The word teach in the Greek language literally means “one who learns”. So, a teacher is one who learns. When you decide that you have learned it all and no longer feel the need to study to be prepared to teach your students in your care, then maybe you are no longer a teacher. As teachers, we must be okay with “I don’t know, let’s look it up and see what we can find out.” Then do it, together. Teachers are life-long learners. Sincere, trustworthy, dedicated teachers know they don’t know it all. This honesty puts students at ease.

Great teachers also know they cannot take their students further than they have been themselves. We have been given a great responsibility to teach. We humbly accept the challenge by studying “to show ourselves approved” (2 Timothy 2:15) to be ready to meet the challenge of helping others know God more. We also have the challenge to help our students find what God wants for them! We should be teaching others to teach others to teach others! (2 Timothy 2:2) We could cause a revolution exponentially by teaching others to teach others!

I am a teacher. I am one who learns. I am a life long learner. I have NOT arrived. In fact, the more I learn the more I find out I do not know. I am foremost a child of God with a desire to be and do what pleases my Savior and be led by my Lord, Jesus Christ.

If you teach, stick to your teaching. If you are one who learns, then stick to your learning. Leave out your opinions. Get the facts from the Word. Then walk the talk. We all teach intentionally and unintentionally because others are always watching. Even a small child knows if we have prepared our lesson…or not.

Yes, if you teach, stick to your teaching…that comes from God and His Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of those times when we thought reading the title of the lesson at hand was enough. Forgive us of our babblings instead of learning before teaching a classroom of students no matter what the age. We pray that You would be in our daily study, that You would speak to our hearts before we speak to the students You have already prepared to listen. Oh Lord, what a responsibility it is to teach. We do not take this lightly, whether in the classroom of life or in the classrooms of Your church! Help us, Lord…to be one who learns…continuously…until You call us home to be with You.
In Jesus Name, Amen