School for Bible Study
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Jesus must be the motive of all effort. It impels, its constrains, it
captivates.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 101-105
.
Parents in the Sabbath School
The Sabbath school affords precious opportunities and privileges
for the young. Parents should highly prize these advantages, and show
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their children that they appreciate them. If they manifest no decided
interest in the school themselves, they cannot expect their children to
do so. In the Sabbath school, parents may be learners as well as the
children. Both parents and children should seek to have a knowledge
of the Scriptures. Other books should be secondary to the word of
God. Christ has said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye
have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” We ought
all of us to be better acquainted with the prophecies than we are, and
to have a more thorough knowledge of the practical lessons of Christ.
If we merely read the Scriptures uninterestedly, we cannot become
intelligent in the truths therein contained.
Study the Lesson Every Day
Parents should search the Scriptures with their children. They
should become familiar with the lessons themselves; then they can
assist their children in learning them. Every day some portion of
time should be appropriated to the study of the lessons, not merely in
learning to mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not
comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very foundation, and become
familiar with what is brought out in the lesson. The indifference of the
children, in very many cases, is chargeable to the parents. They are
indifferent, and the children catch the same spirit. If parents show that
they attach importance to the Sabbath school, by giving it respect and
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prominence, the children will generally copy their example.
Teaching Sabbath Observance
Parents should have a thorough understanding with their family
that the sacred hours of the Sabbath are to be spent to God’s glory.
They should be up with the sun, and have plenty of time to prepare for
Sabbath school without getting into a rush, and perhaps losing self-