Article May 17, 1941 Issue

Feeding the Lambs

JEAN ELSIE SANDERS

When our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, spoke of the "holiness and purification of thought and deed, which alone can fit us for the office of spiritual teaching" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 595), she established divine standards for Sunday school teachers. Mrs. Eddy also included wise specifications in the Manual of The Mother Church concerning this instruction; and she wrote in her textbook one chapter on "Teaching Christian Science," much of which is distinctly applicable to Sunday school work.

While each class necessarily presents an individual demonstration for the teacher, certain common problems often arise.

Frequently a new teacher is tempted to inquire into the methods of other teachers whose work has been successful. But the attempt to pattern one's own work after that of someone else is generally a failure, because it is resorting to means other than consecrated prayer for direction. Also, the methods of another teacher may have been designed for his particular group, and one's own class may be composed of children who are not yet ready for such work and would not profit by it, however interesting it might be. Sunday school teaching is an individual demonstration which gains true inspiration in the still watches of humble prayer and devotion. Only God can reveal the way clearly. We may learn from other workers, but depending merely upon persons for guidance is a poor makeshift, when we have such a vast source as God to draw upon.

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