THE QUESTION CORNER by C. C. L.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 25, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 47

THE QUESTION CORNER.

By C. C. L.

“WHAT can be done with unconverted members of the Sabbath-school who will not get their lessons, and who resist as impertinent all friendly efforts of teacher and classmates to help them understand the importance of Bible study?”

A. The difficulties here mentioned are three: (1) The pupil is unconverted; (2) He does not learn the lesson; (3) He resists friendly efforts in his behalf from his teacher. This is an extreme case. The mind of such an individual is not cast in a fine mold. Most persons who attend the Sabbath-school, even though they be unconverted, would from personal pride try to get the lesson; they would be ashamed to do otherwise: and no person of refinement would resist friendly efforts for his good on the part of the teacher. But still it is true that in nearly every school there are individuals to whom the above description is applicable, in a measure at least. They may be unconverted and have poor lessons; they may profess to be converted, and still have poor lessons; while there are comparatively few, converted or unconverted, who fully appreciate or understand the importance of Bible study. What shall be done, then, in cases of this kind?

Do this: Pray every day for the conversion of that pupil. Pray that the Holy Spirit may soften his heart. Pray that your own heart may be tender. See to it that you never manifest impatience or coldness toward your unappreciative scholar. Remember that many persons who were discouragingly bad before conversion have made excellent Christians afterward, and that it is an important part of the teacher’s duty to labor for the conversion of his pupils. Remember that it is the part of a good teacher to arouse an indifferent scholar, and make the lessons so interesting that he will desire to study them. Remember that unconverted people cannot be expected to understand the importance of Bible study, and that you must inspire them with a sense of that importance.

“Yes, yes,” perhaps some are thinking, almost impatiently, “we understand all about that; but the question is, How shall the matter be accomplished?” That is a most difficult, but at the same time a most important, question to answer. The writer cannot certainly say how the teacher should proceed in every case; the circumstances must in a measure determine his course. But the following general thoughts may assist some:—

1. The teacher should be in an eminent degree all that he desires his scholars to be. He should be thoroughly, soundly converted himself, else he cannot lead them to Christ. He must have perfect lessons if he would secure reasonably good lessons from them. He must be alive to the importance of Bible study himself if he would inspire them with a sense of its importance.

2. Be uniformly kind and patient with the erring ones. You must win their confidence and love if you would benefit them. Take particular pains to show your interest in them. Go out of your way to speak to them.

3. You will be as likely to accomplish your object by means of private conversations as in any other way. Do not reproach the individual; indeed, it might be well not to talk about the Sabbath-school at first. Get acquainted with your pupil, and secure his confidence. Then at the proper time you can talk about the school, Bible study, and other religious matters.

4. Secure the co-operation of the best members of your class. They may be able to approach the unconverted ones successfully from their own standpoint.

5. Lastly, never become discouraged in your efforts; they cannot always “resist as impertinent” your efforts in their behalf, if you approach them in the right spirit. “A continual dropping will wear away a stone.” So, continued kindness will touch their hearts. If not, the patient exercise of kindness will still have done you good.

C. C. L.