What Does Being a Christian Teacher Look Like? (The 5 Characteristics of a Christian Teacher) Part 2

 …but not the ones who harp all the time! 😉

Last week, we began our series on the 5 characteristics of a Christian teacher.  Ultimately, we are pointing our students to Christ, with our character and actions in the classroom being our witness. Here is a quick recap:

• Christian teachers are passionate about teaching.  (Even though we sometimes complain, we’ve got to get our teaching fix, because it’s our calling.)  See 2 Timothy 1:6

• Christian teachers are fruit producers bearing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. See Galations 5:22-23

Next on the list is…

•  Christian teachers build relationships with their students.

  

  You may be thinking that most teachers build relationships day in and day out with students.  And yes, they do! The difference is Christian teachers build them by serving and ministering to students.  For example, when we see a student in need, whether it’s small or large, we look for a way to meet that need.  Whether it includes pencils and paper, help with school work, or something bigger like clothes or even a mattress on which to sleep, we do our best to serve them at their point of need. After all, when we are serving our students, we are serving Christ.  

  More importantly though, it means taking time to listen and talk to students. Teachers are already spending time with students during class, but Christian teachers take that extra bit of “me” time and shave off a few minutes here and there, as well as time before, between, and after class to get to know their students better.  We serve our kids something more valuable than gold when we serve them with our time!

  
  

  The most striking difference of all though, is that the most effective way Christian teachers build relationships with their students is by loving them and praying for them.  Stop and think about that for a moment.  Who do we pray for the most?  Is it not those with whom we have a close relationship?  With those we love?  It’s nearly impossible to not build a relationship with the people in our lives for whom we pray and love fervently. Amen?

Next week we will continue with the 5 characteristics of Christian teachers.  Until then, continue with your passionate, fruit bearing, relationship building teaching dear Christian teachers!  God bless you and stay devoted.

#ChristianTeachersAreTheBestTeachers

 

 

May I See Your I.D.?

‘Tis the season for teachers to vote for Teacher of the Year (TOTY) at schools all around the country.  It’s one teacher takes all, which inevitably leaves the rest of the faculty wondering, Why didn’t I win? What could I have done better? or I’m just not good enough.  I’m sure most of us have encountered these questions at some point during our teaching careers… me included.  Can I get a witness?

If this is you too, then you and I both may need to be lovingly reminded that our true identity is not found in winning awards or, with the exception of beliefs, any of the following aspects:

Sure, people may identify us in one of the above ways, as these characteristics do constitute our earthly uniqueness.  BUT, we are talking about SO MUCH MORE than that!

So dear teachers, I want to remind you of who your are in Christ, and that upon His foundation all the other facets of our identities are built.  Just take a moment and inhale what the living, breathing word of God emphatically states on this subject…

… and the next time the aforementioned thoughts race through your mind at +100 mph, stop ’em in their tracks by exhaling it. For example…

• I’m just not good enough!  No, I am a born again child of the living God. Blood bought and on a mission to win students to the Lord.  1 Corinthians 6:20…for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

• Why didn’t I win? Am I who I make myself?  No, God works in me to do according to His will, His purpose, and His plan – whether I’m TOTY or not! Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

• Do I fit in?  Well, first of all does it really matter? We are in our classrooms to make a difference in students’ lives first and foremost!  Shine like a diamond in a gold mine. God has us where we are for a purpose.  We are where we are because He is in control of every facet of our lives.  Romans 12:1  And be not conformed to this world. And Daniel 4:35 says, He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” 

• What could I have done better?  We all can improve, even the king or queen of the ball, also known as TOTY, and additionally, we can learn from each other. Proverbs 27:17  Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Deep, cleansing breaths are not just good for the body!  They are good for the soul and spirit as well.  Remember that! 🙂

One last thing to think about when these thoughts are scurrying about in our minds is to ask ourselves, How do our students identify us?  If we can honestly critique ourselves in a fashion affirming that yes(!) indeed most of the time our students i.d. Christ in us, then hey teachers(!) we’re doing the job God would have us do.  Can I get an amen?!  Yes. Yes. Yes!

Now shout HALLELUJAH!  Teacher of the year, or teacher of God… which do you identify with teachers?  Let’s whip out our identification! Is it stamped…??? We all receive an A when we teach for God and we only are able do that when our identity is found in Him and Him above all else.

God bless you dear teachers.  Put the titles, or lack thereof, to the side and stay devoted!

 

 

“And the point is?…”

What’s the point?  Why am I here everyday in this classroom?  Have you ever asked yourself these questions my fellow teachers?

If so, then today’s video blog is just for you.  I know sometimes it’s difficult to see the forest from the trees, isn’t it?  Nevertheless, it’s imperative we do!

One of my students asked me this very same question, which as you’ll see, caught me off guard.  As I thought more and more about it though, I knew that I knew it is a question teachers are asking themselves.

With the state of education being what is today, I read more and more of good teachers, even highly credentialed, award winning teachers, calling it quits.   As Christian teachers we can’t, indeed we mustn’t, take this route.  Eternity is weighing in the balance!

I’m praying the blog encourages you in the “everydayness” of what you’re doing in your classroom.  Remember, by remaining devoted to God we will be better teachers!

#HangethThouInThere

8 To Be Great…Pt. 4 Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Psalm 40:1-4

Hello teachers,

What does Rocky Balboa have to do with 8 To Be Great? He embodies the next 2 traits of successful people that we are taking a look at today on the blog.  I’m thinking we, as teachers, need to be encouraged to do these 2 things as well, especially when we get stuck.  Are you stuck?  If you are, I hope this will help you to get out of that pit!

God bless you in your classroom,

Donna

8 To Be Great! Pt. 3 The Sooty Shearwater…Say What???!!! Hebrews 12:2; 6:10

Hello to all my fellow teachers out there!

We can learn a lot from God’s creation…just take a look around. He paints a picture for us just about everywhere we turn! I love that we can use it in the classroom to be better teachers too.:) It’s all in His grand and glorious plan for all of us together and individually. Today, I talk about just that in a little bird God created called the Sooty Shearwater. Can’t wait to hear what you think about it! As I ended the vlog today, I mentioned that next week we would be continuing 8 To Be Great with part 4 about PUSHing. Well, next week is Thanksgiving break. YAY! So I will post a new vlog the week after the break. God bless you and enjoy your days off. Refresh and revive yourself in the Lord so you can stay focused on the journey. Hint, hint!…
See you soon at devotionsforteachers.org.

God bless you,
Donna

8 To Be Great Pt. 2 Work & Improve…How do you want to pop?! Colossians 3:23-24

Parable of the Popcorn

8 To Be Great…Pt.1 Passion! Romans 12:11-12

Hello Fellow Teachers!
I have attached links for the 2 prior blogs mentioned in today’s blog-cast – Wanted: Spirit Filled Teachers and Joy Stealers.
Best wishes for you in your classroom now and always,
Donna McBrayer

Tolerance: Agree to Disagree Joshua 24:15

Run It By The Lord! Isaiah 30:21

Arresting Apathy! Revelation 2:4-5