The Training Class
Since it has become known that the editor is undertaking an intense teaching program at the Park Hill Clutch in Fort Smith, many requests have been received for information about the lessons, whatever mimeographed material may be available, and any ideas or suggestions for the encouragement and cultivation of such work in other congregations. We have been asked to give an occasional editorial or article describing the progress and program of the classes. This is the first of what may be several articles at various intervals on this work.
The "Training Class" as we conceive it at Park Hill, and as we are seeking to perfect it has a threefold objective, and is directed toward a dual personnel. We have several in the class who intend to devote their full time to the preaching of the gospel, and there are a number of others whose interest is not in full time preaching, but who want training and help in the matter of conducting public worship, and teaching on occasion. Theologians have given the technical name "homiletics" to the first field (the science or art or theory of preaching), and "liturgics" to the second (the science or theory of public worship).
The three-fold objective of the class is: (1) to help the student to know the truth, (2) to know how to present the truth so as to make it effective in the lives of his hearers, and (3) to give practice and experience so that proficiency and ability may be increased.
Knowing The Truth — Hermeneutics
Our class period (lasting from an hour and a half to two hours) is devoted partly to a study of the simple rules of Biblical interpretation. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Paul prayed for the Colossians that they might "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Without a proper understanding of how to determine the true will of God from the revelation he has given we are hopelessly at sea. While much of the present controversy among the churches of Christ is obviously an outgrowth of an attitude of indifference and unconcern as to the teaching of the scripture, it is certainly true that there are some good men who are honestly confused and uninformed as to the true application of Biblical passages. In this training class we hope to help each student get a clear, adequate, and working knowledge of the simple fundamentals of Biblical interpretation.
The second objective is to equip the student with the technical knowledge of how best to implant that truth in the hearts of his hearers. In other words, we want to help him to know what to teach, and then how to teach it. This area of work involves not only public speaking, but the proper construction and development of sermons as well. We will strive to impress upon every student the necessity of "preaching for a verdict" every time he gets on the floor — either to instruct, to strengthen, to move to appreciation, or action, or whatever the particular aim of the sermon may be.
But knowing what to say and knowing how to say it do not exhaust the purpose of our "Training Class:" we want also to give as much practice as we possibly can in every phase of the activities — public reading of the scriptures, public prayer, leading of songs, presentation of talks, making of announcements, and all the various tasks that befall either a preacher of the gospel or any male member of the church who may on occasion be called upon for public participation in the services of the congregation.
In addition to this class work, we want to give what assistance we can in helping the students develop proper habits of study, guide them in the selection and purchase of the most valuable books and reference works for their libraries; and, in general, prepare them in every practical way within our power that they may go out and do effective work in the spreading of the gospel of Christ. In the course of our study we will have occasion to give some thought to the practical aspects of making the gospel effective in the lives of individuals (the technical term is "poimenics," meaning the shepherding of souls), a work God has in a peculiar sense committed to the elders in the congregations. We have high hopes that in the years to come many faithful men will be better elders in many congregations because of the training, the instruction, and the help they received as young men in the "Training Class" at Park Hill Church. We conceive this to be the best and most effective way to train future leaders for faithful congregations of the Lord — with every congregation carrying on its own "training class," and preparing its own members for effective service for Christ.
From time to time we want to give further articles descriptive of the classes that are being conducted (personal evangelism; church history; Christian evidences; and teacher training). We sincerely hope that such a program may stimulate congregations everywhere to do more than they are now doing in these practical and sorely needed areas of work. In ALL of the classes the Bible is our textbook, our fountain source of all instruction. In the truest sense of the word these are "Bible classes" — classes not designed merely to master information of the Bible, but to implant the truths of the Bible so firmly in the hearts of the students that their whole lives will be moulded and influenced for effective service.
— F. Y. T.