Who is a teacher?  That person can be someone who taught you in school.  He or she (I shall just use “he” for simplicity from this point on) could also be someone you learnt from through books written by the author.  But the biblical understanding of a teacher is deeper than that: He is someone who does not only teach you some knowledge but one who teaches you how to live out that knowledge.  In short, he is someone who changes your life by words and action.

Paul as a Teacher

When the church in Corinth was split over issues related to the gospel and their apostle Paul, Paul sends his student Timothy to help resolve the problem: “That is why I sentyou Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (1 Cor 4:17)  The idea behind father and child in this verse is not only some close and loving relationship but can be encapsulated by the English proverb “Like father like son.”  Hence Paul says that Timothy is someone who thinks and acts very much like Paul.  For that reason, sending Timothy is

almost like Paul going there personally.  The reason why Timothy could be so like Paul was because in those ancient days, the student lives with the teacher.  He sees and thus imitates how the teacher conducts his life.  In short, a teacher is someone who shares his life with his student.  If you are a parent, a Sunday School teacher or a teacher in church, your duty is singular: to change lives by teaching truth and teaching the student how to live out the truth.  Dear Sunday School teacher, be such a teacher: Communicate life.

Thank God for Teachers

Teachers’ Day falls on 1^st of September 2010.  I believe we are thankful to teachers who taught us in schools because through their teaching, we have become useful people in the society and are able to earn a living.  If that is the case, we need all the more to be thankful to our spiritual teachers because through them we receive not material benefits that last but for a while but eternal and abundant life that is useful in this life and in our future life for eternity.

We are thankful to both Children and Adult Sunday School teachers.  What the students receive in an hour or so requires these teachers to spend hours preparing them.  To do that, teachers often have to sacrifice their recreation and rest.  It is true that teachers have a responsibility to improve themselves and students are also welcome to give teachers feedback.  But apart from passing critical remarks, have you ever sincerely thanked your teachers or the teachers of your children?  Do not be like some people who are so focused on some shortcomings of a teacher that they dismiss the important truths that the lesson is trying to teach you or your children.  If you are always very critical, you are only hurting your own soul.  Let me suggest one way you can encourage and help your teacher: ask questions.  This stimulates discussion.  Also be faithful in classes.  Then you are really showing your appreciation.

The church and I as a pastor want to take this opportunity to thank our teachers.  The Lord knows your labour of love.  Students, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Heb 13:7)  Teachers, press on.