Providing teacher training to help your Bible teachers “do” what they should to teach effectively is relatively easy and measurable. Training teachers to “be” who they should be is much harder to do and not so quantifiable. Yet, in God’s economy “doing” grows out of “being.” While teaching skills are important, the heart of the teacher matters more. Reflect on Scripture verses about the source of our words and actions:
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lk. 6:45)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Prov. 4:23)
Eventually what is on the inside comes out. Teachers’ lives will either highlight or contradict the lessons being taught. If you neglect to minister to the heart of your teachers and to assist them in developing the right qualities in their lives, you are not only failing them but the students as well.
What you can do:
Develop some form of accountability with your teaching staff.
Pray for and with your teachers and elicit prayers from others on their behalf.
Emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit both in and through them.
Encourage your teachers in their walk with God.
Provide devotionals geared to teachers that emphasize heart qualities needed in teaching.
Be a good model for them.
More to Read:
Even More Resources: Teacher Qualities