v 'aw. * Ks& * -2 / fry Christ Among Men. JAMES McCONAUGHY. CHRIST AMONG MEN A STUDY OF THE UNFOLDING OF HIS CHARACTER AND MINISTRY IN PERSONAL INTERCOURSE. ARRANGED BY JAMES MCCONAUGHY, Instructor in the English Bible in Mount Hermon School. New YORK: The International Committee of Young Men’s Christian Associations. 1892. COPYRIGHTED 1892 BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS. No. 313. Far list of publications in the “ College Series,’ see last pages. Introduction. These courses of study have been pre¬ pared for use in Bible Training Classes. Such classes are now held in Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Associa¬ tions, in Young People’s Societies of Chris¬ tian Endeavor, and in city missions. They will prove helpful in all lines of Christian work where the central aim is to bring the unsaved to Christ. A full discussion of the methods to be followed with a course of study which naturally precedes and lays the founda¬ tion for these courses will be found in “ Personal Work, How Organized and Ac¬ complished,” by C. K. Ober and J. R. Mott (revised edition), which should be in the hands of all who follow the studies herein given. The [series of lessons is divided into three courses of ten lessons each. Any one of the three is sufficiently independent to be studied alone, where the full course 4 does not seem practicable. A break be¬ tween courses — at the holidays, for exam¬ ple — is often of advantage in rallying the forces and introducing new students into the classes. In college Associations, a course of ten lessons is well adapted to each college term. Helps on the life of Christ are so numer¬ ous that there is great danger of letting them do all the student’s thinking for him. Andrews’ “ Life of Christ ” (Scrib¬ ner’s), Broadus’ “Jesus of Nazareth ” (Arm¬ strong), Stalker’s “Life of Christ” (Revell), and Stalker’s “Imago Christi” (American Tract Society), are especially desirable if used judiciously. When you come to the study, immerse yourself in the Gospels ; use the best trans¬ lation, the Revised Version ; compare the parallel accounts, for which you will find of special value a consecutive arrangement like that of “The Interwoven Gospels” (John B. Alden, new edition, $1.00). Prayer¬ fully try to put yourself in Christ’s place, think His thoughts, speak His words, and you will find yourself living His life, and doing His work. CHRIST AMONG MEN. COURSE A. I. The Period of Preparation. Lesson i. With His family. [In a mechanic’s home.] Relationship with God above all human ties. Luke 2 : 40-52. Preparing for the broader sphere by the way in which He filled the narrow one. John 2 : 1-12. Mark 3 : 21, 22, 31-35. John 19 : 26, 27. Kinship in faith and in obedience the strongest of ties. John 7 : 1-10. 1. Cor. 15 : 7. James 1 : 1 ; 5 : 19, 20. Jude 1, 2, 24. Winning His unbelieving brethren. 6 II. The Period of Introduction. Lesson 2. i ' * i ' ' •, . : ' . ; ; L J * IF//// workingmen eager for a new era . [At an out-door meeting.] Personal acquaintance leads to discipleship. John 1 : 29-51. The kind of men Christ enlists. On t their level He wins their confidence, showing them themselves and Him¬ self. LkssON 3. With one who recognized His ‘ authority , but stumbled at His teaching. [In a house at the Capital.] A spiritual birth into a spiritual kingdom. John 3 : 1-15. Fundamental truth declared, reiter¬ ated, illustrated, applied. Lesson 4. With a woman of alien race , prejudiced mind, and bad rep¬ utation . [At a well-side.] 7 God seeks true worshippers. John 4 : 1-42. Easy converse on new and highest themes. Sin delicately laid bare. Discussion avoided. The Messiah revealed. Lesson 5. With the despised and outcast. [On the road and at a feast.] Personal contact between physi¬ cian and patient. Mark 1 : 40-45 ; 2 : 13-17. The spirit of sympathy. The word of command. The touch of restora¬ tion. 8 III. The Period of Widening Influ¬ ence. Lesson 6 . With men zealous of the forms of religion , but possessing none of its spirit. [In the fields and at church.] “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” ,l Mark 2 : 23 - 3 : 6. Fellowship with the hungry and the helpless. God’s purpose in forms and observances. Professing lips, yet hardening hearts. Lesson 7. With a disheartened witness seek¬ ing the removal of his doubts. [On a journey.] Fuller knowledge of Jesus brings peace to mind and heart. . Luke 7 18-35. Bringing doubts to the one who can banish them. Abundant evidence for the sincere enquirer. The unreason¬ ableness of men with perverted hearts. The blessedness of even the humblest in His kingdom. 