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Topic: Teachers (07/12/04)
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TITLE: The Teacher In You By Charlotte Schafer 07/18/04 |
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Jesus was the greatest teacher, and the perfect example of how excellent teaching is accomplished. Jesus taught in four distinct ways, by example, by storytelling, by object lesson, and by being sensitive to the needs of the ones he taught. We must follow his example in how we teach and reach others for His kingdom.
Jesus taught in the same way he was being taught. That is, He watched the Father and did what ever he saw the Father doing. We too, can watch Jesus through the pages of the Bible, and in the lives of other believers, then, we can portray those same examples to others. This is what Paul the apostle, did when he passed the baton to Timothy and again when he called Timothy to pass the Word onto other faithful men, who would also be able to pass it on again.
Jesus taught by story telling. Many times his stories were short, but to the point. One such story was the widow who gave a mite in the offering plate. The others looked down on her, but Jesus said, that she had given all that she had. Would we dare to give all that we have?
Jesus’ stories were never long and drawn out, and they always had a point to them. Those stories were uncomplicated chunks of life, that taught valuable lessons. The use of real life experiences to base stories on, make for examples that stays with a person. If you can write, you can tell a story.
Jesus lifestyle was that of teaching. He did not wait for opportunities he created them. He looked at the woman caught in adultery and there was a lesson to be taught here. He saw it immediately. His lesson plan was simple. “ Who among you is without sin, you cast the first stone.”
What we need most to be, are men and women of the Word, studying it diligently and plumbing its depths daily. Then, we too, can seize those same teaching opportunities in today’s generations.
Finally, Jesus taught each person he came into contact with in a manner adjusted precisely for them. Remember, Jesus who is also God incarnate, knows each of us from the inside out. He sees our heart and knows our personality bent, he knows how to say something to us in such a way that we are forever changed.
We can see into a person’s personality, and if we will invest our time in those whom we spend our days at work with, we can, as teachers make a difference in their lives. God will teach us how to temper our words to be best received by our co-workers.
· Jesus taught, by living out a virtuous life before others.
We should do the same by living out the verse that says, “Avoid all appearance of evil.”
· Jesus taught with pointed stories from real chunks of life.
We have plenty of experiences we can draw on.
· Jesus taught, by seizing the moment and creating opportunity for a lesson.
We can prayerfully, seek those times when we can bring light into someone’s darkened path.
· Jesus taught, with a bent toward the person he was talking to.
We too, must adjust how we say, the words they need to hear, to make it as palatable as possible. Paul said it this way, “ I have become all things, to all men, that by all means, I might win some.”
The lessons that can be taught are endless and are all around us everyday. The more you tune into them the more you will wonder how you can express them all. Just ask God to help you pinpoint the lessons that will be heard and should be taught right now. As always, stop and ask, “Lord, where are you around me, and how can I join you there in your work? He will always give an answer.
You will know for sure once you have carefully placed the precious gift of learning before the souls of your students to ponder, all you need do is to rejoice that you were obedient to His call.
In our world today we each are a teacher, whether we mean to be or not. Someone is learning a slice of life, from the pages we are living out each day. Let it be taught through a walk that is circumspect, with a story that makes the point, through real lessons from life, and in a manner they might be able receive.
As someone once said, “ you may be the only Bible they ever read.”