Resting in God’s Authority in the Classroom

I well remember my first year as a teacher. The Lord carried me through it and enabled me each day. He provided supportive faculty and administration. He gave me strength for the late nights studying and grading and for the early mornings preparing my classroom.

But I also remember a great deal of striving. Striving to prove that I was a good teacher. Striving to earn my authority. Striving not to fail.

At the beginning of my second year, my principal gave an in-service presentation that set me on a new path in my teaching ministry, one marked by freedom from fleshly striving. He reminded our faculty of the sufficiency of God’s authority. After hearing this talk, I began to rest in God’s authority in my classroom instead of striving to produce my own. I started to delight in my calling as a teacher. I began to enjoy the precious children in my care for exactly who God created them to be. I was free to grow in love and patience toward my students because I was not carrying the weight of striving anymore.

Teacher, God has provided so much rest for you.

Rest because you do not need to earn or prove your authority in the classroom.

God has given parents the responsibility and authority to teach their children to love and follow Him. As a teacher, you are partnering with parents in the education and discipleship of their children. Your authority does not come from your classroom management skills, nor does it come from your knowledge or years of experience. All authority ultimately belongs to God. As a Christian school teacher, you have authority in the classroom as you fulfill the role of partnership with parents. Knowing your position will free you to lead your students with humility and love.

Rest because God is with you as you disciple your students.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

In the great commission, Jesus commands believers to make disciples. A commission from God comes with His enabling power. You have been commissioned to make disciples by Christ, who has all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus promised both His power and presence until the mission is complete. God is with you through the continual indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You have everything you need for the work He has for you.

Rest because God’s authority will not fail.

You can rest in God’s authoritative Word as the sure foundation for each concept that you teach your students. Your mind is finite and your knowledge is limited. Because of your human frailty, you will struggle at times—but you do not need to carry the weight of being the authority for truth. Though you are fallible, God’s Word will never fail, and you can fully trust it. As you faithfully serve Him, God is actively working to accomplish His purpose. So instead of striving in the flesh, faithfully lead your students as you rest in God’s authority. His promises and enabling power are sure.

Enjoy the sweet rest God has provided for you through His own sufficiency.