The most eminent authority in Bible teaching is Jesus, the Master Teacher. Since He commissioned human agents to continue His work in this land of the enemy, it is imperative that those who assume this responsibility become familiar with His way of teaching.
Christ's design in leaving heaven and taking up His abode on earth was "to seek and to save that which was lost." Sin, which had obscured man's spiritual vision and debased him, was accountable for the lack of spiritual knowledge which brought captivity and death to His people. (Isa. 5 :13 : Hosea 4:6.) Jesus began by restoring spiritual knowledge. He knew and believed the Old Testament. "It is written" was the highest authority with Him. "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures." The redemption of mankind was His definite, clear-cut objective in everything that He taught, whether it was a lesson drawn from the Old Testament or a spiritual lesson drawn from nature and the casual incidents of life about Him.
It has been said that "teaching in the simplest sense is the communication of experience." This could truly be said in relation to Jesus, for He lived what He taught. The first essential step in Bible work is consecration of the worker. "The same devotion, the same consecration, the same subjection to the claims of the word of God, that were manifest in Christ, must be seen in His servants." —"Gospel Workers," p. III. The Holy Spirit abides with the consecrated worker for God. It is the Spirit that gives the worker power. (Acts 1 :8.) A fresh baptism of the Spirit is needed daily. We are in great need of the heavenly influence, God's Holy Spirit, to give power and efficiency to our work.
We shall now consider several objectives of the Bible worker, all of which culminate in the ultimate objective—the saving of souls. Following are some methods of obtaining these objectives.
1. Communication of Spiritual Knowledge
Let us assume that a Bible worker is beginning work with a reader or group of readers who are not attending a series of meetings.
She has privately prayed that the Holy Spirit would be present on this occasion. She has studied until she knows much more on the subject than she intends to teach. She may have decided to consider "The Word of God," or the "Second Coming of Christ," "Daniel 2," or some other subject for the first lesson.
But there may be someone in the class who wants a study on baptism, or the state of the dead. If so, she should present the subject requested, though she may not have especially prepared for this subject. Had the class desired that the first study be on "The Change of the Sabbath" or "The Mark of the Beast," the Bible teacher could not have consented. While she .may have been prepared to teach on either of these points, the class was not ready for it. Teaching such a subject first would be like trying to put the shingles on a roof before the house is built.
The Holy Spirit will assist the worker by bringing to her remembrance what she has read. She should make the study so interesting that the readers will not want her to stop at the close of the first forty-five minutes. However, she should not yield to pleadings, but should withdraw while the interest is high, and promise to come back next week at the same time, or any time decided on.
If a question is injected into her study that cannot be answered, she should refer the class to Deuteronomy 29:29. If the question can be answered from the Bible, but the Bible worker cannot recall the text, she should tell them without embarrassment, "We'll look it up." Never should she assume a "know-it-all" attitude. A tract or a Present Truth or some literature on the subject that was presented should be left.
When the class begins to study, each should be requested to put a bookmark between the Old and the New Testament. Each should take down the texts the, teacher uses. Too many texts should not be given, as this confuses and wearies. The worker should keep to her subject throughout her study. Christ should be presented in every lesson whether the subject is "Modern Babylon," "The Mark of the Beast," or "The United States in Prophecy." There is not a subject in the Bible that does not reveal Jesus when rightly presented. He revealed, the Father in all that He taught and did, and we are to reveal Him to a world that rejected Him. A reader should never be embarrassed. Criticism of other denominations should be avoided. A teacher should reveal what the Bible says. Let the Bible do the criticizing instead of the Bible worker. (Heb. 4:12.)
2. Stimulating Religious Thought
Today people in general follow the crowds. They do not think for themselves. They imitate instead of meditate. The Christian teacher must present the Bible with the object of inducing thought along religious lines, thus overcoming the apathy and indifference that prevails on all sides. Jesus provoked thinking by asking a thought-compelling question occasionally: "What think ye?" "Whose is this image and superscription?" "But whom say ye that I . . . am ?" These questions startled them into thinking. Bible workers can profit by following Christ's example in this.
Review is another way to set people to thinking. Every teacher should review, and review again. If the reader knows that he may be called upon to answer, he will try to remember and to think. It is also an encouragement to the reader to be able to answer questions.
3. Gaining the Final Decision
Decision in behalf of truths that have been presented is the goal for which the Bible worker has aimed since the first lesson. The momentous moment arrives when the decision that involves eternal consequences must be made. If the reader hesitates, more prayer and more study are needed. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. It is the Bible worker's duty to present the Scripture. Such texts as Matthew 5:19, Proverbs 28:9, and Samuel 15:22 may be used to bring to decision. Experiences from the Bible, such as those found in Genesis 12:4; 22:1-3; I Kings i8: 21; 2 Kings 5:14; Acts 8:28, 29; Acts 9:18, may be produced.
If the reader still procrastinates, some of the lessons that have been given may be reviewed. Sometimes the importance of what has been presented is not appreciated or comprehended with one series of lessons. We knew a woman who went through a whole series of studies with a Bible worker, without showing any inclination to accept the message given. She enjoyed the studies, and did not want the worker to cease her visits, but she did. Later when a tenant moved into one of her apartments, this woman called the Bible worker to come and give studies to the new tenant. The worker complied with the request. This woman was present at every study, and at the close of this second series of studies, she accepted the message wholeheartedly, was baptized, and cheerfully participated in churcr activities for years. When she moved to California, the church felt that a real pillar in the church had been lost.
A review of all the lessons induced this sister to take her stand. We have known many others who had to take time to think it through. The Bible message for today means so much. It changes every phase of living, and sometimes results in severe trials. We must not give up those who hesitate.
4. Development of Christian Character
The Bible worker's responsibility does not end when the reader decides for Christ. New converts may be compared to the newborn babe of which Peter speaks. They must continue to be nourished with spiritual food. Decision to identify oneself with God's commandment-keeping people and be baptized may bring new trials and even bitter persecution. New converts need the counsel and prayers of the faithful Bible teacher, who should visit them often, and if possible give them a Bible study at every visit. If they have access to a church, they should be encouraged to attend regularly, also to become members of the Sabbath school, and take part in as many activities of the church as possible. If they are isolated, they should join the conference church and the home department of the Sabbath school. The Review and Herald should become a weekly visitor in the home. If the Bible worker cannot visit them, she should write encouraging and helpful letters, and continue to pray for them. Eternity will be none too long to enjoy the friendship of the dear ones for whom we have labored here.
