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).