Our teachers need to be constant learners. The reformers need to be themselves reformed, not only in their methods of labor, but in their own hearts. They need to be transformed by the grace of God. When Nicodemus, a great teacher in Israel, came to Jesus, the Master laid before him the conditions of divine life, teaching him the very alphabet of conversion. Nicodemus asked: “How can these things be?” “Art thou a master of Israel,” Christ answered, “and knowest not these things?” This question might be addressed to many who are now holding positions as teachers, but who have neglected the preparation essential to qualify them for this work. If Christ’s words were received into the soul there would be a much higher intelligence and a much deeper spiritual knowledge of what constitutes a disciple, a sincere follower of Christ, and an educator whom He can approve. {6T 154.2}

Vore lærere behøver til stadighed selv at lære. Reformatorerne trænger selv til at reformeres, ikke blot i deres arbejdsmetoder, men i deres egne hjerter. De trænger til at forvandles ved Guds nåde. Da Nikodemus, en stor lærer i Israel, kom til Jesus, viste Mesteren ham betingelserne for et guddommeligt liv, lærte ham selve omvendelsens ABC. Nikodemus spurgte: »Hvordan kan dette ske?« »Er du lærer i Israel og forstår ikke dette?« svarede (155) Kristus. Dette spørgsmål kunne rettes til mange, som nu beklæder stillinger som lærere, men som har forsømt den væsentlige forberedelse, der skulle gøre dem skikkede til denne gerning. Hvis Kristi ord fik indpas i sjælen, ville man se en langt højere intelligens og en meget dybere åndelig erkendelse af, hvad det vil sige at være en discipel, en oprigtig Kristi efterfølger og en lærer, som nyder hans bifald.