Numidia Mennonite Bible School - Reflector Yearbook (Numidia, PA)

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DANIEL I found the book of Daniel to be a very practical and rewarding study. One thing that was especially noteworthy was the moral character and stability of Daniel and his companions. It challenged us, especially as we realize that we too are living in a world that is constantly exerting pressure upon the people of God to get them to lower standards and compromise on prin- ciples based on the Word of God. UI be- lieve that we too need to purpose in our hearts to not defile ourselves with the por- tion that the world is offering us today. Another subject of interest is the divine revelations Daniel received in regards to the present and future kingdoms of the world. We were once again brought to think upon the sovereignty of God and that he still rules and overrules in the affairs of men now as he did then. Another thought is that after all, someday the kingdoms of this world are going to pass away and give place to God's everlasting kingdom of righteousness, which points out the foolishness of becoming in- volved with the kingdoms of the world. A study of the book of Daniel should help us to realize that indeed the time is at hand fRev. 1:31 and ought to help us to put forth a greater effort to be found of him in peace, without spot, and blame- less that our names might be found written in the Lambs book of lifei' fRev. 21 :27bD. -DALE SLAYMAKER JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM The books, Jonah, Micah and Nahum, though a minute part of the Bible, are never- theless the inspired Word of God. They, too, are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ-teousness. While looking at the book of Jonah, we observe some desirable and some undesirable traits of Jonah. He, being called by God to go to Ninevah and cry against it, tried to fiee from the presence of the Lord. The ex- perience of the raging st-orm and being in the whale's b-elly three days and three nights, finally brought Jonah to grips with himself. Through his heartfelt cry to God for mercy, God heard and delivered him. His follow- ing faithfu-lness resulted in the repenting and sparing of Ninev-ah. 23 One's mind does not have to wonder very long to know why the meaning of Micah is, Who is like J ehovah'?,' As we view -the life of the people, we see sin upon sin being com- mitted, a horror to a Holy God. As We consider further, we see their hopes for the future stirred as they are p-romised the es- tablishment of a Righteous Kingdom, the coming of the Messiah, the refonmation and restoration of the nation, and finally the com- plete triumph of Divine Grace! Nahum, meaning Hcomfpassionatef, was written some time before the fall of Ninevah. We see that after their repentence by the preaching of Jonah they soon relapsed into gross idolatry. This study leaves us with the challenge to spring forward with zeal at the first cal-l of God to service for Him, and to be on con- stant guard against being drug down to the depths of sin. -JOANN WEAVER In Everything Give T hanksf' I Thessalonians 5:18 TABERNACLE STUDY Who would have thought there was so much involved in the Tabernacle? But why shouldn't there be? It was the meeting place of God with man. Our course began outside the outer court where we noticed the fence both as an in- cluder and an excluder. Inside the gate, which typifies Jesus as the Way, stands the brazen altar, the pattern of how we can get to God. After we have laid our sins on the altar, we must wash at the laver. If we do not cleanse our life upon seeing it in the light of God's Word, we will die. Now, being washed and forgiven, we are ready to enter the Tabernacle. We observed God's precise directions regarding the construction and color of each furnishing, and discovered its applications to the Christian life today. The typical truth revealed in our study is founded on the fact that the Tabernacle in the wilderness is a picture of our Lord, His finished work on the cross, and the results of that finished work. -GRACE KER Ho' Isa. the was we Tes Ihei ing not wit' by uni do first Hel I rem and end Sha all wrt p. Ch: ble' We ard

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CURRICULAR REPCRTS SECTHGN l -- B BLE STUDY J UDGES Our study in the book of Judges was very practical for us today seeing that we live in a much similar setting as the Israelites did. In the time of the Judges, everyone did what was right in his own eyes causing much confusion. We studied the life of the fif- teen judges who judged Israel and also the enemies each judge fought against. We saw the importance of having spiritual leadership. Israel repeatedly sinned and for- got the Lord their God. They worshiped the gods of the heathen round about them, whom God had commanded to be destroyed. God poured out judgment on Israel for dis- obeying His command and turning to heathen gods. It was a real challenge to see how we today -live in a heathen country with evil around us on every side. The test for us is, are we serving God with all our heart, or are we looking at the heathen and evil doings around us and finding pleasure therein? Taking Jephthah as an example, let us rise to the challenge before us and live a holy life in spite of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. -ELVIN HoRsT I 8z II KINGS I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. It is for this reason we study books like I Sz II Kings. In these books we see God's blessing on those who love and obey Him and His judg- ment on those who disobey Him. In Chapters 1 and 2 of I Kings, we see the end of David's reign and the establish- ment of Solomon on the throne. In Chapter 3:1-15 we see Solomon's wise choice of ask- mg for wisdom and the results of it on through Chapter 10. After this we see some foolish choices which finally result in the divided kingdom. . From then on we see the downward course Of a nation that forgets God in the Northern Kingdom. J eroboam, the first king of Israel, started the. downward course by establishing calf worship instead of the worship of God. It finally reached its climax in the reign of Ahab .who did worse than all the kings be- fore hrm by establishing Baal Worship. The end of a nation that forgets God is judgment as shown in II King 17. The Southern Kingdom's fall was a little slower. They had a few good kings scattered in among the bad ones. But they also slid into apostasy in spite of repeated warnings by faithful prophets such as Isaiah and oth- ers. When they refused to follow God, there was nothing left for Him to do but bring them to destruction. Let us be challenged to profit by the mis- takes of others and live a life of faithfulness to God and His Word. -KENNETH Goon J EREMIAH The name Jeremiah signifies, the Lord throws. This is a very fitting name for a prophet who vividly foretold the oncoming judgment and the overthrowing of Judah and Jerusalem. Jeremiah is often referred to as the weep- ing prophet because of his love and concern for his people. The main thrust in his pro- phecies was judgment because of vile and corrupt worship practices. We notice that on numerous occasions Jeremiah is pleading with the people to forsake their evil ways and serve the living God. But they harkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forwardf' Jeremiah 7:24. One of the challenges this study puts be- fore us is where do we find our fellowship? Is it among those who are taking the same downward course as Judah, or do we seek it with those who ask for the old paths wherein is the good way, and walk therein? May the Lord help us to be numbered with those who are willing to follow the old paths which lead to life everlasting. -Mosiss MILLER 22

