Suppose you want to teach students about living out the “one another” passages of Scripture. As a disciple-making teacher, you understand the importance of helping students develop Christ-like relationships.
Relational Challenge in Today’s World Bible Teachers Must Acknowledge
Teachers who aren’t tech savvy could have a unique challenge. Today’s students tend to do relationships through online social media apps. They’ll often text one another rather than call them. Perhaps they’ll use a video and calling app. Sure, e-mail and normal phone calls still happen but these other means are quicker and disseminate the message to more people.
Like it or not, these forms of relating are here to stay and will only be developed further. Obviously some of the “one another” commands in Scripture can’t happen through technology so even tech savvy teachers have a challenge.
If Jesus lived today, He very well might use these mediums but they certainly wouldn’t be His sole means of relating and undoubtedly not even his primary way.
What Disciple-making Teachers Need to Promote Christ-like Relationships in Today’s World
In teaching about developing Christ-like relationships, which includes the “one another” passages of Scripture, we must be:
informed, not naive about how people relate with one another these days
relevant, using illustrations that fit today’s world
realistic, helping students set goals they will implement
While being informed, relevant, and realistic is critical for teachers, we must also continually challenge ourselves and our students toward Christ-like relationships. We still need face-to-face, personal involvement in each other’s lives. — “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt. 18:20) “… not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another …” (Heb. 10:25)
Teacher Training Worksheet: The Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students in Christ-like Relationships
More Teacher Training Resources: How to Teach Students to Develop Christ-like Relationships