02.08. The Privilege op Teaching God's Word ... by Mrs. C. L. Goodell

VIII. THE PRIVILEGE OF TEACHING GOD’S WORD.

It is a joy to teach God’s Word, to prepare for it, to anticipate it, carrying it in one’s heart. Many are the teachers all over our land who know this blessedness. Our Bible-schools are full of them.

There is a blessing in the preparation. Among the happiest hours are those with the open Bible at the feet of the great Teacher. A Sunday-school class is a good spur to Bible study. In this busy age many a Christian is at a loss for time to read, much less to search the Scriptures. This duty is crowded out by the pressing cares and toils of active life. While the body receives its nourishment the soul goes starving. But when you pledge yourself to a Bible-class, other things must give way; the lesson must be prepared, and this calls for faithful study of the Bible. It leads to real searching of the Scriptures. The teacher seeks diligently for the meaning and mastery of the passage. It is thus fixed permanently in his mind, and he makes solid progress through the demands of the class on him. He endeavors to have his heart in accord with the truth he studies, and with the object of the work before him. It takes him out of a dreamy sentimental Christianity, and settles him into the heart of divine truth. It compels him to dig out the meat of the Word and to be on his knees before God in earnest prayer, and to exert all his powers in behalf of his pupils. It keeps him on the watch for profitable thoughts and illustrations. He becomes a daily learner, searching for good things to bring to his class. Nothing could possibly occur better than this for the spiritual growth and enlargement of the teacher. It compels him to be in the spirit on the Lord’s day. It restrains from wandering thoughts, dispels indifference, and leads him to abide by the cross. He cannot squander time and opportunity. He cannot let down in his faith, nor allow his life to drift, being set to a lower grade of Christian living. A few years of such teaching, bringing all the better powers into play, establishes one’s character on a higher grade. The good obtained by such service grows wider in its influence than the class taught, and fits one for better work and a wider sphere through life. We get more than we give, and that which we undertake as a sacrifice comes to be a special source of blessing. While pupils are under obligations to the teacher, the teacher is under still higher obligations to the pupils.

There is blessing also in the teaching. When thus brought into living contact with the Word, and your ear is opened to hear the divine voice, you are filled with a longing to tell others of these things, and teaching is but giving utterance to the revelation of God’s Word to your own soul; it is only drawing aside the veil that his riches may be seen. Teaching is not simply asking questions. The substance of the lesson must be opened up and brought into sight. There must be something imparted to interest and awaken the mind. Acquaintance with the lesson gives confidence and courage. The tejicher cannot give what he has not got. But the soul, glowing under the power of the truth, is able to send it forth and awaken the same interest. Teacher and class discoursing together as they turn their Bibles, comparing one passage with another, one reading a verse aloud, another asking a question, another still suggesting a practical thought, the teacher meanwhile gathering up the main points of the lesson, and guiding the thoughts of the class into spiritual channels; the moments are precious, and the hour is gone too quickly. Few joys are greater than that of the teacher who,. first taught of God, gives to others what he has received. Then again the teacher is brought into close personal sympathy with the class; he feels a responsibility for their individual welfare. He sits down by them. He learns their needs and difficulties, and enters into their yearnings for the better life, and by loving counsel leads them on higher. The teacher is thus a spiritual leader and guide. Pleasant are the friendships formed between teacher and pupils, — friendships that will continue through eternity. A blessing comes too, in results. The truth searches the conscience and makes it tender and receptive; Christ comes near with his comforts and helps; light breaks in and cheer to troubled souls; burdens fall; heavenly things seem real, and the dew of Christ’s love is distilled, and the ice melts from cold hearts. Many testify of the good they find in Bible study. This is one of the most restful hours I have in the week.’’ The Bible comes to be a new book.” There is nothing that pays back such rich rewards as the study of the Word.” ’What a wonderful Book this is!” “I never regret the time I spend in Bible study; it helps me all the week.” A special joy comes to the teacher who is permitted to see the members of his class coming to Christ. What an incentive this is to faithful teaching! We may not forget that we are dealing with immortal souls, susceptible to the power of the Holy Spirit. The truth we teach is God’s truth, not ours. What faith we may have in it Weakness ourselves, the Word is power.

There is a blessing in the memories. Who does not recall his first Sunday-school class? Vividly those bii^t faces come up before you now, though years have passed since they gathered round you. After months of patient toil you saw in one and another the seed taking root, and you had the joy of gathering the fruit into the fold. You recall hours when a thoughtful silence rested upon the class. A gentleness in manner, a subdued expression on their faces, and here and there a moistened eye told you the Holy Spirit was near sealing the truth. Your soul yearned for them. You trembled as you realized the issues of that hour. You breathed a silent prayer for wisdom and help to lead them to Christ. The joyous privilege was yours, and the memory of it will abide forever. Here is treasure laid up.