Chapter 18—Christ Our Example
In order to do the will of God, we must search His Word, that we
may know His doctrine, and put to the task all our intrusted ability. We
must be diligent in prayer, and fervent in simple, wholehearted service
to God. Those who are engaged as teachers in the Sabbath-school
should hunger and thirst for divine truth, that they may impart this
Spirit to those under their care, and lead their pupils to seek for truth
as for hidden treasure. We do not want our Sabbath-schools conducted
in such a way as to make hypocrites of the pupils; for such can not
advance the interests of true religion. Then let there be more attention
given to seeking God, that the Spirit of the Lord may be in your school,
than that you may have every mechanical arrangement you may desire.
High pretensions of any kind are out of place in the Sabbath-school
work, and the mechanical working of the school is of little value if the
Spirit of God does not soften and mould the hearts of the teachers and
pupils....
Let not the teacher in Sabbath-school follow the example of those
who do not grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, even though those who minister in the sacred desk have given
them such an example. He who would be accepted as a laborer together
with God must not be found imitating the tone, manners, or ideas of
any other man. He must learn of God, and be endowed with heavenly
wisdom. God has given the gift of reason and intellect to one worker
the same as He has to another; and according to your ability you are to
put your talents out to the exchangers. The Lord would not have any
worker the mere shadow of another whom he admires. The teacher
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must grow up into the measure of the stature of Christ, not to the
measure of some finite erring mortal. You are to “grow in grace,” and
where is grace to be found?—Only in Christ, the divine Pattern.
Then let every one look to Christ and copy the divine Model. Let
every worker tax his powers to the utmost to work in harmony with
the plan of God. Let him learn in the school of Christ, that he may be
wise in instructing others. Those who are committed to the care of the
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