I’m taking the month of September off from blogging (for the most part), so for the next 4 weeks, a few of my good friends, well-versed in word studies will be writing for the letters S, T, U, and V.
Today, please welcome Stephanie from Healthy Homeschool 101.
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Thank you to my dear friend, Marcy for inviting me to participate in her “Blogging Through the Alphabet” series! My letter for this is “T”.
Teacher. What do you think of when you hear that word? Or, is it more appropriate to ask…who comes to mind? I believe most of us would immediately have a past memory of one of our school teacher’s come up. I also believe it is sufficient to say that it will either be a great memory or a terrible one. Our school years are such pivotal moments in our lives since childhood is the most influential time of our life. It is either the really good or the really bad experiences we had that seem to be etched in our memories forever.
I have both types of teachers come to mind; as I am sure you do too! One who was my 1st Grade Teacher, Mrs. Ford. I remember her thick glasses she wore on her aging, yet kind face. She was the most patient and caring teacher to me that I declared her as my favorite teacher throughout my Elementary School years. Because of her positive influence, I wanted to learn from her. Fast forward to High School, I remember my Chemistry teacher, Mr. Roberts who always had Tab soda cans lined up along the chalkboard. He consistently had a tired and grumpy countenance and seemed to have little concern for his students. His lectures were boring and uninspiring. Because of his negative influence, I never appreciated Chemistry and did just enough to pass the class.
Now that I am a homeschool Mama, I can choose what kind of “Teacher” I want to be for my children. I can either positively inspire them to have a love of learning and a love for God or I can steer them away with my selfish ambitions and attitude. I’ll be honest and say that my selfishness and attitude can hold true more times than I care to admit but God is faithful and working with me daily on that. So, it is important for me to truly understand my role as a “Teacher” for my children….yet I believe we all have this role in one way or another too! This role can fit in so many areas of our lives that we can study this term to our hearts content. Although, I will be specific having in mind what I want to get out of it for my role as a “Teacher” for my children at this time.
Research:
In the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary, “Teacher” is defined as:
TE’ACHER, noun One who teaches or instructs.
1. An instructor; a preceptor; a tutor; one whose business or occupation is to instruct others.
2. One who instructs others in religion; a preacher; a minister of the gospel. The teachers in all the churches assembled themselves.
3. One who preaches without regular ordination.
To dig deeper in that definition, I searched the terms teach, instruct and occupation.
A few definitions I chose from “teach” for this are:
TEACH, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive taught. [Latin doceo; dico, dicto, and both these and the Gr. to show, may be of one family; all implying sending, passing, communicating, or rather leading, drawing.
1. To instruct; to inform; to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant.
7. To inform or admonish; to give previous notice to.
For he taught his disciples, and said–Mark 9:1.
10. To counsel and direct. Habakkuk 2:19.
The words admonish and counsel seemed appropriate for further study from this term too.
ADMON’ISH, verb transitive [Latin admoneo, ad and moneo, to teach, warn, admonish ]
2. To counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise.
COUNSEL, verb transitive [Latin]
2. To exhort, warn, admonish, or instruct. We ought frequently to counsel our children against
the vices of the age.
They that will not be counseled, cannot be helped.
Next, “instruct” is defined as:
INSTRUCT’, verb transitive [Latin instruo, instructum; in and struo, to set or to put on, to furnish. The Latin struo is contracted from struco or strugo. See Destroy.]
1. To teach; to inform the mind; to educate; to impart knowledge to one who was destitute of it. The first duty of parents is to instruct their children in the principles of religion and morality.
5. To model; to form; to prepare.
MODEL, noun mod’l. [Latin modulus, from modus.]
6. A pattern; any thing to be imitated.
Lastly, “Occupation” is defined as:
OCCUPA’TION, noun [Latin occupatio.]
1. The act of taking possession.
3. That which engages the time and attention; employment; business. He devotes to study all the time that his other occupations will permit.
Reason:
Searching the Bible with some of these terms for biblical insight, Ecclesiastes 12:9 NIV says, “Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.” The Lord is our Master Teacher and I love what His Word says in Psalm 32:8 (KJV), “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” I am not alone in this role.
A letter from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NKJV) also tells us, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:9 states, “We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” These two verses are important for those we teach to know and understand this responsibility that is placed upon us as well.
Finally, one of my favorite verses comes from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)…”All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” He makes me adequate for this role.
Relate:
My role as a teacher for my children is to instruct them, counsel them in ways that are right, be a positive influence in their life that reflects Christ and realize the responsibility I have to be in study myself so that I am always learning as well; which they will be inspired to learn by imitating me. I pray that I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me in this journey of teaching my children in His ways and that I will imitate Him so that they can grow in wisdom with a heart for the Lord too. That I can inspire them and equip them with all they need to learn to live a life devoted to Him as they use what they have learned in their lives for His Glory. For me to always know that I am not alone in this role and allow Him to help me. I know that God has a purpose and plan for their lives. I don’t know what it is but I trust that whatever they choose to do as they grow up, that His Divine Providence will direct and guide them for His purpose.
I am truly grateful to the Lord for giving me this responsibility even when it may feel overwhelming at times. By giving me these children, it’s proof that He trusts me and will equip me through this homeschooling journey. As I daily cling to that in thought and in prayer, may the Lord bless my role as a teacher to my children. Oh, what an immense responsibility that He has bestowed on me! May I reflect my Master Teacher and continually learn from Him so that I can be the teacher He wants me to be for these precious lives He has placed in my care!
Picture taken from the booklet, The Christian Idea of the Child by Carol G. Adams.
