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TEACHERS’ MEETINGS

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Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 12, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 7

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TEACHERS’ MEETINGS.

By R. A. Underwood; Ida Sharpe; Sarah Stevens

At the Sabbath-school meeting held in connection with the T. and M. Institute at Corsica, Ohio, Jan. 30, a committee was appointed to suggest a plan for conducting teachers’ meetings, and also to answer a few questions pertaining to the S. S. work. The following is the substance of their report:—
1. We recommend that the teachers and officers hold a meeting, either once a week or once a month.
2. That all engage in a season of prayer, earnestly seeking the Lord for help and strength to carry on the S. S. work, and that plans be here laid whereby the work of the school may be made more effective.
3. If maps, charts, blackboards, etc., are needed to add to the interest of the school, here provide some way that they may be obtained. See that the school has all the Instructors necessary.
4. If any class should need to be divided or two classes to be put together, consider this matter, and appoint the proper teachers. Consider what is needed to interest the small children, and see that they have teachers who understand how to hold their attention, and who have the love of God in their hearts.
5. Let each teacher bestow personal labor upon each member of his class, and, if proper, give his experience for the benefit of others. If some member of the school is upon the point of deciding to obey the truth, or is in deep trial or distress, let some one in particular be designated to visit him.
6. If possible, let a considerable portion of the time be devoted to the consideration of the lesson for the coming week. Consider what is the best way to get lessons, when to get them, and how to get them.
Let all seek the Lord before coming to these meetings, and plead for his blessing to rest upon them as they assemble.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Can an unconverted person teach in the Sabbath-school successfully? We answer, No. We regard it as the first object of the Sabbath-school teacher to lead the unconverted to Christ. Our work is not only to cultivate the mental powers and to teach faith in the Holy Scriptures, but to enlighten the mind relative to the solemn message of warning that is going to the earth’s remotest bounds. Therefore, as the stream cannot rise higher than its fountain-head, one who is unacquainted with experimental religion would be unfitted to impart wisdom to those who may be saved or lost by his influence.
Should a teacher sit while teaching? We think not.
Should he finish teaching before the time for closing the recitations, and allow the class to sit idly gazing around the room? We answer decidedly, No. Teachers should be so full of the subject of the lesson that they could fill even double the time given to recitations. They should branch out upon the subject, that not one moment may be lost; and they should have such an interest that the scholars will catch the same spirit.
R. A. UNDERWOOD, IDA SHARPE, SARAH STEVENS, } Committee.