To the Bible instructor new in the field as an assistant to a local pastor, the routine life of service may appear hard indeed, as she attempts to orient herself to the many needs she alone can fill. New places, new faces, strange conditions, assume unwonted importance and are sometimes a cause for deep concern—almost to the point of heartbreak. The job looks suddenly too big!
She will learn to reason from cause to effect, however, and will naturally withdraw from the more alluring social aspects of local church life, when duty calls. She will find deep pleasure in her choice of conducting a cottage meeting on a Saturday night, if that night is more convenient for her readers, in preference to attending a Y.P.M.V. social.
To form many friendships, deep, warm, and sincere, and yet develop no special attachments, is one of the greatest tests of self-control in social relations. It requires great tact, and more than human wisdom, but the Bible instructor should excel in this.
She will meet the unlovely, as well as the charming, and will endeavor to make every contact count for Jesus. He it was who sent her forth to minister. If the object of her ministry be unlovable and uncouth, then Jesus, upon request, will give her of His love to love with, until "beholding" how He does it, the Bible instructor becomes "changed"—a true channel through which His love can flow to others.
The Bible instructor is never to "withhold" her hand; can she know "whether shall prosper, either this or that?" "Whosoever" came to Jesus He accepted and ministered to his need. So is the Bible instructor to labor—beside all waters.
Her ministry is for church members as well, those who come to her for counsel. It may be there are those in good and regular standing who have disturbing problems arising at times. They may be of such a personal nature as to require the advice of a woman long in the way, a deeply spiritual woman. This, too, is a field in which the instructor must qualify.
The pastor's assistant will attempt to fill in where she sees an opportunity for service—where she may lighten his work, and without undue authority promote peace and harmony in the fellowship of members. But she must never take the responsibility of assuming the office of moderator in disputes, or questions arising from differences of opinion in doctrinal matters. She will never appear to be unsympathetic or differ publicly with the pastor, though she may hold views in vital points of doctrine contrary to those he expounds. If so, let her ask him privately for an explanation of his seeming discrepancies.
The Bible instructor should remember at all times, that she is the pastor's assistant, not his mentor. And let her not be quick to give him counsel, though she may frequently observe his dire need of it. She will do well to pray for him often and earnestly, asking God to give him the counsel he so apparently needs. Perhaps the Lord will send him to her for advice!
I know of no profession so profoundly adapted to Paul's admonition in Romans 12:7 as that of the Bible instructor : "Let us Wait on our ministering." The demand for women of culture and poise in Bible work is second only to the need of teachers who "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: . . . shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Titus 2 :I, to. Marion Lawrance, in his book Building Better Sabbath Schools, says, "The most effective teaching is done when the teacher does not know that he is teaching."
The Bible instructor is always out front, always on parade; she has not off-the-record moments. The secret of doing her heavy and important work well is found in her constant hold upon Jesus--looking to Him, trusting in Him, calling upon Him, relying upon His grace for her sufficiency. Thus, as she "studies to shew" herself "approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," the Bible instructor will be able to instruct "those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."
