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Memory Verse for October 26–November 1


Key Thought for Lesson 5, "Turning Point"
As long as we are holding onto our old, sinful self, we cannot truly serve God. Like Peter, we must have a turning point, where we realize our need and go to God in absolute surrender.

Memory Text:
“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

Project: Memory
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free” (Ephesians 6:8).

Those Juniors, Part 22: Winding Them Up Right


by Eric B. Hare

Last week: There are steps to dealing with classroom difficulties. These steps are clearly demonstrated in Christ’s dealings with the seven churches in Revelation. No one is all bad.

We Interview Johnny
“Oh, good morning, Mrs. Parent. I’ve just called to have a little chat with Johnny.”

“Certainly, won’t you come in? I’ll go and call him.”

“And we can talk alone in the living room?”

“Of course, I understand. I’m so glad you called.”

“Well, Johnny, and how are you this fine day?”

“Oh, all right.”

“I suppose you have a little idea of what I've come to talk about, eh, Johnny?”

Johnny grins a sick, shy grin.

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

Moonlight streamed from a star-studded sky, reflecting on the lake in a rippling golden band. Above the shining water, silhouetted mountains loomed large against the sky. In the quiet splendor, my friends and I eased a canoe into the lake. Only the dipping of our paddles broke the stillness, and soon we put these away and just floated on the glassy surface. I had never experienced a more silent, peaceful moment. The calm seemed to ooze right into my heart.

Then, from the shore, a loon began to sing. As its high, clear call rang through the air, it echoed off the mountains on the far side of the lake. Another loon replied, and the two sang a sublime duet.

I had heard loons before, but I’d never fully appreciated the richness of their tone, the awesomeness of their song. The silence of the night somehow made the music more melodic.

We’ve all heard the Holy Spirit speaking—through preachers, conscience, nature, and the Word. Too often, however, we don’t take time to shut out every other noise and hear Him speak to us intimately. Content with the ordinary, we miss out on His extraordinary guidance. We don’t allow His words to fill our minds, and His plans to override ours.

Receiving the Spirit’s filling takes surrender and prayer. It means shelving our own habits, thoughts, and feelings, and turning our backs on the world. Then, in our silence and emptiness, His sweet voice rings out—and we find that His presence and guidance are worth everything!

Following Him,

The Throne Room

An allegory by Walter O. Edwards

A lonely pilgrim with wounded hands and feet and a bleeding side stood before a bolted door. The stranger had come a long way, from the distant court of his father, who was a great king.

The prince knew that behind the door was a throne room which his father had prepared for him. However, the keeper of the throne room had foolishly opened the door to the prince’s deadly enemy. This brute had pushed aside the keeper, cast down and destroyed all the beautiful furnishings, and seated himself on the throne. Meanwhile, the poor keeper hardly even resisted. Instead, he seemed amazed by the brilliance and power of his new master.

Memory Verse for October 19–25


Key Thought for Lesson 4, "Whose Way?"
When we are absolutely surrendered to God, we will approach Him with a humble, tender, teachable heart and ask Him to reveal His will and give strength to obey. Then, in faith, we will do what He asks of us.

Memory Text:
“My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5).

Project: Memory
“Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:6, 7).

Prayer of Surrender


Dear Father,

Here I am again, halting between two opinions.1 Please, let me wrestle through this one more time.2 I know we talked about this just last night; but, please, I need to reason this through with You again.3 Is Your way really the best?

Those Juniors, Part 21: Steps to Success

by Eric B. Hare

Last week: A big part of being a teacher or a parent is discipline. Children need consistent, persistent discipline; not unfair, not given in anger; but discipline that will actually punish and make an impression on them.

Classroom Disturbances
Johnny came to Sabbath school all out of sorts and with a pocketful of chocolates. He passed them around, and while Bill was standing up, he pulled Bill’s chair away, with riotous results. I am the teacher. What shall I do?

“What shall I do? What shall I do?” echo thousands of voices of thousands of teachers confronted with thousands of problems. Well, let us do something and see how it works. First, let us bawl him out right then and there. “John, enough of this now. I won’t put up with another thing. Give me those chocolates. Fancy a boy twelve years old having no more sense than to bring chocolates to Sabbath school. Now put Bill’s chair back and sit up there. One more disturbance from you and out you go. I won’t have a good-for-nothing, disrespectful, chocolate-eating little baby boy in my class.”

It hasn’t taken much thought to let loose this mouthful of impulsive irritation. The words came out easily enough, but they have not done any good. John has lost face with his buddies. I haven’t drawn him any nearer to me; nor have I gone up any in his estimation. He might do it again just to dare me. He might go out, and he might not come back again. Well then, what should I do?

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

My dog, Kodiak, bounded with energy—much more than most dogs of his size. With his big shepherd frame, he would leap for joy when I came home from work, thumping my shoulders with his fuzzy front paws. He loved running—especially chasing—and he never let me forget when it was time for our walk.

But when Kodiak met Gonzo, my parents’ younger, smaller dog, he wanted nothing to do with the pup’s unlimited, irrational energy. Gonzo chewed, tugged, wrestled, and ambushed—while Kodiak preferred more mature play. Gonzo couldn’t be deterred with Kodiak’s growls; so after about a half hour of his pestering, Kodiak jumped into the backseat of my car and stayed there for the rest of the evening.

The next day we took off backpacking, leaving the car far behind. Trail-seasoned Kodiak led the way while Gonzo lagged behind, fighting his backpack. By the second day, however, Gonzo learned the program and began chasing after Kodiak on the wide, spreading mountainsides. After a day of adventures, they explored camp together. Kodiak even stooped to play Gonzo’s games.

If Kodiak had kept spurning Gonzo, he would have missed hours of doggy fun. You and I lose out, too, when we spurn God, refusing to yield ourselves to Him and let Him work His will in our lives. His ways are far better than anything we could devise—and yet we often hold back, afraid to give Him full control.

Nothing could be a more tragic mistake! Instead, let’s give in to His will and experience His path of joy.

Hiking heavenward,

Memory Text for October 12–18


Key Thought for Lesson 3, "The Power of Surrender"
If we are not willing to surrender everything to God, we are not totally surrendered to Him. When we allow it, God will work in us to make us willing and able to surrender to Him.

Memory Text:
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Project: Memory
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ” (Ephesians 6:5).

Those Juniors, Part 20: Concrete Correction


by Eric B. Hare

Last week: If you want to have the greatest amount of power through influencing (or tempting) your children/students to do good and be good, you must pursue the practical.

As a sample of the many voices being raised in warning throughout America, we might take an article by Webb Waldron, which appeared in the December, 1944, issue of Your Life. In this article he records an interview with Kenneth E. Appel, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical School. We quote a few sentences.

“One million children in United States public schools today will sometime go to mental hospitals if we follow the patterns of the past. Most of them could be saved by parents through proper education for life.”

Logan's Guest


by Mary Alberta Benson

Mother stood at the bottom of the stairs and called upward. “Logan, wake up! It’s almost time for breakfast.” She hurried into the kitchen and began setting the table.

“I want to help!” Three-year-old Emily tugged at Mother’s skirt.

Mother smiled down at her little girl. “Thank you, sweetie pie! Will you run and ask Daddy to make sure Logan is out of bed?”

A few minutes later, Father and Emily knocked at Logan’s door. “Wise an’ shine!” Emily chirped.

Father opened the door. “Up and at it, son, or we’ll be late for church.”

Logan groaned and shoved back his covers. “All right, all right. Just a minute.”

When Logan dropped into his place at the table several minutes later, the family bowed their heads. “Our Father, we thank You for this Sabbath,” Father prayed. “We ask You to dwell in our hearts and home today, and also to bless this food. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Logan didn’t say a word all through breakfast. He dawdled on his last few bites as Mother cleared the dishes. “You’d better hurry and get dressed, Logan. I hope you made your bed already.”

Logan made a face, then pushed his chair back and thudded up to his room.

