THE BOYS' BRIGADE PHILOSOPHY

The OBJECT

The advancement of Christ’s kingdom among boys, and the promotion of habits of Obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness

The founder establishes this object and there has not been any drastic change in it since the 19^th century.

·         ADVANCEMENT OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM AMONGBOYS

There is a saying that “every child knows God”. The B.B. is therefore a way of helping Boys to maintain and widen their knowledge. The Bible encourages us to “teach a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The rate of growth among boys depends mainly upon the maturity and integrity of the Officers, as the Boys pick more from what the officers are than from what they teach. Boys must encourage to develop in all aspects.

PROMOTION OF HABITS

A. Obedience B. Reverence C. Discipline D. Self-respect. The habits of obedience, Reverence, discipline, and Self-Respect could only be promoted through education and the desire to serve others as well as the building of the body both physically and spiritually. These are achieved through a variety of activities like Bible Class, first aid, physical recreation and games, drills parade music art and crafts. These are mainly based on Luke chapter 2 verse 52, which is the four-conner program

·         ALL THAT TENDS TOWARDS TRUE CHRISTIAN MANLINESS

The aim of making the Boys into Christian men and helping them into active membership and fellowship of the Christian church much be achieved. The Christian is not made in the church only but in school, at home, and outside. This must be emphasized to the boys. The vitality of faithfulness and honesty must be stressed.

The aim of the Boys’ Brigade

The aim of the Boys’ Brigade is in two folds.

·         To make Boys into Christian men

·         To bring Boys into the active membership and fellowship of the Christian church

Specifically, the aim of the BB is to lead boys in the service of Jesus Christ and of his church.

THE METHOD

The founder believed that it was a good thing for the boys to be alive, be full of high spirits, and have a love for fun. It is not his desire to frustrate or quench those high spirits but to control and direct them into useful channels/pleasures. He does this as a matter of course. The B.B has a much deeper purpose to mold the boy’s character and win him for Christ and teach him to express his loyalty to Christ through true Christian manliness. The Boys’ Brigade was built on twin pillars of religious instruction and discipline.  Skills development has been added to the initial two pillars.

source: The Boys' Brigade, Ghana, officers' manual.