§ 17. OBJECTS TO BE SOUGHT. The immediate object of these lessons is to give a comprehensive outline view of the history of the Apostolic Church, but it should never be forgotten that these things are to be studied not for themselves alone, but for the sake of their influence in producing and developing Christian character. Therefore, the teacher should seize every opportunity to ask questions of practical application. The pressing home of the truth is indeed one of the chief offices of the Sunday-school teacher, but it can be done much more effectively if based on the home study of the scholar than if done in such a way as to ignore, and so to discourage, such study.

§ 18. BEING INTERESTED. Finally: Remember that the only sure way to interest a class in the study of the lesson is to be interested in it yourself. If the teacher will lead, the class will follow.

III. Special Directions for Scholars. (See §§ 1-11.)

§ 19. PRELIMINARY. In beginning the study of the lesson make first a general examination of it, reading the Scripture on which it is based and comparing the same with the Explanatory Notes in the Appendix, so as to get some idea of the subject as a whole, and then take it up item by item in course.

§ 20. THE LESSON QUESTIONS. Write answers to those questions having space left under them for that purpose; study the others carefully so as to be able to answer them orally. Make your written answers short, pointed, and accurate; let them be your own; copy from no one. It is often best to jot them down on loose paper and correct them first, and then to copy them into the Quarterly for use in class (see § 16). In class the teacher will compare the various answers brought in and refer to the Bible to settle differences of opinion concerning them. After hearing and comparing the written answers the teacher will ask such oral questions as may be necessary to a full understanding of the matter in hand.

§ 21. IN GENERAL. Read and study thoughtfully. Note down on paper all questions upon which you would like information, and bring them up in class. Study to learn. Always bring your Bible to class.

CLASS PLEDGE.

As a member of...

.class, I promise to study the lesson faithfully, and to do all that I can to make the lesson recitations and discussions interesting and helpful to the class.

Date.....

Name..

LESSONS

ON

THE HISTORY OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

IN FIVE PARTS

PROGRESSIVE GRADE

PART I.

FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST UNTIL THE DEATH OF STEPHEN: The Primitive Church in Jerusalem. A.D. 30-34 (see Note 4, p. vii, Introduction).

Note 1.-CHARACTERISTICS OF PART I. This may be called the period of preparation and beginnings. It witnessed the beginning of the new life of the church under the power of the Holy Spirit, the beginning of church organization, and the beginning of persecution. While it is quite probable that some of those who were converted on the day of Pentecost may have carried the gospel to places outside of Jerusalem, yet, so far as we have any record, the word was not preached during this period except in that city. As distinguished from the subsequent periods of church extension narrated in the Acts, this was therefore the time during which the church, although confining itself to the city of Jerusalem mainly, was unconsciously gathering strength for its future work. (See Remark 5, in Appendix.)

Lesson 1. INTRODUCTORY. The Disciples Tarrying in Jerusalem for the Promised Power of

(Before beginning the lesson, read carefully the Directions for Study in the Introduction to this Quarterly, pages xi-xiv.)

Note 2.

This lesson includes some general questions on the course as a whole, and on the book of the Acts. It then treats briefly the Introduction to the Acts, the ascension, and the events of the ten days between the ascension and the day of Pentecost.

GOLDEN TEXT: “Ye shall be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8.)

SCRIPTURE, to be read in school or class: Acts 1: I-14.

I

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS ON THE COURSE.

(For the answers to most of these questions see the Preface and the Abstract of Lessons for the Year, in the Introduction to this Quarterly, pp. iii, vii-x. See also Directions for Study, §§ 5, 12, 19.)

1. For what is this course of lessons designed (see Preface, in Introduction, p. iii)? 2. In what books of the Bible is the historical material for it found? 3. How is this material to be studied? 4. What is the design of the Part and Lesson Titles (Notes 1, 2, p. vii, in Introduction)? 5. Why should they be memorized? 6. How much certainty attaches to the chronology of the apostolic period (Note 4)? 7. About how many years does that period include? 8. Into how many Parts is this course divided? 9. What is the title of the first Part? 10. About how many years does this Part include? II. What is the title of this lesson? its topics? its Golden Text?

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS ON THE BOOK OF THE ACTS.

(For the answers to these questions, see Explanatory Notes and Remarks, in the Appendix.)