9 Lesson 8. With represe?itatives of opposite social classes. [At a feast.] Christ reads hearts and forgives sins. Luke 7 : 36-50. Attracting one whom men disdained. A delicate but searching rebuke for the self-righteous caviler. Confession, forgiveness, love, peace. Lesson 9. With men who ascribe the effects of Christianity to unfit causes. [In a crowded house.] Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit the one eternal sin. Matt. 12 : 22-37. A time for plain speaking. False charges of bitter opponents. Words the exponents of the heart. Either for or against. Matt. 10: 24-33. His followers must confess Him boldly. IO Lesson io. With men who are seeking the loaves and fishes. [In a city church.] “The true bread out of heaven.” John 6 : 22-71. The question of the ages (vs. 28, 42, 52). What men need and how to get it. Welcomed and guarded unto eternal life. Appropriating Christ and living forever. Review. Characteristics of the first three periods. Supreme truths proclaimed at the outset to single individuals. Different effects of His teaching, and causes thereof. COURSE B. IV. The Period of Misunderstanding and Opposition. Lesson i. With one who follows Him, yet misconceives His mission. [At a place of prayer.] The way of the Cross the only path to glory. Matt. 16 : 13-20. Men’s views and God’s. Confession followed by usefulness. Mark 8 : 31-38. Life-plans viewed from Christ’s standpoint. Lesson 2. With a follower who shows an intolerant spirit. [At a conference of workers.] Fellowship in Christ’s service. Mark 9 : 38-50. Success in casting out devils a good evidence of discipleship. Fight en¬ emies, not allies. Preserve the savour of Christ. I 2 Lesson 3. With men of divided heart. [On the road to sacrifice.] Leave all to follow Christ. Luke 9 : 57-62. Count the cost. Put your heart in His work. Proclaim and inherit the kingdom. Lesson 4. With men too wise in their oivn conceit to learn anything. [At a place of teaching.] Doing Plis will illuminates His teaching. John 7 : 11-52. Prejudiced leaders ; perplexed peo¬ ple. Living water for a thirsty world. Lesson 5. With one who has learned but little , yet knows that little well. [On a city street.] Jesus opens blind eyes. John 9 : 1-41. Men speculate as to the cause. Christ removes both cause and ef¬ fect. Obedience required; courag¬ eous confession rewarded; knowledge increased. 1 3 Lesson 6. With one who tries to make use oj Him for selfish ends. [In a crowd.] Heaven the place for treasure- storing. Luke 12 ; 13-34. The folly of worldly calculations. The peril of covetousness. The com¬ fort of trusting God. & i4 V. The Period of Intenser Life. Lesson 7. With one who treats salvation as a subject of speculation. [On the road again.] Neglected opportunities will be¬ come bitter memories. Luke 13 : 23-30. A personal answer to a general question. Religious privileges in¬ crease condemnation. Enter while the door is open. Lesson 8. With dearest friends under the shadow of mysterious afflic¬ tion. [In the home He loved best on earth.] No real death for believers in Jesus. John 11 : 1-46. The smiling face behind the frown¬ ing Providence. The glory of God seen by believing ones. The voice that rules the spirit world. Lesson 9. With a young man of narrow and selfish views. [On a highway.] The danger of loving this world too well. *5 Mark io : 17-31. The eager approach. Having what the world covets, yet unsatisfied. The test of discipleship. Lesson io. With an older man made rich by unworthy means. [In a crowd of travellers.] Christ asks immediate admittance to heart and home. Luke 19 : 1-10. The Saviour seeks the lost; receives a public and joyful welcome. When Christ enters unworthy loves depart. The true son of Abraham. Review. To what extent will the life and work of every true Christian show the characteristics of Christ’s career dur¬ ing these two periods ? What is the central thought in Christ’s mind here ? What are the great lessons He teaches in the inner circle of His friends ? In the outer circle of listeners ? COURSE C. VI. The Days of Culmination. Lesson i . With men on the lookout for some new se?isatio?i. [At a religious festival.] Salvation for all men through a crucified and glorified Saviour. John 12 : 20-36. The desire of the foreigners. The judgment of this world. The rule for fruit-bearing. Lesson 2. With men convinced of the truth, but not willing to co?ifcss it. [Among friends and foes.] Judged by our treatment of God’s message. John 12 : 36-50. Caring more for men’s opinions than God’s. Life for those who obey the command. Condemnation for those who reject. l 7 Lesson 3. With men who traffic iti religion. [In the temple,] Who have a right in God’s church ? Matt. 21 : 12-17. See also John 2 : 13-25. Zeal for God excludes fear of men. Majesty and gentleness in union. Per¬ fected praise. Lesson 4. With men who try to entrap Him with hard questions. % [On the witness stand.] Christ is Lord of all. Matt. 22 : 15-46. The plot and its emissaries. Duties to God and man. The causes of error. The supreme question. Lesson 5. With true followers of Christ who show a false spirit [In the upper room,] The true Christian his brother’s servant. i8 Luke 22 : 24-30. John 13 : 1-17. Jarring notes on the saddest of nights. The gentleness of love’s re¬ buke. The remedy for earth-stains. The Master’s example. Lesson 6. With the self-confident Christian worker. [At the supper table.] Watchfulness and prayer for the tempted. John 13 : 36-38. Luke 22 : 31-34. Matt. 26 : 36-41. Luke 22 : 54-62. Satan’s hour of opportunity. Warn¬ ing and promise. The way to over¬ come. The way to fail. Lesson 7. With a public man who would do right if it did not cost so much. [In the court room.] Individual responsibility. x 9 John 18 : 28-38. Luke 23 : 4-22. John 19 : 4-13. Matt. 27 : 24-26. The witness to the truth. From in¬ difference to interest. Efforts to shift responsibility. Knowing the right, yet doing the wrong. The stain that water could not remove. 20 VII. After the Resurrection. Lesson 8. With disheartened and befogged followers. [Along a footpath.] The cure for sad hearts. Luke 24 : 14-35. Talking of Jesus brings Him near. He enlightens their ignorance. He removes their perplexity. He warms their hearts. He makes them wit¬ nesses of His resurrection. Lesson 9. With one who required convin¬ cing evidence. [In a private room.] Peace through believing. John 20 : 24-29. See also John 14: 5-7. Patience with honest doubt. Evi¬ dences ample and specific. The gentle rebuke; the promise of blessing. Lesson 10. With one who had been worsted by Satan. [On the lake shore.] Love the true motive for service. 2 I John 21 : 1-19. Loving attentions for the cold and hungry. The question that probes the heart. The lesson learned by ex¬ perience. Following in the Master's steps. Review. The reiteration in His teaching of truths already presented to the Jerusalem audience. Thoughtfulness for His followers in hours of His own greatest need. Perpetuating and multiplying His influence through others. Cottecre 5 er i e S. 301. College Association Record Blanks. Prepared by Clarence H. Lee. A full set of blanks for regular Committees, and for complete summary by Recording Secretary. Printed on heavy paper and perforated ready for Binder, with specially made Binder for pres¬ ervation and reference. Price complete, $1.50. The Binder will last for years, and purchasers will be sup¬ plied with blanks for later years at $1.00 per set. 302. College Association Buildings. Containing pictures of nine buildings and plans of three, also testimonies regarding the value of such buildings. John R. Mott. Price fifteen cents. 303. How to secure a College Association Building. Second edition. John R. Mott. Price five cents. 304. How can the College Association awaken and maintain interest in Bible Study? John R. Mott. Price five cents. 305. The Fall Campaign, or how to reach New Stu¬ dents. John R. Mott. Price five cents. 306. The claims of the General Secretaryship on Men ok education and ability. John R. Mott. Price five cents. 307. Personal Work, how organized and accomplished: Studies for Bible training classes. Carefully revised and enlarged. C. K. Ober and John R. Mott. Price ten cents. 308. The Study of the English Bible in College. Prof. George S. Burroughs, Ph. D. Price five cents. 309 Constitution of the College Association. (Re¬ vised 1891.) Price five cents. 24 310. Christ as a Personal Worker ; Topics and Meth¬ ods for Workers’ Bible Training Classes. Sug¬ gested by L. Wilbur Messer. Price five cents. 311. Studies in the Gospel of Luke. Robert E. Speer. Price, paper, ten cents ; cloth, twenty cents. 312. Studies in the Book of Acts. Robert E. Speer. Price, paper, twenty-five cents; cloth, forty cents. 313. Christ Among Men. Studies for Workers’ Bible Training Classes. James McConaughv. Price, five cents. In quantities 0/ one dozen or more, No. 302 is sold at $1.23 per dozen ; in quantities of fifty or more at $7.30 per hundred. No. 307, one dozen or more, $1.00 Per dozen; fifty or more, $8.00 per hundred. No. 311, one dozen or more, paper, $1.00 per dozen, cloth, $2.00 per dozen; fifty or more, paper, $8.00 per hundred, cloth, $13.00 per hundred. No. 312, one dozen 07 • more, paper, $2.30 per dozen, cloth, $4.00 per dozen ; fifty or more, paper, $20.00 per hundred, cloth, $33-00 per hundred. In same quantities, Nos. 303 to 3/0 (ex¬ cept 307), and 313, are sold at 30 cents per dozen, or $4.00 per hundred. International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, 40 East 23d Street, New York. Published by The International Committee of Young Men’s Christian Associations, 40 East Twenty-third Street, New York City. 1892.