Shepherding Ministry Venue: Sunday School Teachers

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What's a Sunday School teacher to do?

The primary task of a Sunday School teacher is to systematically teach the Word of God, specifically for changed lives. To reach that objective the teacher needs to be the kind of teacher who will make a difference, maintain the right goals, teach the way students learn best, and rely on the work of the Holy Spirit.

A teacher must thereby "do his/her best to present himself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

A teacher may equip, disciple, or mentor but what makes a Sunday School teacher unique is that the setting yields the potential for systematic teaching of the Word of God.

Ideally, someone with the gift of teaching would fill this position. However, those with the gifts of exhortation or prophecy may also find themselves teaching Sunday School. Teachers with this kind of gifting, unless having a more detailed and analytical personality, will not tend to be as systematic in their approach.

Teachers with the gift of exhortation, and not teaching, will be more application-oriented. They will tend to get off on tangents more, going with the flow of the students' train of thought. To best utilize their time, they must work at being systematic and staying more on target.

Teachers with the gift of prophecy, and not teaching, will tend to be more preachy and revival-oriented. They will tend to get on soap boxes more, taking a stand against the world's woes. To best utilize their time, they must work at teaching the whole counsel of God and using Scripture for teaching, correcting, and training and not just rebuking.

Teaching is a vital work of shepherding but only one aspect. Sunday School teachers who are able and willing to serve their students outside the walls of the classroom will have the most impact on their students' lives.

If the teaching gifts are accompanied by the gift of pastor, the Sunday School teacher will tend to feel a compulsion to look after the welfare of the students beyond the class.

Teachers without the gift of pastor may need to work at being more deliberate in going the extra mile.

A Sunday School teacher must take time to get to know the students to effectively shepherd them.

Teachers who build relationships with their students move into incarnational teaching, the best way to get to know the condition of the sheep. Jesus came to earth, where mankind lived, to put truth into human form. Teachers, likewise, will best communicate truth when they are willing to go into the worlds of their students. Teaching truth within the context of relationship will have the greatest impact and enable you to effectively minister to them.

You will get to know the needs of individuals better.

You will start to see students as whole people, not merely as spiritual entities to teach.

When students sense that the teacher cares about them and that their needs are being met, they will want to keep coming back and they will want to bring others to share in it. They will tend to be more attentive to what you say and also more cooperative.

A teacher who wants to not only teach the class but also be involved in the personal lives of students must be willing to invest time and energy into keeping in contact with them.

Utilize time before and after class.
Build sharing times into the lesson and listen carefully.
Use guided conversation with individuals while they work on class activities.
Pray for and with the students when they share needs or struggles.
Write notes in the form of cards or e-mails.
Invite them to join you in personal activities or visit you in your home.
Attend their personal activities when feasible.
Visit or call them at their homes.

To get to know your students you must observe them. Notice how they interact among themselves. Pay attention to their reactions to different situations. Make a note of particular habits, abilities, skills, and interests they demonstrate. Also observe the world in which they live to help you better understand the challenges they may face.

Be sure to listen to your students. Hear not only the words they say but also their feelings. Note what their body language may be communicating. Listen to them not only with your ears but also with your heart.

Getting to know students personally is vital to discerning the condition of the flock. Understanding general characteristics of their age level will also help. Continue to learn what you can through reading, networking with other teachers, and attending seminars.

How are teachers supposed to do all that? How do they prepare the lesson, get to know the students, and then also meet the needs of their students?

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