The normal growth of the inner life of the spirit is likewise rapid, the spiritual awakening which may be counted on during this period bringing with it the first religious crisis in the life of the boy and girl. For this crisis the most careful preparation should be made. When the spiritual awakening comes, the child should be given an opportunity to choose for himself to live as God’s child in obedience to his laws and in loving unselfish devotion and service for others. When the choice has been made, the new sense of responsibility which follows must be fostered and the child aided by suggestion and encouragement in daily conduct to follow right habits of thought and action. The meaning, need and the helpfulness of worship may be taught through actual participation in services of worship suited to the pupil’s age and the manner of his natural expression of religious impulses and aspirations.
Materials and Methods
The materials provided in the course of religious instruction for this period take into account the growing interest of the pupil in definite information and knowledge. This material includes stories with a rich coloring of adventure and connected historical narratives appealing to the interests of this age. By the use of these materials the mind of the pupil is stored with the best Biblical images of strong and noble character as his studies introduce him to the great heroes and champions of the faith of past ages. Much emphasis is laid upon religious privileges and duties, while profitable occupation exercises are suggested to insure a daily reinforcement of the lesson taught in the Sunday school hour. By precept and example the teacher may inculcate habits of neatness, accuracy, punctuality, patience and other virtues. He may watch over the religious life and as a wise specialist in the field of soul nurture may anticipate and prepare the way for each successive stage of that life’s unfolding.
This Text Book
The introductory chapters of this Teacher’s Text Book, entitled Our Juniors, Their Teachers and Lesson Helps, present in detail the aims, the methods and the underlying principles governing this Junior Course. A careful study of this chapter together with the introductory chapters for the other years of the course will be found most profitable.
The Course and the Writer
We would unreservedly commend the writer of this course, Josephine L. Baldwin, to the confidence of all teachers. She writes, not from theory alone, but from long, practical experience in teaching Junior children. Every one of the lessons contained in this course she has taught repeatedly. As a teacher of teachers, therefore, she speaks with authority in the suggestions and directions contained in this Teacher’s Text Book. The stories and suggestions regarding method in the form in which they are here presented, are the rich fruitage of her expert knowledge and training. There are no better courses for use with children of junior age than this course. It is a tool well fashioned for its intended use. As such it will not furnish a substitute for intelligent study and devotion on the part of the teacher, nor will its use lessen the dependence of the teacher on Divine help and inspiration in teaching; but these personal qualifications being present, this Junior Course and the graded system, of which it is a part, should yield large returns for the Kingdom in the stimulation, growth, and enrichment of the religious experience and life of children.
The Editor.