THE BIBLE STUDY UNION (or BLAKESLEE) GRADED LESSONS FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND BIBLE CLASSES YOUNG PEOPLE'S COURSE THE HISTORY OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH PROGRESSIVE GRADE WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS EDITORS Rev. ERASTUS BLAKESLEE and Prof. PHILIP A. NORDELL, D.D. REVISED EDITION THE BIBLE STUDY PUBLISHING CO., 95 SOUTH STREET, BOSTON, MASS. INTRODUCTION. COLORED MAP OF EASTERN PART OF ROMAN EMPIRE OPENING SERVICE BIBLICAL CATECHISM ABSTRACT OF LESSONS IN THE COURSE DIRECTIONS FOR STUDY THE LESSONS. Date * PAGES Frontispiece Part IV (continued). From the Close of Paul's Third LESSON 40. PAUL A PRISONER IN ROME iv, v vi-ix X 151 LESSON 45. Part V. From the Death of Paul until the Death of John. CHRISTIANS SUFfering for RiGHTEOUSNESS' 170 LESSON 48. THE PASSING AWAY OF THE TEMPLE AND *The date on which each lesson is to be used in class may be entered here by the Superintendent or Teacher, before the Quarterlies are given out, if desired. Where this is done care should be taken to omit vacation or other Sundays when the school has no lesson. THE BIBLE STUDY UNION LESSONS, PROGRESSIVE GRADE: - PUBLISHED QUARTERLY by THE BIBLE STUDY PUBLISHING Co., 95 South Street, Boston, Mass.; price, postpaid: single copies 10 cents each, 40 cents a year; five or more copies to one address, 30 cents a year each, and at corresponding rates for a shorter period. Entered at the Post Office in Boston, Mass., as second-class mail matter. [October, 1900.] [H. A. C. Prog. Rev. Ed. IV. 40-52.] From NOTE. -At the scund of the bell let the school come to order, and join heartily in the following service. All business should be attended to either before the hour or after the lesson. the beginning of worship to the close of the lesson, let nothing interrupt. 1. SERVICE OF SONG. 2. PRAYER, closing with the Lord's Prayer, in unison. 3. GLORIA PATRI. (School standing.) 4. RESPONSIVE READING, selected passages. (School standing.) Superintendent. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? School. It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Supt. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; Sch. And it shineth unto all that are in the house. Supt. Even so let your light shine before men, Sch. That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Supt. Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men ; Sch. Being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God ; Supt. Not in tables of stone, Sch. Supt. But in tables that are hearts of flesh. Be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, Sch. In love, in faith, in purity. 7. THE SCRIPTURE READING FOR THE DAY. See Lessons. It is recommended that the Biblical Catechism be occasionally read responsively in place of the Scripture Selection for the day. 8. REPETITION OF THE GOLDEN TEXT, in unison. 9. STUDY OF THE LESSON. A BIBLICAL CATECHISM. A Brief Outline of the History and Teachings of the Apostolic Church in Questions and Answers, the Answers Being in the Words of Scripture. It is recommended that the answers connected with each lesson be committed to memory when the lesson is learned, and that they be called for by the superintendent at the close of the Sunday-school each Sunday. These questions and answers may occasionally be read responsively in place of the regular Scripture reading at the opening of the school, if desired. For questions 1-46 see previous quarters. 47. Superintendent, or Teacher. How does Luke close his account of Paul's imprisonment in Rome? School, or Class. “He abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him." Acts 28: 30, 31. 48. What did Paul write to the Colossians concerning the nature of Christ? 66 In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Col. 2:9. 49. What did he write to the Ephesians concerning Christ's work for both Jews and Gentiles? "He is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition. . . . For through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. 2: 14, 18. 50. What did he write to the Philippians about his own readiness for any fate? For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 66 51. What were Paul's last triumphant words? 66 Phil. 1: 21. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. 52. How did Peter exhort Christians to bear persecution? 66 · If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name." I Pet. 4: 16. 53. What did he command them concerning the Christian life? "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 3: 18a. 54. What was Christ's promise to the church in Laodicea? "He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne." Rev. 3:21. 55. What is said in Hebrews about Christ's unchangeableness? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever." Heb. 13:8. 56. What is said about running the Christian race? 66 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12: 1, 2. 57. What have Christians become through the love of God? "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God: and such we are." 1 Jo. 3: 1a. 58. How did John describe the purpose of his gospel? "These are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name." Jo. 20:31. 59. How does he sum up Christ's work for us? 66 If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." I Jo. 2: 1b, 2. 60. In view of all these truths, how may we praise God for his goodness to us? "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen." Eph. 3: 20, 21. THE END. |