The Boy and the Sunday School Part 4

When all the plans and methods of work are reduced to a minimum, there is but one. This finds expression in the gang or club life. Boys get together in a group, elect their own officers and select a man who is to be their adviser. Then they go out and do the thing they have organized for in what is to them the simplest and best-known way. It may be stamp collecting, or star studying, woodcraft, or camping, or the hundred and one other forms of boy activity which are so common today. Seventy-five per cent. of these clubs are formed solely for the purpose of physical expression in athletics. Hundreds of such clubs exist today to meet the various needs of the growing boy. The Knights of King Arthur, the Boy Scouts, the Woodcraft Indians, the Sons of Daniel Boone, the Knights of the Holy Grail, the Knights of St. Paul, and dozens of others have been conceived and born for the purpose of meeting the needs of boys, as the founders of the organizations saw them.

In harmony with all the other boys' organizations, and yet bigger than all of them put together, is the Sunday school organization for boys--the Organized Bible Cla.s.s. It is purely and simply a church organization, and owes no allegiance to any organization outside of the local church. It is also a distinct part of the church life and an organic part of the Sunday school, which is large enough to hold the boy's interest from the cradle roll to the grave. The other organizations serve their day in the life of the boy and cease to be. It is difficult, almost an impossibility, to get normal boys, after fifteen years of age, to take much interest in the so-called boys'

organizations, because their lives have outgrown these activities and there is no longer any need of them. The Organized Bible Cla.s.s presents a method that can never be outgrown. _It also has at its heart Bible study, which is the one essential to permanence in any work with boys_.

=Cla.s.s Organization=

_Objective_.--Cla.s.s organization is of no value unless the cla.s.s has definite objectives. The members should be made to feel that there is some great purpose in the organization. The objectives for a teen age cla.s.s should be:

1. The winning of the cla.s.s members to personal allegiance to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord; and

2. The proper expression of the Christian life in service for others in the name and spirit of the Christ. Thus one strengthens one's self and helps others.

_Why Organize_.--(a) It is natural for a boy to want to get into an organization of some kind. Seventy-five per cent. of the boys of a community are, or have been, connected with some sort of organization.

These organizations, rightly controlled, and dominated by strong Christian leadership, can be made a power for good in the community and in the lives of their members. It matters not what the organization may be connected with, it is the activities that appeal.

Why should not the Sunday school take advantage of this natural, G.o.d-given instinct, to plan such organization in the church as will present the strongest claim for the loyalty of the boys in the teen age?

(b) The organization is in the hands of the members of the cla.s.s, activities are planned by them, and discipline, when necessary, is administered by them. The position of the teacher is thereby strengthened. Instead of being an "autocrat" or "czar" in dealing with the cla.s.s, the function is that of counsellor and friend.

(c) It develops initiative, self-reliance, self-control, and the ability to do things; character is thereby developed, and strong Christian character is what the church needs today.

(d) The Organized Boys' Bible Cla.s.ses will, without a doubt, become as universal in their scope as Organized Adult Bible Cla.s.ses. To be affiliated with the biggest teen age organization in the world will, in itself, appeal to every teen age boy and girl.

(e) Organization increases cla.s.s spirit. The organized cla.s.s becomes "our cla.s.s," not the "teacher's cla.s.s." The unorganized cla.s.s suffers greatly if the teacher is removed, and sometimes is obliged to disband.

The organized cla.s.s helps to secure another teacher, and, in the interim, maintains its cla.s.s work and is thus kept together. Though much depends upon the teacher, the permanency of the cla.s.s should not rest wholly upon his personality and work. Changes must necessarily come.

(f) Organization enables the cla.s.s to do things. The appointment of special committees, the a.s.signment of definite work to each committee, and the introduction of various cla.s.s activities does much toward realizing the ideal--"an adequate Christian service for every member."

Large and permanent success is a.s.sured when this ideal is attained.

=Standard of Organization=

1. The cla.s.s shall have at least five officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Teacher. It shall also have as many committees as necessary to carry on its work.

2. The cla.s.s shall be definitely connected with a Sunday school.

3. A Sunday Bible session and, if practicable, week-day session or activities.

4. The age limits of the cla.s.s shall be not less than thirteen or more than twenty years.

=How to Organize=

Secure Secondary Division Leaflet No. 2, of the International Sunday School a.s.sociation.

Study this leaflet carefully, noting especially the standard of organization and the suggestive const.i.tution, which seek to define an organized cla.s.s. Distribute leaflets among those whom you wish to interest and enlist. Organization should not be forced on the cla.s.s. Do not go at it as though you were laying a trap. Observe the following:

(a) Think it through yourself; then put yourself in the pupil's place and ask yourself the question, "How would I like to have this presented to me?" This will give you the viewpoint of your cla.s.s, and you are then ready to go ahead. You must believe in it thoroughly, enthusiastically, before you can hope for the interest and enthusiasm of your cla.s.s.

(b) Next, get two or three of your "key" pupils, and talk it over with them. Show them the possibilities of the organization, emphasizing the physical, mental, social and spiritual activities.

(c) Follow this with a special meeting of the cla.s.s, to be held either at the home of the teacher or one of the cla.s.s.

(d) Make the organization genuine, and show that you mean business. The teen age abhors shams, and will readily detect any weak spots in the organization. Impress upon them the necessity of selecting capable officers. Adopt the cla.s.s const.i.tution, which follows, select cla.s.s name and motto, and elect the officers.

(e) Then let the officers conduct the meetings, both in the Sunday and the mid-week sessions. The teacher is one of the cla.s.s and is the director of activities; the officers and committeemen do the work.

(f) In all things keep in close touch with the general superintendent and the departmental superintendent of the school. Seek the strength that comes from advice and cooperation.

=Const.i.tution=

A cla.s.s const.i.tution is not essential, but is often helpful. The following form of const.i.tution is merely suggestive and may be changed to conform to the needs of the cla.s.s.

_Article I_--Name.

Our cla.s.s shall be known as _______________ _____________ and shall be connected with, and form a part of, the ______________Sunday school of_______.

_Article II_--Object.

The object of the cla.s.s shall be the training of Christian character for Christian service in the extension of Christ's Kingdom by means of Bible study, through-the-week activities, mutual helpfulness, and social fellowship, in addition to the winning of its members' allegiance to Christ as Saviour and Lord.

_Article III_--Cla.s.s Spirit.

To create an individuality in cla.s.s spirit, loyalty and enthusiasm, the cla.s.s shall have an emblem, a motto and a color. It may also have a flower, a song, a yell, a whistle, or such other additions as may seem wise.

_Article IV_--Membership.

Any boy may become a member of this cla.s.s on invitation of the cla.s.s.

_Article V_--Officers.

The cla.s.s officers may include the following: Teacher, President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by ballot semiannually by the cla.s.s, and no officer shall serve in the same position more than two terms in succession, except the teacher, whose election or appointment is governed by the church or Sunday school. The teacher may be elected by the cla.s.s from a list provided by the church authorities.

_Article VI_--Committees

There shall be as many committees in the cla.s.s as necessary, such as Social, Literary, Music, Athletic, etc.

_Article VII_--Meetings.

The cla.s.s shall meet at ____o'clock each Sunday for its regular Bible study session. Week-day meetings may be held each week. Special meetings may be called at any time by the president, and the presence of one-fourth of the enrolled membership shall be necessary for the transaction of cla.s.s business.

_Article VIII_--Duties of Officers and Committees.

Sec. 1. The teacher shall teach the lesson, shall be an ex officio member of all committees, and shall work cooperatively with the president in promoting the interests of the cla.s.s.