1. Have you ever considered what are some of the essential characteristics of a Godly teacher? Too many teachers are interested in teaching others before they educate themselves. Paul writes, "You who teach others, do you not teach yourself?" Failure of teachers to grow in Christ remains the biggest hindrance to producing Godly teachers. It is important for teachers to continually be growing in their mental, emotional, and spiritual maturities as pupils tend to become like their teachers, according to Jesus. (Luke 6:40) Education is sowing the seeds of knowledge and filling the pockets with treasures of truth that can serve learners for a lifetime of learning. You can teach some by what you say; you teach more by what you do; you teach a great deal by who you are; but you inspire people to Christ-likeness when you speak the truth in love to help them grow in ALL aspects into Christ. (Eph. 4:15) Ask the Lord to help you teach people how to mature mentally, socially, attitudinally and spiritually.
2. Many teachers give into discouragement because they do not see satisfactory results. Paul once wrote, "I trust in the Lord to send Timothy to you, for I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own interests, not the things which are Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:19-21) Teachers should remember that the word of God will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish His purposes." (Isa. 55:11) Ask the Lord to help you sow bountifully with inspirational Biblical instruction so you can reap bountifully.
3. Some teachers refuse to learn the art and science of good communications. There are many filters that a teacher has to transmit truth through to reach the hearts and minds of his listeners. A great teacher is a good communicator. Communicators learn how to present truth in a way that meets mental, emotional, social, attitudinal, physical and spiritual needs. Great teachers have a way of helping their students connect to the power of God by helping them search the scriptures to find answers to their problems. It is always better to teach someone to fish for truth than to hand them pre-packaged lessons. Ask the Lord to help you find ways through students’ cultural, mental, emotional, experiential, personal, relevance, fear, anger, problems, needs, identification, association, relational, or spiritual filters. The best guide to help teachers navigate through student’s filters is the Holy Spirit. Learn to spend much time in prayer asking the Spirit to lead your students in all truth.
4. Some teachers fail to balance their truth with love. Most people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Jesus had a way of communicating a perfect balance of love and truth. Ask the Lord to help you teach with agape love for your students that shows them how much you care and believe in them. Love and trust are essential prerequisites to all types of learning.
5. Some teachers fail to help their students apply truth. Some students learn best when they are applying what they have learned. Help students to learn by giving them supervised opportunities to learn through real life experiences. James teaches us that if people are merely hearers and not doers, they tend to deceive themselves. (James 1:22) Ask the Lord to help you to guide your students to apply all of God’s truth.
6. Some teachers fail to teach truth because they have not considered the perspectives of their listeners. Paul knew that the Jews needed to be confronted about their hypocritical teaching that neglected embodying the truth they taught. Ask the Lord to help you teach with a full understanding of your students’ level of understanding, spiritual maturity and interests. A great teacher knows how to concentrate his ministry to those who are eager to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2) Ask the Lord to help you concentrate your teaching with those who are willing to multiply Christ’s kingdom and righteousness in qualitative and quantitative ways. Teach more for transformation and less for the mere transfer of information.
