The Value of Enthusiasm

“…not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

Someone has said that a bumble bee’s stinger is only one sixteenth of an inch long—the rest of what you feel is enthusiasm. The thesaurus indicates that the word “enthusiasm” is related to words like “passion,” “zeal,” “fervor” and “eagerness.” The opposite of enthusiasm would be apathy. The Dictionary defines “Enthusiasm” as “passionate interest in or eagerness to do something.” The Bible uses the words “fervent in spirit” to describe a believer’s zeal for the work of the Lord. Is enthusiasm really that important for a Sunday School Teacher?
Imagine going out for the football team and before the first practice the coach calls you over for a little speech:

Okay, gang; there is something I need to tell you all. All of our seniors have graduated last year, leaving us with nothing but you rookies. Our schedule is the worst we have ever faced. I doubt we can score this year, much less win a game. Our uniforms have holes in them and because of budget cuts, you all have to wear last year’s hand me downs. Don’t expect any encouragement from the band, either. The conductor is refusing to lead the band because he feels football is too violent a sport. Our cheerleaders can’t cheer, our pep rallies have no pep, our water boy ran out of water and our boosters have all quit. I wouldn’t blame you if you all walked out that door; in fact, I might be quitting soon myself. But thanks for coming out for the team. Now let’s get out there in the 90 degree heat and practice!

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Would you be any more thrilled about going to a church without sensing passion and zeal there for the things of God? How would you feel about visiting a Sunday School class with a teacher who started off the lesson with this:

Well, gang; I didn’t have time to prepare this week so I can’t give you any interesting background for the text. I have not looked for good illustrations or prepared any class activities. In fact I’m not even sure what the text is. Good thing I have this quarterly I can read out of. We aren’t going to sing anything today because Jane is mad at me just because I criticized the Pastor in class last week. I’m not sure why she is so thin-skinned. She should be more mature and understand the value of a rebuke, even if her husband is part of our lazy Deacon Body. We have some doughnuts left over from last week if anyone wants them. By the way, you all will need to go in with the Mixed 2 class for the next four weeks while I’m away on a hunting trip. After that, I might be quitting anyway. It’s just too frustrating teaching a class that doesn’t have any zeal for the Lord. Now, let me start reading this quarterly even though it’s hardly worth the paper it is written on and I’m a lot more spiritual than those LifeWay writers are anyway.

Yes, enthusiasm is important, even vital, for the great work God has called us to do. It isn’t something that can be faked—you know it when a teacher has it—or doesn’t! Romans 12:11 commands us to be fervent in spirit, so we know that all Christians are capable of such zeal. If it is lacking, we must ask God to supply it. Blessed is the Sunday School class that has a teacher who has enthusiasm for the lesson as well as the ministry of the class. Boredom is not an option!