Just a Teacher

The word for teacher in the Bible is "didaskalos" and refers to one who gives instruction. It denotes those who taught the truth in the churches. It is of utmost importance that those who teach be faithful to the Word they are teaching. Paul urges us to “accurately handle the word of truth” in 2 Timothy 2:15 and James reminds us of the serious responsibility of teaching in James 3:1 saying, “as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”

I want to thank and encourage you who give the time to teach. A teacher’s importance cannot be adequately calculated by any human standards. The results of your efforts can be eternal and God is the one who evaluates that.

Some who give their time to help present God’s word in our Bible classes sometimes think of themselves as ‘just a teacher.’ I offer the following poem as sincere appreciation to those of you who teach.

Tribute to a Bible Class Teacher
(author unknown)
An artist painted a picture on a canvas white and gray.
Great towering mountains bathed their feet in the ocean’s spray.
Then the world looked on in wonder at the scene her brush had traced,
And this work of art when years had passed, in a hall of fame was placed.
A teacher painted a picture with language in beauty wrought.
She told of a gentle Shepherd and the weak lost lamb He sought.
Yes, she drew a picture of Jesus with colorful words of art,
And the canvas she selected was a young child’s sinless heart.
The picture the artist painted of the mountain, sea and spray
Has, through drifting years, been tarnished by time’s rust and decay;
But the scenes the teacher painted with colored words of prayer
Upon a child’s receptive heart will stay forever there.
Upon a young child’s trusting heart they are etched for years to be,
For paintings of faithful teachers fade not through eternity.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony