Study the Lesson by William Clarence White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 4, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 22.

Study the Lesson.

By William Clarence White

EACH teacher will find some in his class who do not know how to study. It is the teacher's duty, not only to encourage his scholars in diligent study, but to help them in the best methods of study. I think I hear some teacher say, I have not enjoyed the opportunity of acquiring the best methods of study myself, and how can I teach others? It is not too late to learn. Let superintendent and teachers counsel together. If you have no regular teachers' meeting where such matters are discussed, call a special meeting, and compare ideas. Get the best books within your reach, and make the most of every opportunity to acquire the best habits of study yourself, and you will receive a blessing in imparting what you have learned to the members of your class.

Where there are a number in one family studying the same lesson, they are a great help to each other. We have seen the study of the Sabbath-school lesson conducted in some families on this wise: On Sabbath afternoon all united in a thorough study of the lesson; one asked the questions, giving the references; while others found the references, read them, asked questions, and expressed their opinions; and by a comparison of thoughts and ideas they brought out the points of the lesson more perfectly than one could have done alone. At the commencement of the Sabbath, the family reviewed the lesson, and then the verses that were to be memorized were taken up one by one, and repeated by each member of the family. Some one will ask, Was not this tiresome? No. Thorough study seldom becomes tiresome; it is the superficial, hurried study that is tiresome; it is this that wearies us, and leads us to dislike the subject; usually the more thoroughly we study the subject, the better we like it. The different texts to be memorized may be apportioned to the different days of the week; and at the time of morning prayer, or at the breakfast table, the verses for that day may be the subject of conversation.

No doubt there are some young persons in the senior class who are not able to understand all the arguments. We think that when they were classified, it was taken into account that they would soon reach the years of maturity, when they would be forced into positions where a knowledge of these truths is extremely essential, and that they might never have another opportunity as good as this to become acquainted with these doctrines.

We advise that there be no hasty action in making a change with such. But if there are those who cannot master the greater part of the lesson, it would be better for them to join classes studying the life of Christ.

With courage, perseverance, and the blessing of God, we can accomplish many things which at first look to be impossible. We should ever bear in mind that there is always near us an unseen enemy who will do all in his power to discourage us in any attempt at either mental or spiritual improvement; and every Sabbath-school teacher will have many a battle with the tempter, who stands whispering, "You can't do it, you can't do it." We can do wonders by the help of God, and we can encourage the members of our classes to do much more than they think they can. Of all that great host that left Egypt for Canaan, there were but two that ever reached the promised land, and those were the men who said, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it."

As teachers we ought to take courage, talk courage, and pray for courage; and the God of all grace, who has given us this precious truth, will help us to understand it.—W. C. W., in Sabbath-School Worker.