Bible Instructor's Place in the Church
by A.G. Stewart
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When a Bible instructor arrives in a certain locality to labor, the local church in that place is her church. It is the center of her interest and the object of her greatest care. From the first she co-operates with the pastor—if the church is so blessed as to have a pastor—and with the elder and other officers. She holds no church office, for the talent of the lay members should be utilized in this work. She labors to promote every 'department of the work of the church, always leading the members in pathways of Christian- service. "But now are they many members, yet but one body." "Now are ye the body of Christ." 1 Cor. 12:20, 27.
The Bible instructor will find it profitable to teach an adult class in the Sabbath school. Soon some of her Bible students will be attending the Sabbath school, and it will be well for her to be their teacher.
If there is no resident pastor the Bible instructor will be asked to take the Sabbath church service occasionally. This responsibility may come very unexpectedly, late Friday evening or even Sabbath morning. So the worker must always have a subject in readiness. With consecration, prevailing prayer, and preparation, the Lord will bless the service and make it a success in feeding the flock.
The prayer meeting is the Bible instructor's golden opportunity. It is ' the very life of the church. Here the members may be led in a labor of love and prayer for the salvation of souls.
"Why do not believers feel a deeper, more earnest concern for those who are out of Christ? Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then for still another? In our churches let companies be formed for service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the corruption of the world into the saving purity of Christ's love."—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 21.
' Recently the name of one of our new Sabbath-keepers was presented to the members at prayer meeting for special prayer. Within a few days this woman arid her husband decided to sell their household goods and move to California. We had labored for this family for months, and the wife, though keeping the Sabbath, had not been baptized. The church members were praying, although they knew nothing of the sudden decision to move. The Lord laid His hand over their plans so the family did not go, and they are still receiving Bible studies.
This is only one example of the blessings 'of prevailing prayer on the part of sincere Christian church members. Leading a church in missionary endeavor should be the Bible instructor's fort. In this way a burden for souls is laid upon the hearts of the people, and a spirit of harmony and love is brought into the church. When the older members have a definite part in bringing new ones into the church, they are welcomed and loved by the church. All feel a responsibility to live a Christ-like life before the new members, because they helped to bring them in. Thus the Bible instructor has the full confidence of the church in her work.
It is a good plan to conduct a class once a week in the art of giving Bible studies. Those best prepared may be encouraged to start out giving studies. Some may be asked to go each week to the home of a new Sabbathkeeper to study the Sabbath school lesson for the coming Sabbath.
As time permits, a brief visit to the homes of the members is in order. The fragrance of a godly life and a word of prayer at parting will do them good. Then there are the shut-ins who always appreciate a visit from the Bible instructor. The Lord says, "Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." They will delight to hear news of the progress of the work of God in all the world, and especially in their home church. Enlist their prayers for certain ones for whom you labor.
The Bible instructor's chief labor is, of course, for those not of our faith, that they may be brought into the fold of the remnant church of God. It is her duty to see that they are rooted and grounded in the truth, that they may be a help and not a hindrance to the church of which they become members. All these duties, together with her hours of prayer and preparation, bring full days indeed. But walking daily with God, she shall find her days are as the "days of heaven upon the earth."