As the young child was walking through the shopping mall with his mother, he got very excited and began shouting, “That’s my teacher! That’s my teacher!” The teacher was accustomed to such salutations from her young students. She waved at the child and gave the embarrassed mother an understanding smile. The child could hardly wait to get home to tell his friends about seeing his teacher at the mall. He just could not imagine his teacher going shopping, just like a “real person”.
“Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. For in many things we all stumble” (James 3:1-2a). Brethren expect some degree of faithfulness and maturity in the man who stands behind the rostrum and teaches the adult Bible class. At the same time, those students in the class well understand the distinction between maturity and sinless perfection. No matter who stands before the class to teach – he is just a man, subject to the same frailties and handicaps as others. If the teacher makes a slip of the tongue, or misses the point in a lesson, or even stumbles in his daily living – mature Christians can keep things in perspective while addressing the problem.
But what about the kids? When their Bible class teacher behaves carelessly or indifferently in regard to truth, the implications and consequences are severe. The child does not operate from a basis of spiritual maturity – he is in the process of acquiring it. The faith and zeal of the youngster can be shaken drastically by inconsistent and confusing behavior he sees in his teacher.
Why would a mature man or woman spend several hours preparing to teach the children about the importance of worship – and then the same teacher forsake the assembly on Sunday night? “Mom, where’s my teacher tonight?” Why would a teacher emphasize the importance of “our gospel meeting” to a group of eager children, and then miss the meeting himself? And what would the little girl think, if after the Wednesday night lesson on modest apparel, she saw her teacher at the park on Saturday dressed quite immodestly? “Hey Mom, that’s my teacher!”
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me: but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:5-6) .
We are certainly blessed with some excellent teachers for the children’s Bible classes. Hours and hours are spent in lesson preparation. Let’s be mindful, however, that with all the attention given to preparing and delivering a lesson – there are some accompanying responsibilities which are quite significant.
– by David Thomley
