Stick to the Lesson by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12.

Stick to the Lesson.

By W. N. Glenn

It is impossible to consider all of the Bible in a half hour, or even all that might be gathered from it upon any one subject. The time was when Bible-classes were wont to commence the lesson with some specified chapter, and from that ramble promiscuously through the Scriptures, as the curiosity of the class or the disposition of the leader to display his erudition might dictate. In fact, members of the class asked most of the questions, and the leader did his best to answer them. He was necessarily obliged, especially if a minister, to give some answer, whether correct or not, in order to save his credit. The individual who could corner the leader with some hard question, whether it contained any sense or not, deemed himself a champion, and hardly thought it worth while to attend Bible-class any more, excepting perhaps occasionally, for the purpose of creating a sensation.

But, as no one ever dreamed that any other branch of knowledge could be either taught or acquired in this random manner, it at last became apparent that the study of the Bible was not an exception to the general rule. If even the simplest branches, the mere primary elements, of education can only be comprehended a little at a time, and in systematized lessons, surely the mind of man cannot be made to grasp the great truths of the Scriptures by superficial wanderings from one subject to another.

In order to understand this word, there must first be such a love of the truth that the Holy Spirit's aid may be invoked; for "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14. Then, there must be earnest, prayerful, systematic study. Why is it that so many have read the Bible for years, and yet know so little about it? Why is it the testimony of so many that, as they read it in the light of what we call "present truth," it appears to them like a new book? Those who have experienced the change know the reason. They earnestly sought to know the truth for the purpose of obeying it; they sought it out one subject at a time, and the Spirit of God, through the recognized aids, helped the inquiring mind.

The lessons for the various departments of our Sabbath-schools have been arranged by experienced educators, and are designed to impart thorough instruction in the Scriptures. These lessons are based upon the principle that a little well learned is better than a mere smattering of many parts to no practical purpose. There is always enough in the lesson, if well studied, to occupy the time allotted to the recitation. No practical educator ever deems it wise to go outside of the legitimate scope of the lesson; but, on the contrary, strives to fix that in the mind. There is always a tendency to wander from the subject, especially with those who have not well considered the lesson; it would sometimes seem as though an evil influence specially sought out such, in order, through them, to draw away the mind of the class from the things under consideration. The aim should be to stick to the lesson, and with a singleness of purpose learn that, and learn it well.

Some have complained that there is too much repetition in our present "Senior Division" course; that they would rather pass over more subjects. These complaints, however, do not come from those who have the best knowledge of the lesson, but from such as say, "Oh, it's the same subject over again; we've had that before." These, of course, deem but little study necessary. The individual who bestows thought upon the lesson will always find plenty that is interesting and profitable, no matter how often the subject may have been referred to. The Bible is just that kind of a book—the more it is studied, the more there is brought to light. During the past six months there have been but a few subjects presented, and these have been thoroughly emphasized and reviewed; yet how few there are who, with all this repetition, would be able to quote one-half the texts included in the lessons, or even to give the references. Let any one test himself in this way, and see whether he has been too closely confined to any particular subject; or whether he could, even with the Bible in hand, defend these doctrines against an opponent.

It is one thing to be convinced of a truth, and another thing to be able to make use of the evidences of that truth for the benefit of others. No one knows what opportunity may be presented for instructing others—for investing the talents that have been given him in the opportunity to learn these essential lessons. None of us know that we will not some time be cut off from the privileges of study, and be shut up for consolation and edification to that which we may have stored away in the mind. Under such circumstances, those things only will be available which have been impressed upon the mind by earnest study and frequent repetition.

Again, it is claimed by some that it is not necessary to repeat the exact words of the Scripture; that if the substance be given it is sufficient. It is, however, dangerous to trust for Scripture knowledge to an imperfect rendering of the text. One will give it in one form, and another one in another form; and an individual receiving it from these might get an idea quite different from the original. Right here may be found the seeds of much of the misconstruction of Scripture, and of the false ideas regarding Scripture doctrines, now abroad in the world. The only reliable substance of a text is the text itself.

In view of these points, it is important to stick to the lesson. There can be no excuse for departing from it during the lesson hour till all that is in it be known; and this point is not reached until all of it can be repeated, and the references given. It is not expected that every one will be able to do this—perhaps none in some classes—but, I repeat, there is no good reason for any one supposing that he knows it all, and that he ought to turn to something else, until he has in mind the full scope of what has been given for a lesson.

Furthermore, every idea that may be drawn from a given Scripture text may not have a bearing upon the subject in hand. In considering the points of the lesson, the references should, as nearly as possible, only be considered in their bearing upon that subject. Here is the point where wandering is apt to begin. A text is cited which may have relation to several subjects, and there may be a disposition on the part of one to start inquiry in one direction, and another may have a curiosity or a suggestion in some other direction. These should be disposed of in as few words as possible, if they cannot be ignored altogether. We have a good illustration of this, in an instance of our Saviour's teaching. At Nazareth, he went into the synagogue to teach the people. He read a short portion of the prophecy of Isaiah, now known as verses 1 and 2 of chapter 61, from which to draw the lesson he wished to impress upon the minds of his audience. But he stopped reading right in the middle of a sentence, and closed the book. Why did he do this? Because the remainder of the sentence referred to a different matter from that which he desired at that time to teach. He had a certain truth for that occasion, and he made use of the Scripture only to that end, although that which he omitted pertained to a subject of great importance, and which received due attention on more than one occasion. Here is an example of "rightly dividing the word of truth," set by the model Teacher, which all would do well to follow.

W. N. GLENN.