“QUALIFICATIONS OF A TEACHER”

REASON FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

The term Sunday School is not found in the Bible, but its function certainly is within the Great Commission for the church to teach all of the Bible to all people. A verse that demonstrates this is Deuteronomy 31:12.

Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

VALUE OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

The value of Sunday School is immeasurable. The Sunday School produces unity and doctrinal stability in the church. It is also imperative to protect the church’s future.

SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:5-6; cf. Heb. 13:7)

MOTIVATION OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:16-17)

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him…..And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Col. 3:17, 23)

QUALITIES OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

An effective teacher must be filled with the Spirit of God. This all will flow from his or her relationship with God and His Word. This will invariably lead to the following qualities and gifts evident in the life of a Spirit-filled teacher:

(1) ONE WHO IMPARTS WISE INSTRUCTIONS (Prov 22:6 Deuteronomy 31:12)

Where does this wisdom come from?

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Prov 2:6).

Therefore a teacher must be:

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(a) Saved

1 Corinthians 2:9-15, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

(b) Zealous Student of God’s Word – You cannot teach what you do not know or have experienced yourself.

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. (2 Timothy 2:6)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

(2) ONE WHO IS PRAYERFUL

Pray without ceasing. (1Thess. 5:17)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)

(3) ONE WHO IS A CONSISTENT EXAMPLE

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. (Prov. 20:7)

You cannot contradict the message you preach,

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Cor 4:2)

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (1 Timothy 1:5)

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(4) ONE WHO HAS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND CARE

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: (1 Thess. 3:12; cf. 1 Peter 1:22)

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal. 6:10)

(5) ONE WHO IS IMPARTIAL – God is impartial (Deut. 10:17) so we want to imitate Him.

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. (James 2:9; cf. Prov. 24:23)

(6) ONE WHO IS AN ENCOURAGER – God is a God of encouragement (Joshua 1:1-9).

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb 10:25)

TEACHING METHOD OF A TEACHER

The greatest teacher of children was Jesus Christ. His method of teaching included:

1. Use of Parables. These are, “are scenes or short stories taken from nature or from common life, which present some leading spiritual truth capable of transforming the spiritual life of a man.” There are about 61 parables in all. Christ used this method more than any other.2. Real stories - the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is not presented as a parable, but as a real situation. 3. Object lessons – child in Matthew 18:1-4 4. Word pictures – words and phrases that create a picture in your mind e.g. a millstone hung around your neck. (Mark 9:42)5. Gave opportunity for questions (Mark 13:3)6. Referred to daily experience (Luke 10:41-42). Christ dealt with real problems that people faced in their daily lives.7. Asked questions to provoke a response (John 1:38, Mark 3:4) – There are over one hundred different questions, which Christ asked in the Gospels.8. Personal experience of participation – feet washing in John 13.9. Jesus was not afraid to rebuke. His rebukes could be gentle (John 8:11), moderate (Luke 11:39-54), and severe (John 2:14-17).10. Seek always to bring them to the need of the Cross by applying truth (Matt. 7:21-27).

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