A Bible teacher prepared his lesson on Saturday evening. He read the passage, checked his notes, and arranged a few questions he hoped would help his class understand it.

Sunday morning, only one student came.

The teacher felt the disappointment as he looked at the empty chairs. He considered shortening the lesson. Instead, he opened his Bible and gave that one student the attention he had prepared to give the whole room.

Afterward, the student lingered. There was something in the passage he wanted to discuss—a decision he had been avoiding.

The teacher pulled up a chair.

Next Saturday, he prepared again. He still did not know how many people would come. He knew there would be a lesson ready for whoever did.

Meaning

Discouragement often begins when we measure faithful service by the response we can immediately count.

Paul tells believers to persevere in doing good and to use their opportunities to serve others. His harvest language points toward everlasting life; it gives no guarantee of crowded classrooms or visible success on our timetable. Galatians 6:7–10.

Supporting Scripture: Galatians 6:7–10; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

KEEP PREPARING THE LESSON; THE PERSON BEFORE YOU IS WORTH YOUR FAITHFULNESS.