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In Times of Trouble, Bible Teachers Can Be Comforters

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Sometimes in distressing circumstances, people need more than words and tangible help alone can bring. They need something that touches their heart, or inner being, not just their minds or bodies. — They need comfort.

They need to feel, not just know or experience, a sense of presence to truly be comforted. We know this to be true as a person can be in a room full of people who know and love them and still feel alone. Though physically present, if a spiritual or soul connection doesn’t occur, the person may remain uncomforted.

To Truly Comfort, Bible Teachers Need to Connect by Truly Caring

The word for comfort in Scripture, paraklesis, literally means to call beside, or to come alongside of (para = “beside” and kaleo = “to call”). Yet, it’s a helpful presence as seen in the way the word, parakletos, used of the Holy Spirit who comes to our side, both in and with us, gets translated as our Helper or Comforter (Jn. 14:16-17).

For Bible teachers, it has to be about more than merely showing up for class or even contacting students outside of class. A comforting presence grows out of a heart that cares. So it is with the comfort we receive from God.
Bible Teachers as Comforters Due to the God of All Comfort
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Notice how these verses identify the God of all comfort. Though the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Always Present God, He presents Himself to us in a more intimate, connecting way — as the Father. Lest we confuse Him with abusive earthly fathers, the God who comforts us is identified as the Father of compassion. As such, we can know, not just mentally, but in our inward parts, that He truly cares about all that pertains to us.

How Bible Teachers Can be Comforters in Times of Trouble

The first thing you might do, as a Bible teacher, is to ask if you truly care about your students. Even a hint of indifference or apathy toward the feelings and hardships students might be experiencing in troublesome times, could lessen your ability to truly comfort.

Teacher Training Resource: Does your heart beat with the love of God? Worksheet

Learn more in the Bible Teachers’ Many Roles in Times of Trouble about specific steps you can take to be more of a comforter to your students both in class and outside of the classroom when not meeting.

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