Chapter 10—Cooperation with Christ
The Sabbath-school teacher should be a laborer together with God,
cooperating with Christ. Do not be content with a lifeless, formal
religion. The object of Sabbath-school work should be the in-gathering
of souls. The order of working may be faultless, the facilities all that
could be desired; but if the children and youth are not brought to
Christ, the school is a failure; for unless souls are drawn to Christ,
they become more and more unimpressionable under the influence
of a formal religion. The teacher should cooperate, as he knocks at
the door of the heart of those who need help. If pupils respond to the
pleading of the Spirit, and open the door of the heart, that Jesus may
come in, He will open their understanding, that they may comprehend
the things of God. The teacher’s work is simple work, but if it is done
in the Spirit of Jesus, depth and efficiency will be added to it by the
operation of the Spirit of God.
There should be much personal work done in the Sabbath-school.
The necessity of this kind of work is not recognized and appreciated
as it should be. From a heart filled with gratitude for the love of God,
which has been imparted to the soul, the teacher should labor tenderly
and earnestly for the conversion of his scholars.
What evidence can we give to the world that the Sabbath-school
work is not a mere pretense? It will be judged by its fruits. It will be
estimated by the character and work of the pupils. In our Sabbath-
schools the Christian youth should be intrusted with responsibilities,
that they may develop their abilities and gain spiritual power. Let the
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youth first give themselves to God, and then let them in their early
experience be taught to help others. This work will bring their faculties
into exercise and enable them to learn how to plan and how to execute
their plans for the good of their associates. Let them seek the company
of those who need help, not to engage in foolish conversation, but
to represent Christian character, to be laborers together with God,
winning those who have not given themselves to God.
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