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THE MODEL TEACHER

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 17, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 11

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THE MODEL TEACHER.

By H. F. Phelps

WHAT is a model teacher? and what are his characteristics? and may this point of excellence be reached?
It is more than likely that every teacher has a desire to excel; and although he may not expect to reach the goal of perfection, yet no doubt he would be glad to attain that desirable end. To point out, if possible, some of the means by which we may reach this position, is my object. And if I may be able to increase the desire of any for more thoroughness in this important part of the Sabbath-school work, I shall feel more than paid.
First, then, let me enumerate some of the things that a model teacher will not do. He will not let the whole week go by without study, meditation, and careful preparation, leaving all this for Sabbath morning. He will not come late to the Sabbath-school. He will not come into the class dependent upon the lesson sheet or class-book. He will not notice every little failure with a reproof. He will never speak in a fretful tone or find fault. He will not look for perfection in any one.
He will do quite the opposite of all this. He will realize the worth of time, and will commence early in the week to prepare for the next Sabbath, and that preparation will be so thorough, and the lesson will be so carefully studied in all its points, and looked at from all sides, that he will become so fully conversant with the subject as not to need the lesson sheet. He will feel the need of attending the teacher’s meetings, and thus lend his influence to encourage his fellow-teachers. When the hour of Sabbath-school arrives, he will invariably be at his post, greeting his class in a pleasant manner. He will be very desirous that all shall be done at the right time, and in the proper manner. His eyes will be open to take in the whole class at once. Thus he will be able to detect the first departure from right, or the first appearance of a lack of interest in any member, and he will always be able to apply the proper remedy at the right time and in the right manner. He will not only labor that his class may understand and appreciate the lesson, but he will seek, by the aid of the Spirit of God, to so impress the lesson truth that it shall find a deep place in the heart of each scholar; and finding deep soil, it will spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. He will also seek day by day, both in the school and out of it, to have his department in accordance with the holy truths he tries to impress upon the hearts of others. He will also feel these truths himself. He will realize that a responsibility of soul rests upon him,—that he must give an account to God for those souls committed to his care; and, feeling this, he will labor that he may render this account with joy and not with grief. He will also see the necessity of seeking God very earnestly for himself.
And right here lies the secret of the success of every teacher, and without this we can do nothing. We may do all the work here indicated, and still make a miserable failure because we do not get down to rock bottom. A model teacher will never be satisfied with surface work. He may never reasonably expect the blessing of God upon his work unless he seeks for it. He will seek God for wisdom, and for an understanding heart that he may be able to apply the wisdom that God gives him.
Let me point you to a model teacher, that you may study his example; for the more we study a perfect pattern, the more perfect will our work be. That teacher is Christ. He spake as never man spake. He taught as never man taught. The truths he uttered came from a heart that felt the force of those truths. Thus it should be with us. His sympathies were fully enlisted in his work. Ours must not be divided. He felt and realized the value of a soul. We must feel the same. He labored in an unselfish manner. Should we do less?—Never, if we expect to meet the approbation of the great Teacher. A model teacher should be a co-worker with Christ. If a co-worker, he will make personal efforts to save the members of his class, he will make personal appeals. Christ came to seek and to save the perishing. He came to those that needed his help, and made their sorrows, sufferings, and weaknesses his own. There was no cold formality in his work. He loved the world and loved his work, and gave his life to save those whom he loved. And, truly, greater love hath no man than this, “that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
May God help us, one and all, to study more and more the life and example of our model Teacher. May we strive to attain to the standard that is set before us, and never become discouraged in our work till we shall reach the standard of perfection that shall enable us to do good work for the Master, and at last hear the well done.
H. F. PHELPS.