10 lessons I’ve learned as a Bible teacher
I’ve been teaching a million years, and you want me to boil everything down to ten lessons?
Me: IMPOSSIBLE!
Alter Ego: Give it a shot.
Me: THERE’S NO WAY!
Alter Ego: Pretend it’s an assignment from your editor.
Me: I CAN’T!
Alter Ego: You can, and you will!
Me: Settle down.
Alter Ego: You settle down!
Me: How about a compromise?
Alter Ego: Explain.
Me: I’ll start with my top ten.
Alter Ego: Wasn’t that the plan?
Me: Yes, but if I have more to say, I get to write a second blog. Deal?
Alter Ego: Deal?
Me: Are your fingers crossed?
As a former homeschool teacher, I had many conversations with myself, but it wasn’t until I saw the following meme that I fully embraced such dialogue.
Alter Ego: Let’s get started!
Me: Who put you in charge?
Alter Ego: Do you need another pep talk?
Me: NOOOOooooo!!!!!
Lesson Number One: “I will teach one. I will teach one hundred.”
This is something my mentor, Skip, taught me many, many years ago. My goal should always be to teach those the Lord has given me to teach. When it becomes about the numbers, I must look carefully at my ‘why’ (aka: motive), as pride has a way of sneaking into good intentions.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. - Hebrews 12:1-3
I’ve taught at a women’s shelter every Thursday for a very long time. To get to the classroom, I walk through a large room where homeless women and children hang out throughout the day. On this particular day, I turned around when I got to the door, raised my voice, and said something like, “Bible study is starting in a few minutes. The topic is Please join me.”
I went in the room and wrote something on the board. I arranged my Bible, lesson plan, and other materials needed for class on my ‘stuff’ table. No one came in. I started to get a little peeved. I had company coming that weekend and a million things to do to prepare. In other words, I didn’t have this time to waste.
After a few minutes the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that I could spend time with Him. So, I sat, opened my Bible, and tried to focus. Fifteen minutes later, a young mom, Jade, and her 4-year-old daughter, Sophia, came into the room. Jade asked shyly if I was having class. I assured her I was and joked that it would be a one-on-one session. She smiled and sat down at the table across from me. As we talked, Sophia wouldn’t sit still. Jade got frustrated and tried to discipline with harsh words and controlling actions. Though the child willingly obeyed, it didn’t last. Eventually, I asked if she could come sit with me. We continued our conversation, but I stopped every now and then to give Sophia a new direction. For example, “Draw me a picture of you and your mommy.” Or “Trace these letters that spell your name.”
By the end of our time together, not only had I been able teach young Jade a few things about child-rearing, but I also was able to share the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation.
What’s my point? The ONE God had for me that morning was far more significant than filling every seat or getting my errands started. Thank you, Holy Spirit!
Lesson Number Two: Keep your eye on the prize
Whatever our giftings, we must remember they are given to us by God for God. Therefore, when I teach, I do so with two goals in mind:
I teach to glorify God.
I teach to point others to Jesus.
Lesson Number Three: I don’t have to know everything about everything to be able to teach effectively
In fact, on many occasions I’ve learned a subject to teach that subject. As a young teacher, it used to bother me when someone would casually quote from George Bernad Shaw’s 1905 play, Man and Superman, “Those who can do; those who can’t teach.” It made me question myself.
With time and, more importantly, the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, I began to realize I was gifted to teach. That was how God made me and would use me to encourage others on their journeys toward Him. This was true both as a schoolteacher and a Bible teacher.
Schoolteacher: Thomas Edison was an amazing innovator who changed the world. BUT I don’t need to fully grasp the innerworkings of Edison’s inventions to teach students about the inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. Simply put, my job is to impart knowledge on young minds with the hope of challenging them to become whatever it is they are meant to be.
Bible teacher: We know Jesus Christ came to earth in human form to bring the Kingdom of God to mankind. Until that time, the message of the Gospel had been a mystery. According to 1 Corinthians 13:9, we still only know “in part.” Therefore, I don’t need to fully grasp the innerworkings of my OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, AND SOVEREIGN CREATOR’S mind in order to be a Bible teacher. Simply put, my job is to impart the revelation He has given us on those He gives me to teach. My purpose, as I understand it, is to encourage and challenge them to become all that God wants them to be.
Lesson Number Four: Stay humble
Standing at the front of the room makes me the expert in my students’ minds.
Teaching carries the privilege of potentially influencing the lives my students.
Those two simple truths can become a power trip for teachers. Therefore, we must remember our enemy’s goal is to keep us from being effective in sharing God’s Word. Our pride is an excellent foothold for his purposes.
Lesson Number Five: A good teacher is more than a dispenser of information
In fact, I would say caring about the recipients of that information is far more important than the information itself. God’s second greatest commandment after loving Him is LOVE PEOPLE. With that in mind, there are several things I do to express my love for my students.
Inspire students with the love of learning.
Recognize and meet the needs of those with learning differences and difficulties.
Provide explanations/examples that appeal to the unique make-up of each student.
Manage the classroom.
o Encourage and promote positive behavior.
o Discourage and discipline bad behavior.
“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.” - Horace Mann (Father of American Education)
Lesson Number Six: I am not the source of Truth
As a Bible teacher it is a great comfort to know that God and His Word are my firm foundation. He doesn’t need me to apologize for Him, defend Him, or attempt to make His Truth more palatable.
Sidebar: I am a very independent woman. I always have been. My sister and I were taught to be independent by our mom, who was married to a fairly unreliable man—our dad. To give you a visual, imagine a woman whose best friend gave her a circular saw for her 80th birthday. Not even kidding!
I explain this to help you understand how hard it is for me to give over control. That whole section in Scripture about wives submitting to their husbands—all I can say is, poor Kevin! But as I’ve matured over the years (some would argue), I began to realize submitting to my man comes with certain benefits. One that I particularly like is when someone asks something of me that is undesirable or makes me uncomfortable, I can rightly say, “Let me talk to my husband first. Then, when Kevin says no, it’s super easy to give that as a final answer.
Yikes! Now you know my secret! | GIF by Tenor via Tenor
Some of you may be less timid than me about telling people ‘NO’, so you may not fully understand my struggle. But for those of you who, like me, always have a ‘YES’ on the tips of your tongues, a scape-goat husband is truly a wonderful thing.
Even more important than my willingness to submit to my husband is my willingness to submit to God. Like my husband, God wants me to come to Him in uncomfortable or undesirable situations. Therefore, I can rightfully and righteously say, “Let me spend some time praying and determine what God wants me to do.”
It was a significant lesson when I learned that obedience in submission is meant for my greatest good and protection. Over time it has become easier, though I am the first to admit that I'm no expert.
Bonus Lesson: For those of you who are married or think you might marry in the future, if you struggle with submitting to your husband, you will likely struggle with submitting to God.
What does all of this have to do with ‘Lesson Number Six: I am not the source of Truth’? When I’m teaching a controversial Truth from Scripture or someone wants to argue with me about the accuracy of the Bible, I don’t have to control the outcome of the conversation. Even if my flesh wants to go to battle, a better (more righteous) response is to submit to the Holy Spirit and let God do the job of changing hearts.
Lesson Number Seven: I’m not the source of my gift
Because I’m not the source of my gift, I must always appeal to the One who is to use it according to His will.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” - James 1:17
Lesson Number Eight: Not everyone is going to become a “Kelly groupie”
Some love my teaching, others don’t. And that’s okay!
Another Analogy: Just as Baskin Robbins offered 31 flavors (cuz not everyone loves vanilla and chocolate), God offers a variety of Bible teachers. I’m just one among many.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that I tend to attract a certain type of student. This helps me remain true to the kind of teacher I am and want to be.
Lesson Number Nine: Be the guide for any and all rabbit trails
When I teach, I almost always come prepared with a lesson plan and a general idea of how the time will be spent. My intent is to maintain control while encouraging students to interact and ask questions. At times the conversation goes places too far from the desired goal, and I have to carefully guide us back to our original purpose.
Lesson Number Ten: Be flexible
As an extension of lesson nine, I am also aware that rabbit trails might take us to places of Holy Spirit-led discovery. Therefore, my goal isn’t to discuss every point on my lesson plan; it is to allow God to adapt my plan in whatever way He sees fit.
Alter Ego: Good job finishing the top ten.
Me: Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without you.
