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The
Lightstand Magazine
1981
• October • At the meeting The Sunday School
and Youth Group
by Bro. Alistair Henderson
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Strictly
speaking, we move out of the range of meetings we have been
considering in our earlier articles. Brother Harry calls this
section in his book 'Old Heads on Young Shoulders', which
has the implication that we have in the young people in our
ecclesias the foundation on which to build for the future.
There is perhaps the danger in our correct stress on adult
understanding and acceptance of belief that we can look over
the heads of the rising generation. We need to be particularly
alert in a world where the prevailing attitude is against
tradition and continuity; where what is not of the moment
is out of date and by definition of little value; where 'progress'
is measured by the degree of mechanical ingenuity; where last
year's model must be replaced by this year's (and often quite
literally has to be because of built-in obsolescence); where
training is directed at questioning and rejecting the accepted
view. It would be foolish to ignore these pressures on our
young people, and even more foolish to condemn them all equally.
Particularly when in this country a large proportion of the
population is 'young' - by the end of the century 43% of blacks
will be under 15 years old, almost 40% of coloured, 29% of
whites, etc. -we need to prepare now.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE: We must not respond by retreating into
a sort of ivory tower, nor by abandoning our stand in an attempt
to conform. Rather, we need to develop our methods and institutions
so that the beauty and attractiveness of the Truth shows up
the shallowness of what the world has to offer.
After
all, we offer no less than the Word of Life to an age frenetic
in its fear of death and meaninglessness.
THE RIGHT START: The Sunday School should receive as much
attention and support as any of our preaching activities -
it is the main source of our growth. The work of the Sunday
School is as 'honourable' as that of the public lecture or
exhortation, and the preparation for it and the provision
of material aids and training should be equal to what we spend
on advertising, pamphlets, etc. for our other preaching. Please
note 'other preaching'; and if we measure it in terms of effectiveness,
by far the more important of our preaching activity. Sadly,
we often have to cast about desperately for teachers, while
we remain abjectly mesmerised by the apparent importance of
the public speaker. There ought to be a queue for the privilege
of teaching our children about the Truth. Teachers ought to
be helped to learn the most effective methods of instruction;
there ought to be continual review of practices, continual
discussion of what is being done. There ought to be plenty
of helpers who will assist with preparing materials for use
in class, or assisting the teacher with the sort of activities
little ones need. And what about team-teaching of the older
children, so that all are involved and active in the learning
process. The point is that educational methods in the schools
are developing, and we cannot afford to stagnate in antiquated
approaches that might have been appropriate in the previous
century. But above all, no matter what method we are capable
of, the love and enthusiasm of the teacher for the pupils,
for the Truth, for God, are what finally count. And the support
and active interest of the ecclesia generally and the arranging
brethren particularly are vital. Of course, for the children
of the Household, the Sunday School should ideally be a supplement
to an active parental training. Can we rely on this? Sunday
School should not be thought of as enough, or a replacing
this responsibility within the family. But there are also
children from without who are attracted into the system -
these must continue to feel the attraction. The enthused and
interested Sunday School scholar is the right material for
the next stage. Let us not neglect the native curiosity and
vitality of children which are on the side of learning if
properly directed.
THE
AWKWARD AGE: There follows that time when the young person
is reaching out, trying to find his or her own identity. This
is the time when the 'generation gap', so-called; is supposed
to manifest inevitably and will if we have not established
both as parents and ecclesias a relationship of trust, mutual
respect, and shared interests with our young people. Once
again the characteristics can be on our side, because while
one half of the new personality may be awkward, moody, irresponsible,
pleasure-seeking, anxious to conform; the other side is idealistic,
capable of enthusiasm, seeking affection, avid for notice
and approval and deeply enquiring.
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If we lose contact with so interesting a being, so full of potential
we have only ourselves to blame. We have to accept both sides of
the proposition, and make provisiton for both. This means that guidance
has to be more subtle, strategies have to allow for fluctuations
in activity. But the opportunities in both family and ecclesia must
be consistent and appropriately varied to keep drawing. This is
easier in a large ecclesia, or where several ecclesias are within
reasonable distance, but not impossible even in the small if we
want enough to make it work. For us, with our young men faced so
early with the crisis of conscience, it is all the more vital. If
we do not meet it, we will surely dwindle into nothing. Once again,
let us stress the point, the young people's activities should be
undertaken 'scientifically', making use of the available expertise,
under the active interest of the elders. Members should be anxious
to help, to learn how to be effective in the work, and not be content
to leave it to chance enthusiasm. And again love and real enthusiasm
- and example in home and meeting - are the key elements for success.
YOUNG BRETHREN & SISTERS: This stage is perhaps the most neglected
- perhaps most understandably. We tend to feel that once they have
become members of the ecclesia, the normal activities of the ecclesia
should be sufficient for young people. And so they should. But the
process of training should be continuing, albeit on a less obvious
level. First of all, is the example of serious study of the Scriptures
to be found in each household?
Do
the older brethren, the established speakers seek contact and discussion
as equals with the young to share enthusiasm for the Word, suggest
profitable lines of approach to its study? Do they hear them out,
even when the ideas seem a little awkward, and by sound, loving,
understanding application of the Word lead them to a proper understanding
of the matter? We would do well to follow the advice of the Apostle
Paul in this, "If you put the brethren in mind of these things."
(1 Tim. 4. 6.) where the words in greek mean a method of counselling,
pointing out, suggesting - 'hupotithesthai' is "a gentle, humble
and a modest word", it is the "guidance given in gentleness"
which leads rather than drives. But beyond this, there must be opportunities
for young brethren to develop their skill in public speaking. If
necessary, we must create the forum for them to use, so that when
they come to the formal speaking duties in the ecclesia, they are
on the way of development. They are, after all, the future
front line of the Brotherhood, and battle-readiness does not
come overnight or merely when wished for. Similarly, they need training
in administration, and in approaching those ecclesial 'problems'
from a spiritual and scriptural viewpoint.
Similarly, young sisters befriended, encouraged and 'instructed'
by example, will be the future 'other half of stable ecclesial life.
The habits of sound bible-study, of being able to discuss the Scriptures,
of sound grasp of the Truth are as important for them as for the
young brethren. The sisters may not appear on the platform, but
they are the pivots of instruction in the home, in the Sunday School,
in private preaching, in contacts with their friends and neighbours.
And in discussion with husbands, fathers, brothers they can be an
active partner and stimulate a better knowledge of the Word in those
whose duty it is to stand up in public.
All this means that work with the young needs to be taken as seriously,
given as much attention and funds, as any preaching or other activity
in the ecclesia; both formally in the counsels of the arranging
brethren, and generally by all the older members of the ecclesia
by conscious effort of contact and example. No one is too old, too
important, too occupied to be excused from the work. Above all,
let it be from the heart and with all the might.Brother Harry's
chapter will reward the reading of it.
is his closing paragraph:
"If
we seek to weld the experience of the past
with the energy of the present
under the blessing of God
then we may respond to the exhortation of old:
'Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children:
Let them praise the name of the Lord."
A.H.
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