Conference Bible workers do not, as a rule, remain in any one church for a great length of time, and I, for one, have recognized the need of training some of the members in the church with which I am working so that when I am called to another place of labor, there will be some person or persons qualified to carry on my unfinished work. I have found that excellent results follow such training.
Prior to the time the Layman's Bible Training Class work was started in an organized way, I conducted Standard of Attainment classes in several churches, for adults as well as young people, following the plans outlined, using as a textbook "Helps to Bible Study," and taking the lay members out with me as I gave studies in the homes. In one place a sister accompanied me in my work for several weeks, with a view to continuing the studies with the readers who would not be ready for baptism before I had to leave the city. As a result, eight of these readers accepted the truth during the following year.
At another time, a member of the class went to work in his neighborhood, and in a few months' time seven of his readers were ready to be baptized. This brother is continuing this work, and frequently I hear of some new member of the church brought in as a result of his efforts. Other members of the same class are doing good work. At every camp meeting I meet new members who have been won by some former member of one of my Bible Training Classes, and this cheers my heart and makes me more anxious to continue the work of training the lay members.
Conditions are never exactly alike in any two churches, the classes varying in number as well as in—age and environment In one church I conducted two classes, one composed of women ranging in age from twenty-four to forty, and the other composed of men, women, and young people. The first group developed into excellent workers, and good results have followed their efforts; but the mixed group did not do so well, although some of the members became successful workers.
In another church the class was organized with twenty-five members, but we frequently had an attendance of sixty or more, as the class was held on Sabbath afternoons, and many interested people came in. About two years previous to this class organization, a series of public meetings had been held in the city, so I suggested to the members of the class that they endeavor to revive the interest of the people who had attended the meetings, and in a friendly, neighborly way pass on the Bible studies which they were receiving theoretically. Eighteen members of the class developed into active workers, and are conducting Bible studies and cottage meetings. Quite a number of these people are now attending our church services.
I now use as a textbook the volume entitled, "How to Give Bible Studies," supplementing this instruction with pointers from my own experience. I suggest that each member of the class secure at least one set of the leaflets entitled, "Brief Bible Studies for Busy People," and that one of these leaflets be given to the reader at the conclusion of each study. It is important that each member of the class not only take the regular class work, but that he give at least five studies outside the class before receiving the Layman's Bible Training Course Certificate which is furnished by the conference.
It has been my custom to engage in Bible work during the summer, and to teach church school during the winter. When I am to teach in the same city where I have engaged in Bible work during the summer, because of my school work I find it impossible to continue Bible studies with all my readers, and in such a case the Bible Training Class proves to be a successful auxiliary. I take a member of the class with me to call on one of my readers who is interested. After a brief Bible study or visit, I inform my reader of my inability to come as often as formerly, on account of my school work, and suggest that she allow my friend to call once a week and go over the lesson which has been studied in the Bible Training Class, of which my friend is a member. I make clear that one of the requirements of the classwork is the giving of the Bible study to someone who is not a member of the class, and in an informal way suggest that they will enjoy studying together and will be a help to each other.
This suggestion has always met with favor, and sometimes with apparent delight. Most people are happy to be of help to others. Sometimes the member of the class is well acquainted with the person with whom I have been holding readings, and in such a case it may not be necessary for me to arrange for the studies. Then I simply give the name of my reader to the class member, and tell her to call and inform the lady of my inability to visit her as often as usual, and to suggest that they study the weekly Bible lesson together. This simple, informal suggestion has never met with a refusal.
One timid member of a class spoke to his neighbor about the studies he was taking, asking the neighbor if he would be willing to help him study the Bible lesson. The neighbor could not refuse such a courtesy, and as a result of assisting our brother in Bible study, the man and his wife are now interested and attending church services.
A sister became very fearful lest she should be unable to find any person sufficiently interested to grant her time to go over the Bible lesson. She made the matter a subject of prayer, and one day, while in her back yard, she entered into conversation with her neighbor just across the fence. Without any thought of soliciting an appointment for Bible studies, this sister told her neighbor about the Bible class and its requirements, and mentioned that she did not know whom she could find who would be willing to go over the lesson with her each week. What was her surprise when the neighbor said that she would be delighted to study the lessons with her.
There are open doors on every hand, and it is just as important a part of the training to be able to make an appointment for a study as it is to be able to give the study intelligently. The vast field for training lay members for successful Bible work has barely been touched. The conference Bible worker who measures up to her responsibilities will be diligent in training the lay members as well as in instructing people who are seeking for truth.
Anderson, Ind.
