Often people in difficult or troubling times need to know they’re loved … especially that God loves them, but also you.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 Jn. 3:16)
Naturally, Bible teachers use many words whether in the form of asking questions, providing illustrations, moderating a discussion, and sometimes lecturing. Students usually can tell the difference between caring teachers and those who teach out of duty. Yet, to really let students know you care, there will be times that love must be demonstrated through action. That’s especially true in times of trouble.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (Jn. 15:13)
… let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 Jn. 3:18)
When Bible Teachers Intervene in Times of Trouble People See Love in Action
Students facing times of trouble need comforting and encouraging words and sometimes even counsel to help them gain perspective. But, they may also have needs that can’t be fulfilled by words alone. Will you love them so much that you’re delighted to not only share the lesson but your life as well (paraphrase of 1 Thess. 2:8)? If not, your words may soon sound like “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1).
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 Jn. 3:17)
As a byproduct, love shown toward your students, by intervening to help in time of need, could be a witness of God’s love to their friends and families.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (Jn. 13:35)
Practical Ways Teachers Can Be Interveners
Intervening begins with compassion as you see students’ needs and desire to help. This assumes some level of knowledge and involvement in the personal lives of your students in order to be aware of needs. An accurate assessment of the need itself will lead to an understanding of how to meet that need. Some practical ways to help might include:
- meeting financial needs (sometimes a gift card works best to insure this help gets used as intended)
- taking a meal or arranging a schedule of meals from a variety of people willing to help
- getting and delivering groceries
- repairing something that’s broken if you know how
- helping with other inside or outside maintenance issues
- providing transportation to important appointments
- giving parents respite by providing some childcare
- etc., etc., etc.
To be sure, as a Bible teacher you can’t meet every need or be there for all students all of the time. But, you can personally intervene in some students’ lives. Also, you can help facilitate the intervention through referrals, seeking the help of others, and encouraging fellow classmates to show love to one another in these ways. And, very importantly, you can pray for God to provide for their needs.
In addition to what you read on this page the Bible Teachers’ Many Roles in Times of Trouble resource also includes lessons we can learn from Jesus’ example about intervening to provide for people’s needs along with a few other biblical points to consider.