STP Devotional for the Week of 10/21/24
I found an article online that detailed the qualities of a good teacher, and I thought we’d see how Jesus stacked up against Google’s standards.
First, they said a good teacher has a broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum, and standards. Jesus meets this requirement without even trying.
• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1
When Jesus was twelve, he stayed behind in the temple as his parents left for home.
• After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Luke 2:46-47
Jesus is at the beginning of time, and he is well-versed on everything that had developed on the earth from the time of its creation until He returns.
Second, a good teacher should have enthusiasm, a caring attitude, and a love of learning. Jesus was always teaching. His enthusiasm for saving people won him his name as teacher and healer. There are verses upon verses telling how Jesus loved and cared for the people he encountered.
• Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1
• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Third, a good teacher is skilled in communication, listening, adaptability, empathy, and patience. Jesus communicated in parables. He knew his audience and made sure he was speaking about things in a way they would understand. Jesus taught approximately 40 distinct parables in the gospels. He performed approximately 37 miracles. He listened to the questions his people had, and he answered them with great patience – sometimes 3 or 4 times!
Finally, a good teacher should have an engaging classroom presence and value in real-world learning. I think the best example of this is the story about feeding the 5,000. At the end of a long day of teaching, Jesus could have told the crowds to disperse, but instead chose to quiz his disciples on faith. He asked them what they had. “Five loaves and two fish,” they replied.
• Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Matthew 14:19-21
Jesus more than meets the list of attributes a good teacher should have, in fact, he exceeds them. He’s the best teacher we can have – showing us how we can navigate life’s trials with our focus on Him.
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