THIS is a fine test for the memory which can be used for older
children and adults. It will require some study before it can be used
effectively.
Secure twelve large envelopes and enclose in each a beautiful
scripture and floral card. Say you are about to distribute in the mail
twelve letters for the Disciples. You will not call out the names.
Now, ask twelve children, or adults, to come forward and say I have
here twelve letters for the Disciples. I will not read their names,
but will describe them. If you recognize them by the description I
give, you are to speak the name and I will give you the letter to be
delivered to them. If you cannot find the disciple whose name you
pronounced, then you are to keep the letter and its contents as yours.
Ask the first one in the row the first question: if he fails to
answer, ask him to take his seat. If he answers it let him stand there
in his place, but don't ask him again unless all the others have
failed. The question about the second letter to the second individual,
and so on, for the letters. Holding up the first letter you say "I
have here a letter for one of the Disciples (on the envelope you have
the description of the Disciple written) who was believed to be the
oldest of them all. He once tried to walk on the water, wrote two
epistles which bear his name, dined his Lord three times. What was his
name? (Peter.)
After this question is disposed of, ask the next question. "I now hold
in my hand a letter for the Disciple who first brought another to
Jesus" (Andrew.) "I hold in my hand a letter for the Disciple who was
called the "Son of Thunder" the first martyr--who was he? (James.) "I
have a letter for the Disciple who took Mary away from the crowd on
Calvary, to his own home. Wrote five books of the New Testament and
was especially dear to Jesus. Who was he? (John.) "I have a letter for
the Disciple who brought the second Disciple to Jesus, Can you name
him?" (Philip.) "I hold in my hand a letter for the Disciple who was
an Israelite indeed and was also called Bartholomew. What was his
other name?" (Nathaniel.) "I have a letter for one who was a doubter.
What was his name?" (Thomas.) "I have one for the Disciple who was a
collector of taxes and wrote one of the Gospels. Can you name him?"
(Matthew.) "I hold in my hand a letter for a Disciple who was perhaps
the brother of Matthew, and the son of Alphaeus. Can you speak his
name?" (James, the son of Alphaeus.) "I have a letter for the Disciple
who had three names whose father's name was James. What were his
names?" (Judas Thaddeus Lebbaeus.) "I have one for a Disciple who
belongs to the zealots. What was his name?" (Simon of Cana.) "I have a
letter for the Disciple who committed suicide and betrayed his Lord.
Who was he?" (Judas.)
This is a good scripture exercise and can be used in the number of
ways. If you so desire you may fasten their envelopes on some
background in full view of the audience and ask the questions a week
ahead of time, so they might have time to look up the questions and
come prepared to answer them. It is a good drill for children which
will enable them to learn the names of the Disciples and something
about each of them. Study it out well, and then try it out.
=CHAPTER XXVI
THERE'S A MESSAGE IN THE CANDLE=
_Objects used: A Large Candle, standing for the story of Joseph and
His Brethren_