God wants us to honor teachers

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. JOHN 13:13 NLT
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. PSALM 25:14 NLT
We ask you, Christian brothers, to respect those who work among you. The Lord has placed them over you and they are your teachers. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12 NLT

The Bible teaches us to honor teachers by…

Recognizing the job’s challenges

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. JAMES 3:1 NLT

Celebrating teachers as a gift from God

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ROMANS 12:7 NLT

Respecting their authority

“Students are not greater than their teacher” MATTHEW 10:24 NLT

Paying them well for their work

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 1 TIMOTHY 5:17 NLT
Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. GALATIANS 6:6 NLT

Paying attention as they teach

“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” LUKE 8:18 NLT

Attending faithfully

When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. LUKE 2:42 NLT
Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it. PROVERBS 22:6 NLV

All teachers should be honored but not all teachers should be followed

Jesus said… “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” MATTHEW 7:24-27 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. Who is a teacher (school, work, church, etc.) who has made the biggest impact on your life and what did they teach you?
2. What can you do to honor the teachers in your life today?
3. What teachers are you currently following (websites, newscasters, YouTubers, pastors, etc.)? Are there any that you might need to unfollow? If so, why?
4. How does your church and/or school attendance reveal whether or not you honor the importance of instruction?
5. What in your life or schedule has to change to make room for regular, Godly instruction (church, community group, The Debrief, etc.)?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a space where you can be alone with God. Reflect on a time when you were taught well by someone: A teacher who helped you understand something, someone who helped you see something in a different way, someone who patiently led you when you needed help. Spend a few minutes sitting in that moment. Ask God if that person reflected in some way how Jesus desires to lead and teach you. End by thanking God for your time together.