A Heart for Teaching

How can we be effective in our teachings? I dote on kids but I’m not naturally good in handling them. Will that excuse me from my responsibility? Not at all! By the Father’s grace, I’m learning, though gradually. In my almost two years of experience with children ministry, God taught me two things. First you must have a discerning heart. That ability comes only from God and it’s not something we can manufacture on our own. It comes out of spending time in prayer and study of His Word, personally knowing Him-His Holy nature in contrast to our fallen human nature. This should not come as a surprise to you but children, like Adults, do have a sinful nature (Pro_20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right). Has anyone taught a child to lie or to be selfish? And oh boy! They sure learn fast on how to manipulate their parents and teachers so that they may have their own ways. Like most of us, they want to feel good about themselves and I love showering them with compliments. However, we should be careful to give praises when it is due and not unnecessarily just to keep them. Does that mean that we should ignore what they say when we know for sure that they’re just bragging their good deeds? Certainly not! We can encourage them to carry on but point them to the One who should receive glory in all things. Personally, I think it essential to clearly communicate to children that they were made primarily for God’s glory and not for themselves nor their teachers and not even their parents (1 Cor. 10:31). Second, effectiveness in teaching requires constancy on your knees, solely dependent on God’s supernatural work between you and the kids. I’ve seen authoritative teachers, lenient teachers, entertaining teachers, and other sorts in between but none made the most impact in shaping a child’s spirituality than the one who habitually prays for his/her students.