Mother sighed. “Lord, please keep working with Logan,” she whispered. “He could be a good boy if he wanted to be.”

Kitchen helper
Logan was quiet all the way back from church. When the family reached home, Logan hurried up to his room without a word. But soon he appeared, smiling, in the kitchen. “How can I help, Mother?”

Mother paused from tossing the salad. “Well, you could set the table,” she smiled.

Logan had just finished laying out the silverware when Mother brought out the bread and salad. “Very nice job, Logan!” Mother’s eyes circled the table and then rested on her son. “Even the napkins are folded just right!”

Logan beamed.

After dinner, Logan sprang from his seat. “I’ll clear the table, everyone. You go get ready for a Sabbath walk.”

Father and Mother raised their eyebrows at each other before they slipped away, leaving the cleanup to Logan. When Mother walked by the kitchen a few minutes later, Logan was talking softly as he stacked the dishes in the sink. She poked her head around the corner. “Is Emily in here?”

“No, she isn’t.” Logan blushed. “I was talking to—er—somebody else.”

“Oh?”

“It’s OK, Mother.” Logan grinned.

Puzzled parents
The next morning, Logan got up as soon as Mother called. After some quiet time, he hurried to the kitchen to help with breakfast. He and Mother chatted as they set out the meal. At breakfast, Logan helped Emily fix her plate, and he passed things to Mother and Father even before they asked.

After helping to clear the table, Logan went to his room—but his low murmur drifted down to the kitchen where Mother was washing dishes.

Mother dried her hands and found Father at his desk. “What do you think has gotten into Logan?”

“What do you mean?” Father looked up at Mother.

“He’s suddenly helpful, and neat, and timely!”

“Well, good for him!” Father smiled.

“Yes, but—do you think everything is OK? I’ve heard him talking to himself twice now.”

“Well, he seems to be eating like a boy, as usual,” Father chuckled. “And he’s been pleasant to be around, right?”

Mother smiled and nodded.

“I say, enjoy it.” Father slipped his arm around Mother’s waist. “Maybe our prayers are being answered.”

Spotless room
After Logan left for school the next morning, Mother went into his room to collect his laundry. When she opened the door, she drew in her breath in amazement. The bedspread was smooth and even, and the desk was tidy and organized. Mother opened the closet. She shook her head to see a neat row of shirts and pants, with Logan’s shoes lined up across the back. She opened the dresser drawers. Everything was folded and in order.

I wonder if Logan will be just as different at school. She closed the bedroom door.

Test on the playground
As Logan approached the school building, he stopped for a moment and bowed his head. “Now,” he said, “I have to be careful. You stay close, Sir.”

That morning, Logan paid full attention during class. When the teacher called for the class to be quiet, Logan was the first to settle down. When recess time came, he joined the line and quietly filed out. As he stepped out the door, he let out a sigh. “Whew! That was hard work, Sir.”

“Hey, let’s play dare base!” Ryan started drawing the baselines in their class’s section of the playground.

“Great idea,” Logan agreed. “I’ll draw the lines for the other side!”

Just then, one of the girls stepped forward. “Can’t you guys play something else?” she complained. “You’re taking up the whole area.”

Logan leaned over to begin making the lines. Then, suddenly, he straightened. “Hey, guys,” he suggested, “let’s play in the other direction, so that the girls can have half the space.”

“No way! We want the whole thing!” one of the boys shouted.

“Yeah, who do you think you are, anyway?” Ryan punched his fist into his palm and strutted over to Logan.

“I’ll show you—” Logan stopped and grinned. “Aw, you know who I am. Anyway, the other direction would work just as well. See, the bases would be right there and over there.” He pointed. “Let’s be fair!”

The boys grumbled a little, but soon they were enjoying a good game of dare base on their half of the playground, while the girls played on the other side.

When the whistle blew to end recess, Logan wiped his forehead. “What a narrow escape,” he whispered. “Thanks for reminding me, Sir.”

Homework helper
That evening after supper, Logan slipped up to his room and pulled out his schoolbooks and notepad. “It’s nice of You to ask me to do this, so Mother and Father don’t have to nag.” He smiled and began his math lesson.

