Teacher and His Work
75
The love of Christ should be cherished. More faith is needed
in the work which we believe is to be done before the coming of
Christ. There should be more self-denying, self-sacrificing labor in
the right direction. There should be thoughtful, prayerful study how to
work to the best advantage. Careful plans should be matured. There
are minds among us that can invent and carry out, if they are only
put to use. Great results would follow well-directed and intelligent
efforts.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 9
.
Mistakes Pointed Out
The Sabbath school, if rightly conducted, is one of God’s great
instrumentalities to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth. It is not
the best plan for teachers to do all the talking, but they should draw
out the class to tell what they know. Then let the teacher, with a few
brief, pointed remarks or illustrations, impress the lesson upon their
minds. Under no circumstances should teachers go through the lesson
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mechanically, and then sit down, leaving the children to stare about,
or whisper and play, as we have seen them do. Such teaching is not
beneficial; it is often injurious. If the teacher is properly prepared,
every moment can be used to profit. The active minds of the children
should be kept constantly employed. Their ideas should be drawn out
and corrected, or approved, as the case may require. But never should
the teacher sit down, saying, “I am through.” There is no such thing
as getting through with the lesson.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School
Work, 18, 19
.
Spiritual Indolence
In some Sabbath schools, positions are given to persons who have
no aptitude to teach. They have no earnest love for souls. They do not
half understand the practical bearings of the truth themselves. How,
then, can they lead the children and youth to the living Fountain? Let
the teachers themselves drink deep of the water of salvation, and the
angels of God will minister to them, and they will know just what
course the Lord would have them take to win the precious youth to
Jesus. It requires aptitude, a will, perseverance, a spirit such as Jacob
had when he wrestled in prayer, and exclaimed, “I will not let Thee