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Vondel' Ve f Micah levy 'the life bemg CO111- ' AS we CS fOr the ed the es- -Sdom, the TIELIIO11 and Y the Com- f Nmevah, Ce by the Elpsed into lallenge to rst call of fe on con- W11 to the I WEAVER .ans 5:18 'Y : was so e? But : meeting ter court is an in- :he gate, stands f we can our sins aver. If ing it in :. Now, 'e ready ad G0d'S struction :covered today. study iS nacle in ard, HiS . results KER TYPES AND SHADOWS Upon entering this class, it was first im- portant to study the meaning of type, ami- type and shadow. We defined type -as a person, object, event or experience from the Old Testament which relates to the New Testament. Shadow was defined as being an outline of an object and pointing toward that Object, The antitype is -the New Testament person or object to which the -Old Testament type relates. At times we are limited in our compre- hension of types. They do not contain all the -truths found in the New Testament ob- jeots. For this reason we do not build New Testament doctrine on types but rather use the Old Testament types to enlarge our un- derstanding of Bible doctrine. Looking at the ex-ample of Isaac, we see a type of Christ. Isaac was beloved in the sight of his father and was to be offered as a sacrifice. However, this is where the type ends for Is-aac did not shed his blood. The ram in the thicket becomes the type of Christ, for it was the ram's blood which was shed. Through the study of Types and Shadows, we are helped to relate -incidents in the Old Testament to Bible dootrine, and then apply these truths to our lives. 4'For the law hav- ing a sh-adow of good things to come, an-d not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers there- unto perfect. Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. Hebrews lO:l, 9. -CAROLYN SHULTZ SERMON ON THE MOUNT Do you long to be truly happy and live a rewarding life? Jesus our perfect example and teacher gives plain instructions to' this end. He does this with simple illustrations, sharp reasonings and commands that remove all questions as to what is really right or wrong. The first part of his message deals with Christian character. He convinces us of its blessedness and influence so effectively that we readily accept these teachings as stand- ards for our lives. I Spots. What are the motives behind your SVUIES, Prayers and fasts, he fearlessly asks? Where' are your treasures and main concerns? 0 13 YOUI master? Would Jesus have reason to rebuke us today? n the second chapter he touches our sore Last of all he gives us choices to make by pointing out alternatives. Each of us must decide which gate we will enter, discern true and false prophets, and produce either good or bad fruits. He effectively brings His Sermon to a close with a short story to point out the result of our choices. Build on the rock and your happiness will be lasting. -BECKY EBERSOLE JOHN 4'But these are written, that ye might be- lieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31. In this class, many rich truths of Jesus and His ministry were unfolded to us. The first twelve chapters speak of Jesus' public ministry, the works which He did and how He dealt with those who did not receive Him. Chapters thirteen through twenty are directed to those who did receive Him and the teachings He gave them. The purpose of the eight miracles recorded in the book of John were to bring about that faith which produces abundant life in Him and to show Him as the glorious Son of God. He is the Bread of Life and the Light of the world. Through Him Truth is revealed, and our path is illuminated. He is also the Good Shepherd who shows tender care and a self- sacrificing love for His children. As we studied the Gospel of John, we marvelled at God's mighty power and won- drous love. Through Christ's many miracles and teachings, His followers' faith became stronger and His enemies' hearts became harder. It is indeed a challenge to see the many profound truths of Christ's work and teaching which can be applied to ourselves in everyday, practical living. We can ap- preciate more deeply the great work which was wrought by our Lord. -RONALD REINFORD 24