22
Counsels on Sabbath School Work
To hold yourselves aloof from an investigation of truth is not the
way to carry out the Saviour’s injunction to “search the Scriptures.” Is
it digging for hidden treasures to call the results of some one’s labor a
mass of rubbish, and make no critical examination to see whether or
not there are precious jewels of truth in the collection of thought which
you condemn? Will those who have almost everything to learn keep
themselves away from every meeting where there is an opportunity
to investigate the messages that come to the people, simply because
they imagine the views held by the teachers of the truth may be out
of harmony with what they have conceived as truth? Thus it was that
[30]
the Jews did in the days of Christ, and we are warned not to do as
they did, and be led to choose darkness rather than light, because there
was in them an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
No one of those who imagine that they know it all is too old or too
intelligent to learn from the humblest of the messengers of the living
God.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 62-66
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The Teacher to Be a Learner
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish
and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
Those who would become the educators of the youth and children must
learn much, very much, both in precept and experience, in order that
they may be successful laborers for God. They must grow in grace and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, attaining unto
the measure of the stature of Christ. Growth in grace is a testimony
to the fact that you are abiding in Christ as the branch is abiding in
the vine. If you abide in Him, you will have power to discern spiritual
truth, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
“I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and
the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked
one.” God calls upon the young men and young women to make the
most of their entrusted ability. He would have you cultivate habits
[31]
of industry, habits of study, that you may improve the talents He has
given you. God will accept your service, and the improvement of your
talents, but He cannot look with approval upon half-hearted, halfway
work. Every branch of God’s work calls for the exercise of the highest