Category Archives: Teacher Roles

Bible teachers with hearts rooted in Christ-like motivations reflect His attitudes toward their students. What happens within the teachers then reveals itself outwardly in Christ-like actions of serving.

The Kind of Christ-like Actions Seen in Servant Teachers

Read through the Gospels and you will find Jesus meeting people where they were spiritually, sometimes helping them physically in order to meet what they viewed as their most pressing need. He modeled servanthood by washing the disciples feet, what would be considered a menial task. And, Jesus willing gave up the glories of heaven to come to earth as a man and ultimately sacrifice His life on our behalf in a cruel death. — being found in appearance as a man humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:8)

You’ll find three implications for teachers who want to follow Jesus’ example of servanthood in the Bible Teacher’s Role Download along with other aspects of being a servant teacher. This resource also provides instruction for seven other roles teachers might assume if they want to make a real impact on students’ lives.

With Christ-like motivation, servant teachers react with Christ-like attitudes, those that demonstrate love and humility.

Christ-like Attitudes Begin with a Humble Heart

As God Himself, Jesus could have come to reign control over people’s lives as the Sovereign One. Rather He came as a Servant exercising humility and grace to be our Savior.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8)

Servant Teachers Need the Same Attitude as Christ

Our position as Bible teachers does not make us superior to our students. As Jesus told His disciples, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11-12), so position does not bring entitlement.

Order the Bible Teacher’s Role Download to better understand what this means practically for teachers, along with other input about being a servant teacher. In addition to being a servant, it also looks at a teacher’s role as a communicator, conduit, disciplemaker, equipper, friend, model, and motivator.

To follow the example of Christ who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28), we must begin with our hearts for everything we do flows from it (Prov. 4:23). Servant teachers need Christ-like motivation.

Jesus’ Motivation as a Servant

Read through the Gospels and you will find a number of circumstances where Jesus saw a need, felt compassion, and then served in a way that met the need (Matt. 14:14; Mk. 6:34; Lk. 7:13-14). He also told a parable about the Good Samaritan, contrasting those whose hearts were consumed with self, status, and stinginess with this one man with a servant heart. Similar to Jesus’ motivation, we read, “when he saw him, he felt compassion and came to him and bandaged up his wounds …” (Lk. 10:30-37).

Servant Teachers Teach for the Right Reasons, with Christ-like Motivation Rooted in Love

As those first and foremost accountable to God for how we serve, we follow His priorities. Jesus identifies the top two greatest commandments as love for God and then love for people (Matt. 22:36-39). He went on to say, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:40). Hence, there can be no greater motivation than love.

The Bible Teacher’s Role Download considers reasons people might teach but stresses the need for Christ-like motivation. It also suggests some steps to take if you struggle to maintain Christ-like motivation. This resource looks at other aspects of being a servant teacher as well as seven additional roles a Bible teacher might assume to make a lasting impact.

We are all God’s servants regardless of position or type of ministry (1 Cor. 3:5). We follow the example of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) who humbled Himself and took on the nature of a servant (Phil. 2:6-7). He came to serve rather than be served (Matt. 20:28).

Bible teachers have many opportunities to demonstrate that servanthood. In so doing, they demonstrate Christ-likeness, becoming a good example for their students to follow.

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. (Matt. 20:28)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)

What Being a Christ-like Servant Looks Like in Bible Teachers

Bible teachers must do more than take on the role of a servant, they must “be” a servant. As we seen in Scripture, Christ’s example of servanthood begins in the heart, something we become from the inside out.

rooted in Christ-like motivations

reflective of Christ-like attitudes

revealed in Christ-like actions

resulting in Christ-like treatment of others

If you click on the above links you can read about each of those aspects of servanthood. If you order the Bible Teacher’s Role resource, you’ll learn even more about being a servant teacher as well as seven other roles.