For Bible teachers to truly be able to say “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1), they need to model Christ-like attitudes as well as behavior. That extends to what’s at the heart of friendship — acceptance of one another. Bible teachers accept students like friends.
As Friends, Bible Teachers Accept Students as Christ Accepts Us
We’re all exhorted to “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Rom. 15:7). For teachers to extend friendship, they need the attitude of Christ.
So, what is that attitude in Christ Jesus that enables Him to accept people on the basis of grace, not merit (Rom. 5:8)? It began with humility. He “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Phil. 2:6-8).
The Bible Teacher’s Role Download provides brief commentary about Romans 15:7 and some examples of what it looks like to accept our students and how it affects them when we do. It also gives input on other aspects of friendship teachers can extend to students.
Hello, thank you very much for the scripture. To accept children is the greatest challenge, mostly here were poverty is high, some children would be dirty. the scripture is very important.
Baxter, you are welcome. Scripture needs to be our guide. Therein we find that Jesus accepted people on the basis of grace, not their socioeconomic status. As we more and more know and rely on God’s love (1 Jn. 4:16), we too can love even those some might consider unlovable, for “we love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).