Respectful Sunday School teaching
by Jacob on February 13, 2006, under Insights, Religion
Almost as bad as the students who share too much, are the teachers who share too much. The over-verbose student shows disrespect for his fellow students by stealing and misusing their time. The teacher can likewise show disrespect when he steals unjustly the time of others. This can especially be the case in sensitive situations such as Sunday School.
Firstly, the Sunday School teacher can show disrespect to God when he puts his own theories or teachings above those which are directed by Him Omnipotent, the Holy Spirit, or His inspired leaders. I worry when a teacher says, “We aren’t going to use the manual much today.” A humble teacher will frequently use the teacher’s guide, the scriptures, or other direction by the Spirit when teaching.
Secondly, the teacher can show respect to the students by allowing them ample time to ponder the subject material and share, appropriately, any insight they may have on the subject. Teachers should not worry about a bit of silence when asking questions. With this silence, the teacher respectfully allows the student to think about the subject material and learn through their own reflection, and through the Spirit.
Lastly, teachers should show respect for other teachers, as well as the students, by ending their class on time. When the teacher exceeds the allotted time, they, pridefully, demonstrate that they are more important then the following teacher.
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February 14th, 2006 on 10:49 am
Dearest Jacob,
I am teaching this Sunday, church begins at 9:40 am.
You should try coming to my Sunday School class sometime, I promise to not voice my own opinions, although I have been known to quote the Muppets, the Bee Gees, and other pillars of wisdom. And also, we do not usually have people who drone on, mostly because I interrupt them.