The Missing Pieces: Understanding Students Beyond the Surface

Remembering what we don’t know about our students can transform our teaching approach, fostering in us a heart of discipleship and mentorship rather than “checklist” teaching. Our job as Christian educators is to train the next generation for Christ! Are we so quick to live selfishly in the classroom that we forget to look at the needs of our students? I urge you to consider your students’ needs as their teacher.

Do you take the time to talk with your students throughout the day? Or is your time with them strictly focused on academics? Do you only talk to them when they do something wrong or when you are giving them directions? These are important things. After all, you are a teacher! But I urge you to consider the need for balance.

In Scripture, Christ gives us a model of how we are to instruct. God sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, showing us the greatest love we can ever know! We also understand that God is just; therefore, he must punish sin. Christ’s attributes model high love and high discipline toward us.

Christ desires a deep relationship with us. Aren’t you glad that he doesn’t just speak to us through Scripture when we do things that are wrong? He also listens to our prayers and encourages us as we seek to honor him. He desires that we talk to him and share our blessings, our deepest aches, and our day-to-day life. He wants a relationship with us!

I believe that we can model these characteristics of Christ in our classroom. Do your students only get spoken to when they do things that are wrong? Have you taken the time to talk to them about things that do not involve school? Have you taken moments out of your day to give a listening ear to the thoughts, concerns, and blessings that they want to share with you? When we carry a heart of discipleship and mentorship, it changes the way we teach.

In my own life, I must make sure that I do not carry only my agenda in the classroom. I do not want to be so rigid and concerned with what I must do that I forget to take time to tie heartstrings with my students.

May the Lord bless your ministry as you educate for Christ!