RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 19712, 12 November 1927, Page 13

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

“Tho noblest contribution which any man can make lor tho benefit of fposterity is that of a good character.

INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR BIBLE CLASS. Tho third and last period of adolescence is tho longest, and in many, respects tho most important, extending from about the ISth to tne -4th 01 25th year. In tho educational programme of the church it corresponds to the intermediate and senior Bible class. Workers among-this group must realise that they are still dealing with immature people, who require sympathetic understanding and help if they are to reach their tallest, and best manhood and womanhood. They are not adult-., and should not bo treated as such. It is therefore necessary that their outstanding characteristics be fully understood. , During this period young people reach physical maturity—a fact of vital importance, for with this maturing or the body all the instincts of adulthood come info play. - If the' development has been normal the rapid maturity oI the reason and will make it possible ml: them to bring these impulses under control. With a well-developed body, expressing in all its activities an abundant physical vigor, the young man or woman, guided and controlled uy a keen intellect and vigorous will, will come into the full heritage of matuntv, and bo ready to make his or her contribution in a life of larger service to tho world about him. . The intellectual activity, which rvas one of tile chief characteristics of middle adolescence, continues in this and becomes more intense, and as a result there comes a spirit of independence and a gradual diminishing of tho direct influence of leaders and companions through suggestion. Young people are now setting up their own standards of life and conduct, and while they arc still open to advice and counsel they accept and act upon only those suggestions which appeal to their own higher intellectual powers. Individuality is a strongly-marked characteristic. No longer will the words of the leader be accepted without question; there must bo a strong appeal to the reason, or an authoritative presentation made w'hich is to be accepted without question. The wise leader will give a great deal of thought and attention to cacii mcmber’s individual differences, interests, and difficulties. _ Questions must bo answered in the light of life’s larger experience; doubts must bo overcome, and the free and .independent expression of tho member respected and guided. No longer is it a question of whether "one feels like doing a thing.” The question now is: “Should it be done?’’ or “Is it necessary?” That settled, it must bo done; personal feeling or romantic glamor is not counted; it is the firm conviction that what must be dene can be done.

Tho young person is also altruistic, and under normal environment and with tho right kind of instruction will steadily advance from selfishness to unselfishness. They are glad to identify themselves with the larger social_ lilc of which they form a part, and willingly expend themselves in service for others. The romantic emotions of the earlier period become the permannt and lasting sentiments of maturity, expressing themselves in home-building. Dean Athcran says: “The instinct to found a homo and to live for one’s family is sacred, and the care and interest of the church should bo_ around about youth at the mating time, safeguarding them from danger and cultivating the highest ideals of marriage, home, and parenthood.” This period is also one of disillusionment. By this thne by far the larger number of young people are at voik. in the business- and commercial world; 1 a few are at home, and a small minority at college or university, and are finding the stern realities of life very much different froin the dreams and ideals of their earlier years. There must be a readjustment of their ideas and ideals in regard to life. Because the ago of independent thinking has come, the young person passes througii a stage of tlonbt and perplexity, requiring the loader to allow the member to freely present and discuss his many difficulties and doubts, and helping him to lay a sure foundation for “ the faith that is in him.” The religion of young people is exceedingly intense. “ Their quick sympathy,_ their self-sacrificing devotion, their intense loyalty, their desire for participation in any and every attractive cause accounts for tho faet"that so large a number of volunteers for the, mission field enlist from this group. It seems that there is no task too large, no sacrifices too costly to enlist their interest, their co-oneia-tion, thoTr support.” What tho adolescent needs at this time, says Professor Coc, “is rerun—room to uirn round mentally, to sec things from all viewpoints; room for the many _ new thoughts which come crowding hi at this time; for that intellectual and emotional expression winch should characterise this latter part of the adolescent period. Such a period of doubt, intellectual activity, and physical reconstruction is ol great value, for tho youth’s mental aspirations arc tho very sap of the tree of knowledge.” During these years tho three greatest life decisions in life are made. _ The choice of a life work or a vocation is a step of unusual importance, while as a rule the choice of a life partner comes at this time. It is only natural that the cliO'Ce of ideals should come with it. The last important wave of conversion comes at about the “Oth rear, so every efioit on the part of tho leader should be. concentrated on the securing of a consecration of lilc to Clod bciorc the close of the adolescent period. .Realising that we arc dealing with young men and women who are almost mature, care must bp taken to give them a largo place and part in the programme of the church. They need training that will tit them for work in tho home, the local church, and tho community, with Ircqucnt. challenges to enlist "in the great kingdom-build-ing enterprises of the homo and foreign fields. Tho following are the pacific aims for this group approved by the International Council of Religious Education :—■ 1. To win to Christ each young person who has not already dedicated ins or her life to Him. 2. To belli these young people maintain their tested Christian ideals in relation to the practical work of life in and through tho disillusionments that are bound to result as they face the realities and conditions of the economic and industrial world, not yet wholly Christian. d. To prepare themfor and to help them assume the duties and responsibilities of home-making and citizenship. A. To prepare them for and "help them assume their places in the work of life, so that in and through their daily work they may do the will of God, and help to promote His Kingdom in the world. 5. To prepare them for and to enlist them in the work of the church for the community and the world. 6. To give them a, knowledge of Christian principles in choosing a life work or vocation. 7. To bring them to a realisation of opportunities for life' work that are open in tho field of full-time Christian callings. WORLD-WIDE WORK. One of the greatest needs in connection with church school work on the foreign mission fields is to have lessons which arc prepared from the

standpoint of the pupils of that particular country or race group. Until this can be accomplished recourse is had to translations of lessons used in another country. The China Sunday School Union reverses the usual translation method. There the lessons are first written in Chinese, and meet the needs by being prepared front a knowledge t'f tho mind of the children and youth in China. .Then, to be available for those who must have the lessons in English, the studies are translated from - the Chinese into English. Particular attention is paid to the applications of the truths that are involved, and problem questions are presented which relate tho lives of the individual .students t,o_ tho principles then under consideration.

In Korea the practice is to concentrate on one particular thing, and press hard for specific results m any year. For four years a. series of aims engaged the attention of all Christians in Korea, with the result that in 192' nearly 5,000 new tea chars were secured, most of them being young men and women. The following year Sunday school teachers’ consecration conferences were the special objective of the Korean S.S. Association, for it was felt that tho best _ thing that could happen for the spiritual life of the whole church would be for this splendid host of young people to truly consecrate themselves to their work, understanding the real aim of it and deducting themselves to accomplish it.