The young Sunday school superintendent looked over his assembled faculty and called the weekly meeting of officers and teachers to order. He quoted the scripture he was using: “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
“We meet here each week,” he said, “because we want to be good teachers. This is an ambition each of us can realize. With the help of the Master Teacher we can all become what he wants us to be. Consider these qualities:
1. A good teacher is pleasant, carrying an atmosphere in which work is a pleasure and difficult problems are just things to be conquered. It is a natural attitude with many teachers which comes from a genuine love for people. If it is not natural, it may be cultivated.
2. A good teacher is interesting. It is a never failing source of surprise to discover what interesting stories, illustrations, pictures and information can be found on every lesson when you start early in the week and look for it.
3. A good teacher cares for the members of the class. Notes and calls, acts of thoughtful kindness, may be small in themselves, but they mean much to the recipients. They are possible to every teacher.
4. A good teacher knows the class—the hopes and fears, ambitions, longings of each member. A good teacher is not blind. Faults, failings, shortcomings are seen, but so are all the potentials and possibilities for good.
5. A good teacher knows the truth of the old saying, “We grow to resemble what we admire most.” Admiration means imitation, and the constant prayer of the growing teacher is “Help me to be what I want them to become.”
6. Never in history have so many helps and such fine equipment been available. Anyone who wants to be a good teacher can do so. In desire, action is born and that which we earnestly desire we will seek after.
In a department store last week as I waited in line at the checkout counter, I saw a little girl nudge her mother and point toward a person across the store. With a glow on her face, and in a low voice bursting with pride, she said, “That’s my teacher!”
Where could one look for a more meaningful place in life? And where could one find a greater reward?
“A good teacher affects eternity.”
Clyde Nichols is a retired minister, having served First Christian Church in Temple for 27 years as senior minister. He is the author of three books of devotionals and writes a religious column for several Texas newspapers, including The Reporter.
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