Joe Hale must be ranked...
Illustration
Joe Hale must be ranked as, technically, one of the worst Sunday school teachers ever
recruited. Of course, it was not easy to get a volunteer to face our boys' fourth grade
class. We were notorious.
Joe was not only at least seventy years old, but he believed education is at its best when the teacher talks and the students sit and listen. Sitting still and listening intently were skills not generally practiced by our class. In addition, Joe tended to deliver his Bible lectures with his eyes closed! The first Sunday Joe taught our class, we left thinking the relationship was not going to take.
How wrong we were. Joe Hale was such a saintly man, all ten hyperactive ten-year-olds fell in love with him. Nearly four decades later, I can remember not only the experience of having him as my teacher, I can recall some of the things he said.
Like David, son of Jesse, Joe Hale's last words could be summarized by saying, "The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me...."
Joe was not only at least seventy years old, but he believed education is at its best when the teacher talks and the students sit and listen. Sitting still and listening intently were skills not generally practiced by our class. In addition, Joe tended to deliver his Bible lectures with his eyes closed! The first Sunday Joe taught our class, we left thinking the relationship was not going to take.
How wrong we were. Joe Hale was such a saintly man, all ten hyperactive ten-year-olds fell in love with him. Nearly four decades later, I can remember not only the experience of having him as my teacher, I can recall some of the things he said.
Like David, son of Jesse, Joe Hale's last words could be summarized by saying, "The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me...."
