BE INTERESTED YOURSELF.
By Geo. R. Avery
To teach a lesson implies a previous knowledge of it; and this “knowledge is power,” which teaching renders effectual. To acquire this power the teacher must himself be a learner; what he thinks he has, should be re-studied, that he may know it is his; he is then prepared to teach it. Now to learn a lesson implies that something be learned; no mere rehearsal will suffice. We will suppose that a teacher glances over a lesson for the coming Sabbath: “Why,” says he, “I learned that lesson years ago; I can answer every question now, after reading it once, and besides, I have so much to do of more importance that I’ll leave this at present.” Sabbath comes; the teacher is in his seat, and every member of his class is punctual. They rise to sing, but our teacher’s mind seems unsteady; he is trying to sing, and at the same time think up answers to two or three questions in the lesson which he thought he knew. Recitation follows, being prefaced by the remark of the teacher, “We have a very interesting lesson to-day; I hope you are all prepared to recite.” The questions are read, and, with an exception or two, all in the class can answer; but alas for the teacher! some one has been thinking, and now questions come from the other side. To one he says, “Really, I don’t know;” the next he refers to a member of the class, and the teacher guesses that the answer is right; questions which follow are left open for the next week. The result of this lack on the teacher’s part is ruinous, to himself and to the class; his interest is only put on; and while those in his class who have a real love for the Bible may possibly retain it, others, who have not this love, never will have, under his instructions, until he shows his interest by real, earnest, prayerful study.