Learning from the far-reaching spiritual impact of one Sunday School teacher

Do you ever wonder the secrets of those who are mightily used by God?

‘Her devotional hour was not a routine, nor a discipline born of fear or habit. She opened her Bible with eager anticipation in sacred silence of personal fellowship with God.’ She stood in front of the university college group with intentions of only being the short-term interim Sunday School teacher. David Cowie, a student, remembers his first experience with her. He said: ‘Not only do I remember the pink silk dress and the pink picture hat with white roses, but I remember her lesson verbatim.’

Exuberant enthusiasm for Jesus

Henrietta Mears began working at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood in 1928 and enjoyed 35 years of prosperous ministry. It is said she loved her students into the kingdom through her engaging personality, ‘unbridled enthusiasm’, and robust theology. Henrietta said: ‘A true Christian’s enthusiasm for the Lord Jesus Christ should be so exuberant that it would be far more likely to set others on fire than to be extinguished by worldly influences.’ Humble affections surged out of Henrietta with force and beauty like a gushing Spring waterfall. In The Religious Affections, Jonathan Edwards eloquently describes the effect of Christ’s affections. He writes: ‘Gracious affections go to the very bottom of the heart and take hold of the very inmost springs of life and activity.’