How much better it is to recruit teachers who acknowledge their incompetence than those who think they have mastered all there is to know about teaching God’s Word. The latter will be less likely to be stuck in their ways. They will tend to be teachable, wanting to learn more in order to be better teachers. Like the Apostle Paul, they might say . . .
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phil. 3:12)
When Teachers See Themselves as Students:
When teachers see themselves as students, they will tend to be more receptive to training or mentoring. They will look for something in each training session they can grab ahold of to become better equipped to teach. Even when a session covers a topic they already seem to have mastered, they will be glad for the review and still come away encouraged.
When teachers see themselves as students, they will be like clay in the Potter’s hands. God is able to mold and shape them and use them in ways they might never expect. The words of 2 Corinthians 12:10 would resonate with them — “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” They find God’s grace to be sufficient for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
Encourage Teachers Who See Themselves as Students:
1) Encourage them to study the lesson in ways that get beyond mere lesson preparation to personally growing from it. When the truth of the lesson sinks deep into their own hearts and lives, it will make a difference in their teaching.
2) Encourage them to spend time in the Word apart from studying for the lesson so they grasp God’s heart for teaching, not mere technique.
3) Encourage them to keep learning in any way they can by providing other training resources beyond the formal training you might provide all teachers.