Having a good attitude when teaching
“I’ve been teaching the way I teach for too long to learn anything new now.” was a statement made by a Sunday school teacher recently.
Such an attitude in the church is not healthy, but perhaps more common than most of us realize. It is easy for people, even Christian workers to get into a “rut” and get lazy, if they are not careful. Looking for the easy and quick way to teach, and quite often the way they have been teaching for a long time. But, is this really an effective way of teaching or does it become tedious and boring, lacking the teaching dynamics that it should have?
Looking at new methods and new ideas of teaching can be daunting. New ways of teaching may not be as easy to prepare. It could mean extra work for the Sunday school teacher. New teaching methods might mean that the teacher no longer has the power and control they once had in their class. To give an example, a lot of teachers do not like question and answer sessions. They are afraid they won’t know the answers and they don’t like having to stop the lesson even to add additional insight or an explanation to the lesson.
It is therefore important that a teachable teacher has an attitude that goes much deeper than a person’s attitude toward teaching. It will also entail an attitude toward their Lord to be open to his leading, direction and correction. If you are a “teachable person” you are a person who is willing to listen to God and His direction for your life. You will be willing to change your ideas and attitudes as you learn more about God, His Word and His Will for your life.
The “teachable teacher” is willing to join with the Psalmist in praying, “Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to your truth…” (Psalm 25:4 & 5a).
An attitude that is open to the Lord’s guidance and instruction is an important attribute for any Sunday school teacher. Remember that none of us are perfect; we don’t know everything there is to know about the Bible. It is not a problem to have all the answers to all the questions that will be asked. And, no matter how effective we are in our teaching, there will always be ‘room for improvement’ to be as good a teacher as we could be. But, with a willing spirit to be a “teachable teacher,” it is possible to grow spiritually and become more effective in our work for our Lord.
The Sunday school teacher who realizes that they don’t know everything could become an even better and more effective teacher by reading and studying his or her Bible daily, and by reading Christian books and magazines. Attend teacher training workshops and seminars. Devote the time and effort necessary to make your lessons effective and enjoyable for your class members.
When you think of all that Jesus did for you, can you do anything less for Him?
Printable material for Sunday school