We can always find our pastor’s wife upstairs every Sunday in a tucked-away room, teaching four-and-five-year-olds about the Lord. Many people in the sanctuary don’t even know that space exists, let alone that she’s in it. The little room holds a table, six chairs, two wall shelves, and a cupboard. Not much. Her flannelgraph board stands on the table, ready to present the lesson. A bulletin board features the completed crafts that brought past lessons to life. Every Sunday, she is prepared for whatever children show up. When I enter to collect the little ones, they are richly engaged and reluctant to leave.
Sunday school teachers matter to God. If we doubt that, consider the book of Nehemiah, who recorded his efforts to rebuild ruined Jerusalem so it would honor God. Amid chapters about building walls and combatting enemies, that faithful man of God wrote chapter eight to describe the importance of teaching God’s Word. Every person capable of understanding was called to meet to listen, discuss, and learn about their Lord. Ezra, the priest, read the writings aloud, and various Levites answered people’s questions and explained the passages. The Levites listened to and obeyed God and knew His Scripture.
God wants us to know how much He values those who bring clarity to His Word as teachers. In that chapter, He listed such ones by name: Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah. For all eternity, these individuals are honored in Scripture, named personally by God, for making His Word understandable to ordinary people. My pastor’s wife’s name is recorded in heaven for that same commitment.
Don’t take teachers for granted. Pray for them faithfully and encourage others to attend to the truths they share.
Kim Robinson is a former schoolteacher who has taught in rural and central Oregon, Alaska, and with Mercy Ships in Africa. She currently lives in Salem, Oregon, where she is delighted to serve the Lord as a mom, grandma, writer, copy editor, and encourager of others.