Teacher Training Lesson Two

Phil Benedict

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

United Indian Mission

Greeley, Colorado

Teaching is a high calling. Teachers have an influence on the lives of those we teach. We can help another person to have a productive walk with God. We can be part of their becoming an effective servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do that, we will enjoy the rewards for an eternity.

When we teach in a responsible manner, God will use us to help others to grow. However, it should be noted that not all will respond in spiritual growth. There are some who start with a commitment to serve the Lord but drop out along the way. We know that will happen. You can be the best teacher possible and do everything right and there will still be some who drop out. In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus teaches the parable of the sower. In this parable it is clearly taught that some will drop out. However, it also teaches that some will become faithful servants and be productive in their walk with God.

Without any real encouragement or personal discipleship most who make a profession of faith will drop out. However, with good discipleship and good teaching a greater number will stay with it.

The question that we want to answer today is what makes an effective teacher. What does it take to lead a student to grow and become productive in his walk with God.

In this lesson we are going to cover six things that are very important to be an effective teacher.

In lesson one we covered the absolute necessity of teaching the Word of God. The whole purpose of teaching is to equip people to do the work of God. (Ephesians 4:11-12). Knowing and practicing the Word of God equips us to do the work of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The following diagrams are an attempt to illustrate how a accurate understanding of the Word of God can result in a Godly way of life and service. Look at them very carefully. These diagrams are not perfect, but they give us some ideas of how Biblical truth leads to productive service. The opposite truth is that inaccurate understanding leads to unproductive service. What we as teachers need to learn from all this is that we need to accurately teach the Word.

Being a good teacher takes effort on our part. To teach accurately we need to accurately understand the Word ourselves. There needs to be some depth to our teaching. Even children can learn Biblical truth that will guide them from day to day.

As we stated earlier in this lesson, you may be the best of teachers and teach the Word very accurately and there will still be some who do not respond. However, that is not a reason to be a sloppy Bible teacher. The ones who will grow cannot grow unless they correctly understand the Word. It is also certain that those who sincerely want to grow will not have solid growth unless they do correctly understand the Word.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3

It would be hard to overstate the importance of love in the life of a teacher. According to the verses quoted above, if we have no love, we will accomplish nothing. We may appear to be doing a good job but in reality we are doing little or nothing of value.

If we were to make an honest evaluation of ourselves and conclude that we really don’t have much love, then what should we do? Before we decide to quit, here are some suggestions to follow.

1. Remember that Biblical love is not necessarily an emotional feeling. It is a healthy commitment to give of yourself to meet someone’s needs in a Biblical way.

2. Confess the lack of love to God. God commands us to have love—even for our enemies.

3. Ask God to give you a love for your students.

4. Begin to regularly pray for your students.

5. Make an effort to get to know your students better. When we get to know a person and the struggles and difficulties he faces, often it is hard not to love them.

6. Find out what an individual’s needs are, and do what you can to meet those needs.

There are times when we do need to change who we work with. Not every person is gifted by God to teach in every situation. We need to be where God has gifted us to serve.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned... Titus 2:7-8a

Paul tells Timothy to "...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity". 1 Timothy 4:12

Paul tell the Corinthians to "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Peter 5:3

The Scriptures above all stress the importance of being an example.

One of the greatest needs in Bible believing and teaching churches today is role models or examples of lives committed to following the Lord Jesus Christ. People need to be shown how to live, not just told.

It is highly doubtful that we will ever lead another individual to a higher spiritual plane than we ourselves are living. We, as teachers, need to make being a good follower of the Lord Jesus Christ the most important thing in our lives.

The purpose of teaching is to encourage spiritual growth in the lives of our students. This is a spiritual battle. To be effective we need the Spirit of God to work in us and in the lives of our students. A vital part of winning this battle is prayer. God responds to the prayers of his people. If we do not pray, it is doubtful that we will win any victories in our service to the Lord. If we are to see good things happen in our teaching ministry, there must be prayer. We must all commit to regularly praying for our own selves and for our students.

This is very important. It will be the topic of the next lesson.

Teaching is a both a natural and a learned skill. Some people are "natural born" gifted teachers. Others have to learn to be effective teachers. In either case, we should never quit learning to be a better teacher. We can get better at communicating. We can always learn new techniques and methods of teaching.

As teachers of the Word of God, we have a tremendous responsibility. We should want to be as effective as we can possibly be. Actively seek to be a better teacher. Go to classes that are offered. Experiment in your classroom on ways to effectively teach a truth.

Remember the ultimate test of teaching is if your students put into practice what is being taught. It is not enough to have head knowledge alone. That knowledge must be practiced in life. Look for ways to accomplish this.

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September, 2003