Four square for Christ: the Presbyterian Bible class movement 1902-1972: its background, its rise, its influence and its decline

Abstract

Four Square for Christ is a history of the Presbyterian Bible Class Movement which existed as a national organisation in New Zealand from 1902 until 1972. Part One investigates the background of the Bible classes in the British Sunday School Movement and in colonial New Zealand. Part Two describes the history of this unique movement, endeavouring to show reasons for its growth and its eventual demise. The thesis argued is that this organisation grew rapidly early in the twentieth century because it provide young people with fellowship, fun and an opportunity for limited self-education in the respectable surroundings of the local parish. The decline of the movement began at the time of the first World war. This proceeded insidiously, aggravated by a shortage of leaders, until membership decreased dramatically in the 1960s. At this time it became apparent that the Bible Class Movement no longer presented a programme which was relevant to the youth of the time. Because of its unwillingness to look at problems objectively and its inability to adjust to changing sociological conditions, the Movement ceased to exist in 1972. Its inheritor, the C.Y.M.P., failed to engender support and faded from the scene leaving the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand with no national youth organisation.