In less than half an hour, Logan had finished his assignment. Right then, Mother called to him. “Logan, you need to do your homework.”

“It’s all done, Mother,” Logan called back. “Thanks to You, Sir,” he added quietly.

Special guest
Just after Logan went to bed that night, Mother peeked into his room. Logan was still awake. “Won’t you tell me what all of this is about?” she asked.

“Can’t you guess?” Logan grinned in the dark.

“No dear, I haven’t been able to guess, but I do like it.” Mother knelt by Logan’s bed.

“Well, Mother, you know how we sometimes pray for Jesus to live in our hearts and home? We studied about that in Sabbath School. I started wondering how I would act if He came here and stayed with us for a while. So I tried it.”

“That’s wonderful!” Mother exclaimed. “But why have you been talking to yourself so much?”

Logan hesitated. “I suppose it sounds silly, but I thought if I could see Jesus going with me everywhere I go, I would probably talk to Him—so that’s what I’ve been doing. I thought He’d like to have a clean room to stay in, so I cleaned my room up for Him. And since He is my special guest, I’ve been trying to do the things that He likes, to make Him happy.”

Mother kissed Logan’s forehead. “What a lovely experiment! Have you enjoyed it?”

“I sure have! I’ve been much happier than when I did whatever I felt like doing.” Logan stared at the moon shining in his window. “I found out something,” he told Mother. “Jesus gives my life meaning. Tonight I told Him that He doesn’t have to be a guest anymore—He can make His home right with me all the time.”

“I’m sure He’ll be delighted to stay.” Mother smoothed Logan’s blankets. “And you can tell Him that Father and I are glad to have Him here, too.” Mother stood up. “Good night, dear.”

“Good night, Mother,” Logan called as she closed the door. He smiled and spoke more softly. “Good night, Jesus. I’m glad You've come to stay.”

Memory Text for October 5–11


Key Thought for Lesson 2, "Moment by Moment"
When we yield God our absolute surrender, we will trust Him to work out every situation for our best good.

Memory Text:
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Project: Memory
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Those Juniors, Part 19: Pursuing the Practical, #3


by Eric B. Hare

Last week: If you want to have the greatest amount of power through influencing (or tempting) you children/students to do good and be good, you must pursue the practical.

Discover or Suggest Their Vocations and Refer to Them Frequently
At a workers’ meeting in Lodi, California, I heard Elder George H. Loewen give an apt illustration of the power of deliberate interest on the part of parents in the vocations of their children.

A Sabbath school teacher, chatting with the little boys in her class, said: “What are you going to be when you grow up, Johnnie?”

“A doctor,” Johnnie replied proudly. “Father says so.”

“And what are you going to be Tommy?”

“A teacher,” replied Tommy cheerfully. “Father says so.”

“And, Henry, what are you going to be?” the teacher continued.

Henry looked somewhat downcast as he replied, “Nothin’. Father says so!”

Look out, parents and teachers! It does make a difference how we talk to our boys and girls about what they might be doing—tomorrow.

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

It isn’t the kind of question I would ask. It seems rather nosy, and even a little absurd. Yet someone who apparently didn’t worry about such things actually asked it. He was talking to a mother who had 13 children. He must have assumed that a parent of so many children would naturally have favorites, because he asked, “Which of your children do you love the most?”

She gave a beautiful answer: “The one who is sick, until he gets well; and the one who is away, until he returns!”

That’s a mother’s love for you. We mothers love every one of our kids as much as it is possible to love! But when they’re hurting, or if they’re away from home, we somehow love them even a little bit more!

A mother’s love gives us just a little glimmer of how much God cares about us. In fact, He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. And should we ever stray from Him, afflicted with the terrible sickness of sin, He loves us even harder!

When we find ourselves far from God, the enemy tells us that we’ve gone too far or done too much for God to ever accept us again. But God, who never lies, says something quite different: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

Don’t linger in the shadows. Step into the arms of the One who loves you more than any other!

Your friend,