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Support Your Local Teachers
by Carol F. Krau
Brenda, who teaches youth, says, "People watch you. Are you walking the walk? As a teacher, you examine your own faith and incorporate it into your life."
Dale, a second-grade teacher, believes that "teachers are a part of the big picture. God's grace is with us."
Brenda and Dale are representative of a number of teachers who believe that teaching shapes their own faith as much as it does the faith of the people they teach. And they want to continue to grow in their relationship with God.
What do teachers say helps them grow in faith and serve Christ through the teaching ministry?
- Covenant groups -- small groups for supporting one another through study, prayer, and reflection.
- Disciple Bible Study -- a comprehensive, in-depth study of Scripture that focuses on living as Christian disciples.
- Continuing education opportunities -- knowledge building and skill development to improve planning and implementing learning experiences.
- Prayer partners -- people in the congregation who regularly pray for and with teachers.
- Participation in mission and outreach opportunities to serve in places such as food pantries, homeless shelters, or community centers.
- Spiritual growth retreats -- time apart for practicing prayer, Bible study, and theological reflection.
Through experiences such as these, teachers feel valued and supported by their congregation and better prepared to serve as teachers.
Carol F. Krau (ckrau@gbod.org) is a director of Christian education at the General Board of Discipleship. Her article first appeared in the July-August 1997 issue of
Interpretermagazine (published by United Methodist Communications). It is used with permission.
Originally posted in October 1998
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