66

1. Why does the title The Acts of the Apostles" not accurately describe the contents of the book (see Remark 2, Appendix)? 2. What title would be more appropriate, and why? 3. Who was the author of the book (Rem. 3, App.)? 4. What is the object of the book (Rem. 4)? 5. In pursuing this object, what does the writer narrate? 6. What subject occupies the most space in the book? 7. Between what dates was the book probably written? 8. What in general is the subject of the first section of the book (Rem. 5, and Note 1, Part I, above)? of the second section? of the third section? of the fourth section?

THE LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Note 3.-The Lesson Outline is designed to present a general view of the facts on which the lesson is based. It should be studied carefully at home, and passed over rapidly in class. Teacher and class will then have before them a common fund of information on which to base practical questions and discussions (see Directions for Study, §§ 6, 7, 15, 20, in Introduction).

One.

The History of The Apostolic Church.

3

1. The Author's Preface. Acts 1: I-5.

(Written-answers, see Directions for Study, in Introduction, §§ 15, 20.)

1. To whom is the book of the Acts dedicated, and who was he? (Acts I: Ia, comp. Lu. 1: 3, and B. D.)

2. Concerning what had the author previously written? (vss. 16, 2, see Expl. Notes, in Appendix.)

3. How long did our Lord remain on the earth after his resurrection? (vs. 3.)

4. Where, and for what, did he tell the apostles to wait? (vss. 4, 5, comp. Lu. 24:49.)

5. What was the subject of the last conversation between our Lord and his disciples? (Acts 1:6, 7, see Expl. Notes, in App.)

6. Instead of gratifying their curiosity, what great promise did he give them? (vs. 8; memorize.)

7. Describe briefly the circumstances attending his ascension. (vss. 9-11.)

3. The Disciples Waiting for the Promised Power. Acts 1:12-14. 4. The Choice of a New Apostle. Acts 1: 15-26.

8. After the ascension, whither did the disciples return, and what did they do? (Acts 1: 12-14.)

9. Of what did Peter remind the brethren during those days of waiting? (vss. 15-17.)

10. How much was Judas paid for his treachery, and what was done with the money? (vss. 18, 19, comp. Mt. 26: 14-16; 27: 3-10.)

II. What qualifications were necessary in the one who should take his place as an apostle? (vss. 21, 22.)

12. Who were spoken of for this office, and how was the choice made between them? (vss. 23-26.)

LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. Note 4. - These questions are but a few among the many suggested by the lesson facts. They are designed to afford topics for discussion, especially to the older classes (see Directions for Study, §§ 8, 15, 17, 20, in Introduction).

13. What was our Saviour's parting injunction to his disciples (Acts 1: 8, comp. Mt. 28: 19, 20a)? Whence were they to receive power to do this work (Acts 1:4, 5, comp. Lu. 24: 49)? How do this command and promise apply to us?

14. Why was the ascension a natural and fitting termination of our Lord's earthly life and ministry? What may we infer from Acts 1: II as to his coming again?

15. How did the disciples turn their days of waiting into days of blessing (Acts 1:14)? În what respects may those days have been especially helpful to them? How may our days of hope deferred or of anxious waiting become spiritually helpful to us?

16. Mention some of the characteristics of the prayer meetings in the upper chamber during the ten days after the ascension (Acts 1:14). What elements enter into a successful prayer meeting? make a list and compare in class.

17. Of what were the apostles to be witnesses (Acts 1:22)? Why were they to testify to this preeminently?

18. How was the lot used in ancient times (Lev. 16:8; Num. 26:55, 56; 1 Sam. 10:20, 21)? May we use it now, expecting that through it the Lord will decide difficult questions for us? give reasons for your opinion. How are we to decide questions that perplex us?

TOPICS FOR SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AND THOUGHT.
(See Directions for Study, § 9, in Introduction.)

1. The reasons for believing that Luke was the author of the Acts. 2. Luke's sources of information. 3. The probable results to the church and to the world if Christ had remained on earth in bodily form. 4. The coming again of our Lord; when, and how? 5. The history of the eleven apostles subsequent to the mention of them in Acts 1:13. 6. The light thrown on the future life by the words, "his own place" (Acts 1:25, comp. Jo. 14:2).