The principal work of the school is done along the lines of the
International Lessons, which are used in all the departments, although
the method of teaching them varies in the different grades.
In addition to the International Lessons Supplemental Lessons are taught
in the Primary and Intermediate Departments. In the Primary Department
these include the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Twenty-third
Psalm, the Beatitudes, and the Apostles' Creed.
The following schedule will show at a glance what are the specific
studies of each grade in the Intermediate Department:
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Age. | Grade. | International Lesson. | Supplemental Lesson.[B]
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| | |
9 | I | Learn and recite the | First half of Catechism
| | memory verses. | No. 1.
| | |
10 | II | Same as Grade I. | Last half of Catechism
| | | No. I.
| | |
11 | III | Learn memory verses | Life of Jesus.
| | and one thought. |
| | |
12 | IV | Study persons (if any) | Studies about the
| | and one thought. | Bible.
| | |
13 | V | Study places (if any) | Bible Geography.
| | and two thoughts. |
| | |
14 | VI | Study manners and customs | Bible History.
| | and two thoughts. |
| | |
15 | VII | Teachings of the lesson | History of Christian
| | having special reference | Church.
| | to manhood and |
| | womanhood. |
| | |
16 | VIII | Same as Grade VII. | History of M. E.
| | | Church.
| | |
17 | IX | Teachings of lesson bearing | Doctrine and rules
| | directly upon practical | of the M. E.
| | Christianity. | Church.
| | |
18 | X | Same as Grade IX. | Government of M.
| | | E. Church.
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Some explanation of the above is needed:
1. The study of the International Lessons. In all the grades the first
things to be learned in each lesson are the title, the Golden Text, and
the lesson story, and after these are learned the teachers take up the
specific grade instruction as above. The lesson thought, which appears
first in Grade III, is carried through all the remaining grades as the
central thought for the session. These thoughts are selected by the
superintendent, and by him indicated to the teachers at the beginning of
each quarter. To illustrate: Take the lesson for September 11, 1892, the
title of which was Philip and the Ethiopian. After learning the title,
Golden Text, and lesson story the different grades will study as
follows:
Grades I and II. Learn the memory verses: 35-38.
Grade III. Learn the memory verses and study thought: "Philip preached
Jesus."
Grade IV. Study about the persons: Philip, Candace, the eunuch, and
Esaias, and also the same thought as in Grade III.
Grade V. Study about the places: Jerusalem, Gaza, Ethiopia, Azotus, and
Cesarea, and the two thoughts: "Philip preached Jesus," and "Prompt
response to call of duty."
Grade VI. Study customs: going to Jerusalem to worship, ceremony of
baptism, riding in chariot, and the same two thoughts as in Grade V.
Grades VII and VIII. Thoughts--
"Philip preached Jesus."
"Prompt response to call of duty."
"Habit of reading."
"Understand as you read."
"Act up to your knowledge."
Grades IX and X. Thoughts--
"Philip preached Jesus. I can do the same."
"Prompt response to call of duty. How these calls come."
"Fulfillment of prophecy."
"Immediate conversion and baptism."
"The new-found joy."
2. The Supplemental Lessons. The aim of these lessons is to furnish
systematic instruction upon the subjects indicated, which are matters
that every well-informed person ought to know, but which cannot be
taught from the International Lessons. Each year contains thirty-six
lessons which can easily be memorized and recited in the twenty minutes
usually allowed for this study. The titles readily suggest the nature of
the lessons.
A weekly teachers' meeting is held under the direction of the
superintendent for the purpose of assisting the teachers in the right
understanding of the things required to be taught on the succeeding
Sunday, and instructing them in methods of teaching that particular
lesson. It is a sort of teachers' meeting and normal class combined.