The Christian EducatorA publication of North Valley Baptist Schools

Before You Teach

By David Murphy

For years I have reminded myself of some simple thoughts before teaching a class, preaching an elementary or teen chapel, teaching an adult Sunday School class, or even preaching to the church folks.

1. Teach as though it may be your last time.  It may be!  You will never have another day like this.  Whether in school or in Sunday school, each time you teach realize the brevity of life.  (James 4:14)

2. Teach with a tear!  Think about the situation in which your pupils live.  Some may come from broken homes. Some may come from homes where alcohol and disharmony are a normal way of life.  Before you begin your class and before the students arrive, no matter how busy you are, pause to consider the fragility of life.  (Jude 22)

3. Teach with enthusiasm!  Often times I think of the Visine commercial about “dry eyes.”  The man speaks with a monotone voice. Listening to him just for a brief commercial is difficult enough.  Could you imagine a teacher teaching a whole lesson that way?  If the leader isn’t excited about it, the follower will not see a need for it.  Teach because of the believability of the material!

4. Teach to the future generation!  I know this has been said before, but it is so vital it is worth repeating.  In your class are the future preachers, teachers, deacons, and leaders of our churches.  Your impact and influence may not be seen until years later.  Your labor is not in vain and it does profit.  Let us stay faithful to the Lord because of the profitability of what we are doing.  (Gal. 6:9)

5. Teach using visuals!  With today’s technology, people are visual-oriented more than ever before.  The purpose of your lesson is not only to teach it, but also to transfer it.  They are not attaining it if they are not retaining it.  God used the visual of a bow in the sky to remind us of a promise not to destroy the earth again.  It was a visual used many years ago that reminds us of a truth today.  Be creative; put some thought into the preparation of your lesson.  It will be worth it!  Let us teach to their level of attainability.”

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