons is recommended; but if a shorter course be deemed absolutely necessary, two plans are suggested:

THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS

For the convenience of teachers and classes, the eighteen studies of this course are divided into twenty-five lessons, as follows:

Lesson 1. The Land of Palestine. First Study. " 2. The People of Palestine. Second Study. " 3. The Life of Christ--General View. Third Study. " 4. The Thirty Years of Preparation. Fourth Study. " 5. The Year of Obscurity. Fifth Study. " 6. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part One. " 7. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part Two. " 8. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part One. " 9. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part Two. " 10. The Week of the Passion. Eighth Study. " 11. The Day of the Crucifixion. Ninth Study. " 12. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Tenth Study. " 13. The New Testament World. Eleventh Study. " 14. The Synagogue. Twelfth Study. " 15. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part One. " 16. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part Two. " 17. The Church in Transition. Fourteenth Study. " 18. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension. Fifteenth Study. " 19. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part One. " 20. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. Part Two. " 21. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part One. " 22. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Two. " 23. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part Three. " 24. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part One. " 25. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part Two.

FIRST STUDY

The Land of Palestine

In the historical study of the New Testament the two principal subjects are, the life of Jesus Christ on earth and, after the Ascension, the growth of the Christian church.

The life of Christ was passed entirely in Palestine; and we therefore begin our studies with a view of that land as it was in our Saviour's day.

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Blackboard Outline

Questions for Review

Why do we need to study the land of Palestine? What were the boundaries of Palestine? Where is it located? Name some small countries which have been prominent in history. What is the size of Palestine? How long is the coast-line? The Jordan line? What are the five natural divisions of the land? Name and bound each of the political divisions. In which of these provinces was Jesus born? In which did he pass most of his life? In which was he crucified? Name four places in Galilee, and an event connected with each? Two places in Samaria, and their events. Six places in Judea and their events. One place in Peraea and three in Philip's tetrarchy, with their events. State the six successive forms of government and their rulers in Palestine during the New Testament period.

SECOND STUDY

The People of Palestine

Thus, out of all the world, was gradually chosen and prepared a people among whom the Lord should come.

These were the traits that made the Jews the people of God and fitted them to accomplish the divine purpose.

Blackboard Outline

Questions for Review

To what people did Jesus Christ belong? From what great family of races did that people spring? What were the traits of this race? Who was the ancestor of the Jews, and what were his traits of character? How were the Jews gradually selected from among the descendants of Abraham? To which of the twelve tribes did most of the Jews belong? What was "the remnant" in Old Testament history? Name five traits of the Jews as a people. What was the mission of the Jewish people? What were the two great branches of the Jews in the time of Christ? What were their two sects? What were the differences between these sects? Who were the Gentiles? Into what three classes were they divided? What four languages were found among the Jews in the time of Christ?

THIRD STUDY

The Life of Christ

The central figure in all the Bible is Jesus Christ. Note his importance in the Old Testament . Note his prominence in all true gospel teaching . Note his relation to every man We have, then, an interest in Jesus Christ deeper than in any other man who ever lived.

Blackboard Outline

Questions for Review

FOURTH STUDY

The Thirty Years of Preparation

From the Birth of Jesus to His Temptation.

We have before us the longest of all the divisions in the history of Jesus, embracing thirty of his thirty-three years of life, and the one concerning which we know the least.

Let the student 1.) Draw a map showing these places. 2.) Memorize the list. 3.) With each place name its event in the life of Jesus. 4.) Find other events of Scripture history connected with these places.

Let the student, 1.) Memorize these nine events in their order. 2.) Read the account of each in the gospels. 3.) Recall where each took place. 4.) Notice what other persons besides Jesus are named in the period and each one's part in the events.

Under these influences Jesus grew up to manhood.

Blackboard Outline

Questions for Review

Where did the mother of Jesus live before her marriage? At what place was Jesus baptized? Where did the temptation take place? What three visits did Jesus make to Jerusalem before his ministry? To what country was Jesus taken as a refuge from Herod? Name six places connected with this period and a fact about each. Name four announcements made to different people of the coming of Jesus. For what purpose did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem just before the birth of Jesus? Who came to see Jesus at Bethlehem. Who gave him welcome in the temple during his infancy? How old was Jesus when he first visited the temple? What part of his life is known as "the silent years"? What trade did Jesus follow when he became a man? What took place at the baptism of Jesus? State nine events in the first thirty years of Jesus's life. State a fact in the life of Jesus with which each of the following persons was connected: Joseph, Simeon, Herod, John the Baptist, Gabriel, wise men, "the doctors of the law," shepherds. How do we know that Joseph and Mary were poor people? To what distinguished family did they belong? In what kind of a house did they probably dwell? What articles of furniture did the house contain? What education did Jesus receive? Who was the teacher of the school? What were the religious influences around the youth of Jesus? What feasts did he attend?

FIFTH STUDY

The Year of Obscurity

From the First Followers of Jesus to His Return to Galilee.

Let the student, 1.) Commit this series to memory. 2.) Study the facts in relation to each by searching out the references. 3.) Recall the facts in connection with each event. 4.) Make a list of eight men and two women who were connected with these events and recall what is related of each person.

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