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The first of all lessons must be the forming of a scriptural conception of God. As we
are led to the discovery of this initial need, the sublimity and fulness of the Scriptures
press themselves upon us. The first verse of the Bible comes down to the need and to the
understanding of the child mind, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth". That this subject is the right one to commence with is further confirmed by
Heb. 11: 6, "for he that cometh to God must believe that He IS".
Scripture does not burden the mind with any references to before the beginning, and
the child will not question the existence of God from any philosophical difficulties. The
evidences of creation are convincing. God created. Rom. 1: 19, 20 shows that "the
invisible things" of God are clearly shown by the works of creation. He who made all
things is God. The heavens declare His glory, the firmament sheweth His handiwork
(Psa. 19:). By following the line of teaching suggested by this Psalm it will be seen that
the "works" of God are spoken of before His "words".
In our next issue we hope to set out the barest outline, intended to give but a start,
which will need modification, amplification, simplification, grace, and sympathetic
understanding to be of much service.
#1. An attempt to meet a growing need.
(Conclusions)
qq. 189, 190
So far as our own child is concerned, we shall direct her to notice the heavens and the
earth, the grass of the field, the birds and beast of the field, always avoiding calling them
"works of nature", or speaking of the "laws of nature", and continually acknowledging
them to be works of God.
G O D.
God made heaven and earth.--Gen. 1: 1;
Isa. 37: 16; 40: 12; 66: 1;
Jer. 32: 17; 51: 15; Acts 17: 24; Rev. 10: 6; 14: 7.
God made Sun, Moon, and Stars.--Gen. 1: 14-16; Psa. 136: 8; Deut. 4: 19;
Jer. 31: 35.
God made Bird, Beast, Fruit, and Flower.--Gen. 1: 11, 12, 21-25; Matt. 6: 26-30.
God made man.--Gen. 1: 26, 27; Psa. 100: 3; Acts 17: 26.
God made All things.--Exod. 20: 11.
Portion for reading together, and for detailed questioning:--Gen. 1: 1 - 2: 3. Let the
creation of each of the six days be the subject of question and answer. If the child can
appreciate, let the parent read to it Job 37: - 41: in sections. If possible, use not only
the A.V., but the beautiful metrical version given in The Companion Bible. Psa. 19: is
the passage to be memorized.