So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me.” John 7:16
When it comes to teachers and students, I’ve discovered over the years that if you get a group of teachers together and ask one question, “Which class was your absolute worst?”, the answers are quick and definitive. If you reverse the question and ask, “Which class was your absolute best?”, the answers are equally (well almost) as quick and definitive. Teachers remember every class and every student because each one holds a special place in their life.
Likewise, students will always be quick to answer definitively when you ask, “Who was your best teacher?” Even as adults, most people remember our best teacher from ages ago! Teachers have that kind of influence on a person’s life.
We all remember teachers for different reasons, but most of the time we remember them because they taught us things we needed to know to survive in this world, and they did it with strength and compassion. Their “teachings” combined knowledge with curriculum and did it in a way which captured our attention and respect.
The ability to live out our teachings isn’t because we are necessarily the smartest person ever, but if we listen to the teacher, watch the process, and try to emulate the teacher, we will learn. I think that’s exactly the method Jesus used to teach others of the Kingdom of God, and I think He would want us to use that method to teach those who need to hear about Him.
There are many different “teachings” going on in the world today. There is the teaching of conforming to the will of the majority. There is the teaching of political correctness. There is the teaching of which lives matter most. There is the teaching of which political party is correct. There is the teaching of what is right and wrong. The teachings of this day and age are too many to number. Which teaching do we embrace and learn? The only teachings that we as Christians should embrace are the ones which come from The Best Teacher, Jesus.
Teachers, in this world of virtual classrooms and constant changes have a very special mission these days, they have to adapt. Besides, teaching the children the curriculum, they also have to be there to model confidence, adhere to safety measures, provide assurance, wipe tears, calm fears, treat students with love and care, and provide a constant for the classroom. Added to an already stressful job, it goes above and beyond their contractual duty. It’s like having three pots on the stove and four casseroles in the oven all on different time schedules with a table of hungry guests at the table!
The best teacher has characteristics which inspire their students just as Jesus had many characteristics which inspired His followers. The best teacher should teach with compassion, authority, tempered with purpose, adapt their teaching style to encompass different scholars, put students first, and approach every day and every student with a unique teaching style.
Jesus did the same thing as He reached so many different people in so many different situations, He adapted. He taught from a boat in the water, He taught on a hillside, He taught from the temple, and He continued to teach from the cross and after the resurrection. He taught to the rich and the poor, the lame and the whole, the young and the old. The best teacher taught by telling stories that relate to life and by using “teachable moments” to which his audience could relate. His teachings had no prejudice – every person was equally valued.
Teachers are leading children by their example, their knowledge, their presentation, their excitement, and their love and care much like Jesus led His followers. When I decided to become a teacher I remember my Mama saying, “That will be the profession that keeps on giving by touching young lives, and it will enrich your own, plus you get the summers off!” One thing proved to be true, it has been a profession that touched my life in so many different ways!
We have to pick the best teacher and teachings upon which to build our faith and our lives. It seems to me that the obvious choice for the best teacher would be Jesus, and His teachings are the ones upon which we should build our lives and faith.
A huge shout out to all the teachers! God bless you as you exemplify the qualities of the best teacher every day!