The Spirit of prophecy has much to say regarding the part that women are to act in the closing days of the gospel. The woman who is called to fill the important office of Bible instructor must realize that hers is a sacred work; therefore, her life and character must be in keeping with the lofty character of her position. We read in volume 6 of the Testimonies:
"Women may take their places in the work at this crisis, and the Lord will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Spirit of God, they will have just the self-possession required for this time, The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and this will give them a power which will exceed that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed. . .
"God calls for earnest women-workers, workers who are prudent, warm-hearted, tender, and true to principle. He calls for persevering women, who will take their minds from self and their personal convenience, and will center them on Christ, speaking words of truth, praying with the persons to whom they can obtain access, laboring for the conversion of souls."—Pages 117, 118.
What are the qualifications of a Bible instructor? In considering a candidate for this profession, we might well ask, does she have balance, poise, self-control, harmony, good taste, good manners, a pleasing voice, and a deep love for souls? Does she depend upon the power of the written Word for the conversion of souls?
It is of great importance that the doctrines and truths of the Bible should be made paramount in the life of every Bible instructor. It is vitally essential for the instructor to have a clear, comprehensive knowledge of the message, and to know the art of imparting it. How encouraging is the following assurance:
"The success of the gospel message does not depend upon learned speeches, eloquent testimonies, or deep argument. It depends upon the simplicity of the message and its adaptation to the souls that are hungering for the bread of life."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 231.
The Bible instructor should be capable of organizing her plans and field program so as to accomplish the most good. If she lacks organization, it will be interwoven in everything she does. There is a great deal of religion in organized methods. However, one should not become bound by hard and fast rules that are inflexible. Adaptability is one secret of success in dealing with human minds.
The work to which the conference Bible instructor is particularly called is to go from home to home where interest has been aroused, and give a connected line of studies, with the objective in mind that her students will become converts to Christ and His message. She is to assist the pastor or evangelist in every possible way. She should not be called upon to devote too much of her time in running errands and doing church work which should be delegated to the lay members. Many a Bible instructor has become discouraged because her program afforded so little time for actual soul winning.
The question may be asked, Suppose there is no evangelistic effort in operation from which to secure names of interested people, and none are available from other sources, how is the Bible instructor to obtain contacts for Bible studies? No energetic Bible instructor will long be without contacts. If there are no openings, she should make them. This can be accomplished by various methods. For instance, organizing the church to go out with literature from door to door for the purpose of securing appointments for Bible studies. Colporteurs' sales lists are usually good leads, and such names should be capitalized on. Another plan which will prove to be full of possibilities is to encourage representative church members to open their homes for Bible classes, inviting their neighbors, friends, and unconverted relatives. This avenue of endeavor has been demonstrated to be very productive. We have the following statement from the pen of Inspiration :
"I was shown that a great work might be accomplished in bringing souls to the knowledge of the truth, were proper exertions made. In every town, city, and village, there are persons who would embrace the truth if it were brought before them in a judicious manner." —Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 113.
Where there is an aggressive evangelistic campaign in progress, the instructor need not worry about names, of course. What she has to guard against is having so many that she will be unable to do systematic and thorough work with those who are good prospects. The danger is that in covering such a vast scope, the work will not in the final summation result in souls won for the kingdom. Every evangelist will bear witness to the fact that many have been lost to the message because help was not available at the psychological hour.
The Bible instructor should not feel she must have her own program independent of the pastor or the evangelist. There should be a definite understanding relative to the combined policy. However, the plans should have enough elasticity so as to give her some latitude in carrying out her own ideas.
The messenger of the Lord has this to say regarding co-operation:
"The Lord is greatly displeased when His service is dishonored by the selfishness of those engaged in it. He wills that every part of His work shall be in harmony with every other part, joint connecting with joint."Ibid., VOL 7, p. 131.
"His servants are to be one, as Christ is one with the Father ; their powers, illuminated, inspired, and sanctified, must be united to make a complete whole." —Ibid., vol. 8, p. 175.
Closer Co-operation Between Workers
It is a matter of primary importance that more specific effort be made to bring about a better understanding and closer co-operation between the minister and the Bible instructor, in order that each may more fully comprehend the work and position of the other, and thus bring about an effectual combination of services for the salvation of souls.
Methods of Operation. Although it is impossible to lay down fixed inflexible laws by which to govern the methods of operation and the legitimate scope of the Bible instructor, yet there should be at least some uniformity of -standards relative to her work.
This is especially true in regard to the inexperienced young woman who is just entering upon her life's career. She needs the association of the tried, experienced Bible instructor ; or, if this is not feasible, she should have very definite guidance and close supervision from the conference president and the minister with whom she is working. The mold she acquires during her early days in the Bible work will more or less determine her future success.
Due consideration should be given to the capabilities and limitations of the Bible instructor. Aside from her regular work in visiting and studying with interested ones, she may be able to play an important part in the public evangelistic meetings by conducting health classes or giving health talks preceding the regular meeting, as an adjunct to the program of the evening. Such classes or lectures, when properly conducted, have proved greatly to' enhance the work of the evangelist.
A Bible class may be held in which vital topics may be given which will correlate with those already covered by the evangelist, but, of course, approached from a different angle. The Pictured Truth Hour is another avenue of approach to the eye and ear, by which the message can be conveyed. If the Bible instructor is furnished with a projector, and can handle her subject efficiently, then let her use her God-given talent through this channel.
Children's meetings provide another medium by which to reach hearts. If it is found that the Bible instructor can adapt herself to teaching children and is capable of putting on a program that will attract and hold the restless, seething mass of the younger members of society, then her the opportunity, and co-operation in this field of endeavor.
The fact that she is having a part in the public meetings will enable the Bible instructor more readily to find entrance into the homes of the interested ones. Confidence will be established in her standing as an instructor in Christian living. Thus her influence will result in more souls being added to the message. If any of the methods mentioned are undertaken by the Bible instructor, the evangelist should maintain close surveillance to see where improvement can be made, and offer kindly suggestions. It is necessary that perfect co-operation and endorsement be maintained throughout the series.
