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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
glory of Christ’s presence within make the face speak His love, the
lips utter thankfulness and praise.
Those who are in the habit of communing with God will have His
light reflected in the countenance. Children hate the gloom of clouds
and sadness. Their hearts respond to brightness, to cheerfulness, to
love. While a teacher should be firm and decided, he should not be
stern, exacting, and dictatorial. A dignified authority is required in the
teacher, else he lacks that ability which will make him a successful
teacher. The children are quick to discern any weakness or defect of
character in the teacher. The deportment is making its impression. The
words which you utter will not give them the right mold unless they see
in your character the model. A correct Christian character exemplified
in the daily life will do a great work in the character building of your
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class, more, far more, than all your teachings and oft-repeated lessons.
God has so related us individually to the great web of humanity that
unconsciously we draw from others, with whom we are brought in
contact, their ways, practices, and habits. And God forbid that the
least of one of these little ones shall be left to walk from the path cast
up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. Let the teacher have that
practical godliness that the character and love of Jesus will be revealed
in him.
The Sabbath school is not a place of entertainment, to amuse and
divert the children, although, rightly conducted, it can be all of this; but
it is a place where children and youth are educated, where the Bible is
opened to the understanding, line upon line, precept upon precept, here
a little and there a little. It is a place where the light of truth is to be
imparted. Not all who teach in our Sabbath schools qualify themselves
for the work. Let every teacher feel that he must know more; he
must be better acquainted with those with whom he has to deal, better
acquainted with the best methods of imparting knowledge; and when
he has done the best he can, that he has come far short.—
Testimonies
on Sabbath-School Work, 95-98
.
The Teacher’s Influence
It is our own character and experience that determine our influence
upon others. In order to convince others of the power of Christ’s grace,
we must know its power in our own hearts and lives. The gospel we
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