What a good teacher must know….

Jesus Christ placed a heavy responsibility upon His disciples to teach the people of God good things (John 21:15-17). I found several verses regarding teaching in Bible. And I also found about teacher. I conclude that false teachers have caused much pain and suffering for mankind and good teachers have done the opposite.

For sure, I never have a good teacher on to my note for all of my times of schooling*. When I was junior high, Ms, Oetomo, my math teacher made me brings 8 books for 2 hours of her class. Why 8 books? She divided math in 3 sessions. In each session, we have to have homework note book, and exercise book. It made it 6 books already; the other 2 books were text books. Ugh…..she gave me ennui! She loved me anyway, with her own specific way in showing it. She just was not able reflected a love for learning to me. That acts didn’t bring me a desire to learn.

So, what are the qualifications of a good teacher? A good teacher must know the value of what he is passing on to the students, and he must be a good example to the student. It means a good teacher must place himself as a student. It would have been great if she knew that brings so many books killed my hunger for having fun of mathematic!

Last week, in church I sat next to a teacher. After sermon we have a small conversation about Sunday school. I gave her my opinion that Sunday school teachers have no right calling children to attend his/her class. It is parent’s duty to bring their children to Sunday school. If parents do not give permission or don’t send their children to Sunday school class, it is their right. She said that I was too tort.

James 3:1, - I found this verse really addressing to those who purported to teach the words of God-, but let’s see what it states. “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment”.

Don’t get me wrong, by saying that verse only addressing to pastors, or those who have titled “a teacher of God’s words” because every parents are teachers for their children right?, parents are the first who ought to teach their children of God’s words, how to be obedient, patient, inquisitive and respectful.

It just, being a teacher means bring a big responsibility. Teacher is not just a title, and teacher is not 9 to 5 worker! I wrote this because their pupils will look up to their teacher life’s as a role model. So it demands such a quality.

Jesus was called a good teacher (Mark 10:17). He teaches us how to pray (Luke 11:1). He showed Martha that life would be much better for those who listened to Him (Luke 10: 38-42), He gives knowledge of heavens, of what is happy is all about, and he is there with them answering their questions. And one thing, Jesus gladly taught people without criticism.

^{* 1 day when u read this, put in mind, that I really do respect teachers and what she/he taught me.}

^2008-04-27