WE are hearing good reports of blessings from the use of these Berean Studies in the Scriptures. We urge that each little group have one special session for these lessons and that one leader be selected for at least three months;—a leader who will enter into the spirit of the studies and who knows how to draw the answers from the class and then can briefly summarize at the close of each question. Following this course the Allegheny Church has adopted these studies for every Sunday evening, and the interest is shown by the fact that the attendance has about doubled during the past eight months.
If good readers are numerous in the class, assign one reference to each; if few, several references to each. (The reading must be clear and distinct or the profit of the lesson will be sacrificed.) The Scripture references come first, then the DAWN references: the six volumes of DAWN being indicated by the first six letters of the alphabet, A, B, C, D, E, F. Similarly, T represents "Tabernacle Shadows," and S "Spiritism." The letter Z represents the WATCH TOWER, '02-152 signifying page 152 of the year 1902. The columns and paragraphs are indicated thus: col. 2, par. 3.
1. What is love? Z.'03-55 (2nd col. last par.); Z.'03-58; (1st col. par. 2).
2. How does the Apostle describe love? I Cor. 13:1, Z.'03-56 (1st col. par. 1). I Cor. 13:2, Z.'03-56 (1st col. par. 2). I Cor. 13:3, Z.'03-56 (1st col. par. 3; 2nd col. par. 1). I Cor. 13:4, Z.'03-56 (2nd col. par. 2, 3); Z.'03-57 (1st col. par. 1, 2); Z.'97-247 (1st col. par. 1-4). I Cor. 13:5, Z.'03-57 (1st col. par. 3 to 2nd col. par. 3); Z.'97-247 (1st col. par. 5 and 2nd col.) I Cor. 13:6, Z.'03-57 (2nd col. par. 4); Z.'97-248 (1st col. 1 to 3). I Cor. 13:7, Z.'03-58 (1st col. par. 1); Z.'97-248 (2nd col. par. 1 to 3). I Cor. 13:8, Z.'03-58 (1st col. par. 3); Z.'97-248 (2nd col. par. 4). I Cor. 13:9-12, Z.'03-58 (2nd col. par. 1, 2); Z.'97-249 (1st col. par. 1 to 3). I Cor. 13:13, Z.'97-249 (2nd col. par. 1).
3. How does the illustration of the spectrum assist us to comprehend love? Z.'97-245 (2nd col. par. 2, 3); 246 (1st col. par. 1).
4. What is the distinction between natural, or human love, and spiritual, or divine love? Z.'00-182 (1st col. par. 5); Z.'03-333 (2nd col. par. 1 to 3).
5. What is the difference between duty-love (phileo) and disinterested or divine love (agapee)? Z.'01-149, 150.
6. What is the three-fold manifestation of the spirit of love? Z.'96-212 (1st col. par. 3); Manna, June 27.
7. How may we distinguish between true and false love? Z.'95-210 (1st col.).
8. What is the importance of this grace? Z.'97-244 (1st col. par. 1 to 3; 2nd col. par. 2).
9. How is love attained? Z.'97-246 (2nd col. par. 1, 2); Z.'00-183 (1st col. par. 1); Z.'98-8 (2nd col. par. 2).
10. Why is an "aggressive warfare" necessary to attain unto love? Z.'95-03 (2nd col.); Manna, Apr. 9.
11. What is the relative importance of the early "gifts" of the Spirit, and the spirit of love? F.238, par. 2; Z.'97-289 (2nd col. par. 2).
12. Why should love be the mainspring of all our actions? Z.'03-91 (1st col. par. 2).
13. What is the relation between love and purity of heart, and how may we purify our hearts? Titus 1:15,16; Z.'99-214 (2nd col. par. 1); 215 (2nd col. par. 1) to 217; Z.'05-216 (1st col. par. 3, 4).
14. How is love the seal or evidence of our begetting as New Creatures? E.286, par. 2; 267-270; Z.'97-289 (1st col. par. 1 to 2nd col. par. 1).
Each one appointed for reader should have his BIBLE or DAWN or TOWER on hand, previously read, and should be prepared to respond at the leader's call without stopping to hunt his place. All of course have BIBLES and DAWNS, and some one in each company is likely to have old TOWERS and will be glad to loan them for the benefit of the class.
Opportunity for discussing each question should be given after the references have been read and before the leader makes a brief closing summary of the answer and proceeds to read the next question. It is urged that the questions as printed be strictly adhered to until they have all been discussed. It will generally be found that all questions are included on the subject. The reason for care on this point is that if the questions are intruded that come later the subsequent lessons are considerably spoiled thereby. The leader should be expected to kindly, gently, but firmly hold the class to the question under discussion, and in this he should have the cooperation of all who recognize the value of order in the study of the Divine Plan of the Ages.