[This is designed especially for use in Junior Christian Endeavor societies, and other children’s organizations that use a pledge; but it may be changed slightly and used to teach promise-keeping in general.] “Frank,” said a certain junior’s mother, “I want you to go down to the grocery and get me a dozen eggs.” “Yes, mother … Continue reading “FRANK’S PLEDGE—A LESSON ON PROMISE-KEEPING”
A WATER MAP
[This is a suggestion for a talk on the waters of the Bible, a little lesson being drawn from each, and the whole being reviewed at the end.] The speaker should make an outline map of Palestine,—a large map, on white paper, if possible, that colors may show well. Use blue pencil for the waters, … Continue reading “A WATER MAP”
PRUNING—AN OBJECT TALK ON TROUBLES
[The speaker may illustrate his talk by a rose, full of flowers, nicely growing in a pot, shown beside a scraggly wild rose pulled up in the woods.] Here is a beautiful plant, children. See how many flowers it bears, and how lovely they are. It looks as if it ought to be a very … Continue reading “PRUNING—AN OBJECT TALK ON TROUBLES”
MAKING ONE’S SELF MIND—A LESSON ON THE WILL
[This may easily be converted into a dialogue between the older speaker and some child.] The other day I heard John say this: “I can’t make myself do right, even when I want to. It’s no matter, even if I don’t mind my conscience.” Then I set to work to talk to John something after … Continue reading “MAKING ONE’S SELF MIND—A LESSON ON THE WILL”
IF—A TALK ABOUT GOD’S PROMISES
[The speaker, instead of adopting the method here suggested, may draw out the children’s answers to each question, “What would you do?”] If, while you were out playing some day, boys and girls, a splendid carriage should drive up, all made of gold and glittering with diamonds; and if it should stop, and a noble-looking … Continue reading “IF—A TALK ABOUT GOD’S PROMISES”
THE SEVEN FRIENDS—A SERMON-STORY ON FRIENDSHIP
Once on a time there were seven friends, and the king thought he would try them, and see whether they were as true friends as they seemed to be; so he sent them on a long journey together. First they came across a swamp, through which they had to pass. Six of the friends helped … Continue reading “THE SEVEN FRIENDS—A SERMON-STORY ON FRIENDSHIP”
OUR JOURNEY—A TALK ABOUT GETTING READY FOR HEAVEN
[A map showing America, the Atlantic, and Europe would make this talk more vivid. If the talk is used in England, change “Europe” to “India,” and omit the reference to French and German.] Suppose you were going to go to Europe. Would you forget all about it, never thinking of it or speaking about it? … Continue reading “OUR JOURNEY—A TALK ABOUT GETTING READY FOR HEAVEN”
SOME STRONG THINGS—AN OBJECT TALK
Let the speaker show the children a bar of iron. This is strong. Show how it cannot be twisted, and use it as a symbol of the sturdy strength that should be shown in resisting temptation. Bring some seeds, and show how the small seed becomes a great tree simply by reaching out toward the … Continue reading “SOME STRONG THINGS—AN OBJECT TALK”
THE MOUTH THAT TALKED OF ITS OWN ACCORD—A STORY TO TEACH HELPFULNESS
I want to tell you about a very funny thing that happened to a little girl, who lived in a country called Nowhere. This little girl, whose name was Bess, loved her mother dearly, as she thought, and was very fond of telling her so. But, unfortunately, she did not love her mother enough to … Continue reading “THE MOUTH THAT TALKED OF ITS OWN ACCORD—A STORY TO
TEACH HELPFULNESS”
DEBTS—A BLACKBOARD TALK ABOUT GOD’S GIFTS AND OUR DUTIES
Print on the board a large copy of a promissory note: “For value received, I promise to pay _____ years after date, to _____________, ________________ dollars, at ________ interest per annum.” Explain to the children what this means, and fill up the blanks for an imaginary loan. Then talk about what God has given us … Continue reading “DEBTS—A BLACKBOARD TALK ABOUT GOD’S GIFTS AND OUR
DUTIES”