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

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SECTION IV - PRACTICAL STUDIES METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY In this class we studied how to study We must learn how to effectively get the deep truths out of Gods Word Studying is the pathway to great depths of know ledge The Bible contains Splfltual nourish ment for any hungry person who is will ing to dig it out Many new truths and chal when we avail ourselves of the God given armor described in Ephesians 6 14 17 Jesus is a good example of victorious l1v ing When He was tempted in the wilder ness Jesus used the Word of God for a weapon against Satan May we follow this example in each temptation we face My testimony is that Christian victory is . . . . , O . . . Q . - ' 1 O - 0 I . . U I ' a O ' . O 0 Q 0 I I , - lenges can be found, giving us a desire for further study. We learned that the only way to get the correct interpretation is to know the Au- thor, and depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us. Comparing scripture with scrip- ture will help us to understand it better. Studying the verses in their context will prevent us from picking out one here and there and putting them together to prove our own ideas. A concordance and a dictionary are two very valuable resources of help for effec- tive studying. Commentaries are also help- ful, yet their interpretations must line up with the inspired Word of God. We learned that there are different types of approaches we can take to study. We can make book, chapter, verse, paragraph, character, or topical studies. In our study we need to master the truths that we find there and also make application for our lives today. In this way we can live a more perfect life for the Lord. -Mark K. Siegrist ' -1 1-llulin VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING Victorious Christian living is something that is attainable. The way to live victor- iously is to let God work through you in every way of life. The spirit of truth will guide us in the way of truth. fJohn 16:13J Victory is possible in every temptation possible only through Jesus' work on the cross for each one of us. Victory is attained by giving up self, and taking up our cross which we must bear till death to win the crown. May each of us take the cross He has for us to bear. - Jerry Neuenschwander Natural abz'lz'tz'es are like natural plants,- they need pruning by study. . YOUTH PROBLEMS I Youth is a time in life when there are many difficult decisions to make. Only with God's help can we make the right de- cisions. The purpose of this class was to lead us in finding Godis will for our lives. How do I know where to work, where to live, and who God might have to be my life com- panion? How do I know if it is God's will for me to get married? One thing that was stressed in this class was that it is most important for me to be the best person I can be, then only will I be worthy of the best companion for life. If we are in God's will, we can go to Him in prayer and know He will reveal His plan to use as He sees fit. We wish at times that God would tell us just exactly what would be the best thing to do or say, but if this was the case, we would not learn to wait pa- tiently on the Lord. We must be in God's will before we can hope to get His blessings. -Julia S. Risser 29

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DOCTRINE OF ANGELS The angels were created by God. They are subject to Christ, yet superior to men. Although they are spiritual beings, they possess the power to appear to men in a bodily form. The angels are personal beings. Those named in scripture have masculine names. It was interesting to notice that while the angels of God are holy, they are very much interested in the salvation of sinful men. They are active in the protection of Godls people and the innocent. Job's hedge seems to have been a hedge of angelic pro- tection. The angels are active in heaven praising the holiness of God. They will be the-reapers in the end of the world. Satan's demons are fallen angels. Their goal is to oppose God and to deceive the Christians. Because of their evil super- human power, may we avoid anything that is questionable. God will give His angelic protection as we are faithful. The One in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowl- edge, will in eternity grant to us a perfect understanding of these celestial beings. -Roland R. Gehman SECTION III CHURCH HISTORY ond MISSIONS MENNONITE CHURCH HISTORY For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4. This was the key verse for our stu- dies in Mennonite Church History. We looked briefly at the various stages of the growth, spread, and decline of the church, beginning at the Day of Pentecost and con- tinuing on to the present day church. We also looked at the Bible principles which our forefathers believed and stood for, and the persecution they suffered as a result. This served in most cases to increase and purify the church. This study challenges us to stand true to the faith which through much suffering has been passed on to us. - Willis Mast CHURCH EXTENSION Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes, Isaiah 54:2b, was our text as we 28 met for twelve inspirational class periods. We do not believe in separating the church from the mission, but rather we say, the church in mission. With this concept, the churches at home are also made to feel more responsible. In order to be effective in church exten- sion, we must have a burden for souls, which will be gained when we realize that everyone needs the same gospel as we, and that those who do not accept the truth will be eternally lost. The church is responsible to send out qualified workers. We should never seek to go out on our own, but rather wait for the church to sense the need and choose out workers to fill the need. The church that is active in outreach work according to scriptural direction re- mains sound the longest. Those not in- volved will grow spiritually indifferent. . As Christians we are all missionaries, and taking this class would be one way to better fit us for the great task before us. - Cindy Martin

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PERSONAL EVANGELISM As we view the many people around us groping in darkness and despair, one is moved with compassion for their souls. We are all to be involved in winning souls to the Kingdom of Heaven. Evangelism means the winning of person- al commitments to Christ. Personal Evange- lism means one or more persons carrying the gospel to other persons. Some of the advantages of personal evan- gelism over mass evangelism cited in this class were: ill It is the most direct method. In preaching, the message can be shifted to the other person, Q23 It shows a personal interest. The individual may respond more readily when approached by one person, 135 It can be done by all Christians, not just the ministry, and C45 It can be done most anywhere and at all times. In order for our witness to be effective, we must possess these qualities: Q11 A new birth experience, 123 A knowledge ofthe Scriptures, Q35 A life of prayer, C45 A con- sistent Christian testimony, and C55 Ability to understand the need of the person. Finally, how can we lead a soul to Christ? First of all, we seek the blessing of God as we approach the individual. Secondly, we help him realize his lost condition. Thirdly, point him to Jesus who is able to forgive his sins and cleanse his heart. And lastly, we should encourage him to yield his whole life to God. Go ye therefore and teach all nations. -Marvin Weaver CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP To be good stewards, we must first of all realize that God is the owner and crea- tor of everything. God has entrusted each of us with the care of His creation. We are each given some talents, and an alloted amount of time to use those talents for our Master. 30 God has given us our possessions that we might use them to His honor and glory. In the parable of the talents, we see that God's blessing was only on those who used that which was placed into their trust. The more we are given, the more responsible we be- come. ' The tithe was required in the Old Testa- ment, but today we are asked to give as the Lord has prospered us. As we give our- selves ttime, talent, and moneyl for the kingdom, we will be laying up treasures where corruption nor decay can mar or spoil. -Joseph Charles PRAYER LIFE 6'What is prayer? Do you know what it is to pray? Yes, but it seems God doesn't hear or answer my prayerslw How often we hear this answer! But God does answer our prayers if we follow the guidelines that He has given. We must: 1. feel our helplessness. John 15:5 2. have faith. Mark 11:24 3. express submission. Mat- thew 6:10 4. have a forgiving attitude. Mark 11:25, 26 5. live an acceptable life. I John 3:22 Prayer must be more than an attitude or activity, it must be a way of life. Unless our prayers express a total dependence upon God for all things, we have not experienced what real prayer is. God has designed prayer to supply man's great and continuous need with His match- less grace and love. Real prayer fills manls emptiness with C1od's fulness, his poverty with God's riches, and his weakness with God's strength. May we accept the challenge to have a meaningful prayer life in praying for the needs about us! - Vernon Kurtz