Teaching today may look and feel differently than it did over 2000 years ago when Jesus walked the Earth but the same foundational principles apply to teachers, students and educational classrooms all over the world today. Jesus was and still is our greatest teacher role model. Here are 26 bible verses for teachers that serve to encourage, inspire, and express appreciation for teachers. In addition, there are powerful bible verses about teaching the next generation, bible verses about education and wisdom as well as the responsibility of teachers in the bible.
How Have Teachers Impacted Your Life?
Take a second to stroll down memory lane. Think back to your own days in the classroom.
Can you remember a teacher that made a significant difference in your life?
Maybe that teacher influenced your future career path or maybe they believed in you when no one else did.
Teaching is not an easy job and one that is not taken lightly. Molding and shaping the hearts, minds and lives of the future generation is a gift, privilege and a tremendous responsibility.
What Makes Teachers So Special?
Teachers are uniquely gifted, called and equipped by the Lord.
I don’t know if you have visited an elementary school classroom lately, but teachers are like superhumans! I truly believe that God has given them superpowers in the classroom to truly do transformational work!
I’m always blown away when I watch our teachers interact with our students. There is something indescribable that happens that only convinces me further that the Lord has truly called them to this work.
Why Are Teachers Growing Tired and Weary?
But, as with all life callings, there are drawbacks. No profession is easy or perfect.
Teachers can grow tired and weary. So many people think teachers have it so easy because they get time off during the school year as well as summer vacation.
I have never understood how in the world people can say such things!
Have they ever walked a day in a teacher’s shoes?
Have they ever spent longer than 5 minutes in a classroom?
Have they ever watched a teacher manage a classroom of 25 students while lovingly caring for and correcting a child with special needs?
There are so many parts of a teacher’s day that are not visible to the onlooking world. When a teacher leaves school in the afternoon, many teachers are just beginning a new phase of their day.
There are parent phone calls to field, emails to return, papers to grade, lessons to plan and professional development that needs to occur.
A teacher’s job doesn’t have clear boundaries. There is rarely a definitive “beginning” or “ending” to their day.
I have had the privilege of knowing many wonderful educators throughout my life and several I have grown to love and I am blessed to now call friends.
To them, teaching is more than ‘just a job.’ Teaching is truly a part of their heart. It is not just something they do. Teaching is a part of who they are at their core.
These men and women show up day after day to not only teach our children academically; but more importantly, they are:
- Helping shape their character
- They are promoting growth and development
- They are building social, emotional skills, &problem solving skills
- They are providing a safe place for children
- They are helping to build confidence and self esteem
- They provide emotional and spiritual support for their students
- They create a home away from home environment for many students who are not fortunate enough to have a healthy home to return to each day.
Lifelong Impact of Teachers on Our Lives
I love, respect and admire teachers for the way they poured into my life growing up and the way they are now pouring into the lives of my two children.
Many of my teachers had a profound impact on my life and continue to do so today. I’ve been out of school for quite some time now and I have continued relationships with teachers that I had in both elementary school and high school.
These individuals have watched me grow up, graduate, get married, start a family, and weather some pretty challenging life storms.
These individuals started off as teachers and evolved into friends, mentors, prayer warriors and life long cheerleaders!
A teacher’s job truly never ends.
How to Creatively Share Bible Verses for Teachers That Will Encourage, Inspire & Uplift
With all the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming school year, teachers are in need of our prayers now more than ever before.
They need to be encouraged and uplifted with God’s truth and reminded of their honor and responsibility that they have as teachers, teaching the next generation.
These encouraging bible verses for teachers can be shared in a variety of simple, yet fun ways!
Be intentional in the school year ahead to use these bible verses as a way to pour into the individuals that are pouring into your children on a daily basis.
You don’t have to be a biblical scholar or teacher to share the Word of God with a teacher in your life. Get creative with these bible verses for teachers and watch how God takes his word to change a teacher’s day and even life!
- You can include these bible verses in a sweet thinking of you card.
- Have a little fun with sticky notes
- Consider giving an encouraging book or prayer devotional to a special teacher in your life for a special occasion or maybe for no reason at all!
Encouraging Bible Verses for Teachers
What is the responsibility of teachers in the bible? What does the bible say about teaching youth? Let’s take a look at what scripture says about education.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, NIV)
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40, ESV)
“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:2-3, NIV)
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”(Luke 6:40, NIV)
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25, NIV)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8, ESV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16, NIV)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13, ESV).
“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just” (Psalm 37:30, NIV)
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9, ESV)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8, NIV)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)
“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:23-24, NIV).
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”(Galatians 6:9, NIV)
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NIV)
“Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”(Exodus 4:12, ESV)
“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” (Psalm 34:11, ESV)
“for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young” (Proverbs 1:2-4, NIV)
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26, ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, ESV)
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” (Matthew 10:24, ESV)
Why These Bible Verses for Teachers Need to be Shared
Teachers are human. They are not perfect.
However, I have personally known so many to be some of them of the most selfless, compassionate, and generous individuals who give so much of themselves to their students on a daily basis.
But, they do get tired. They experience discouragement.
Teachers pour so much of themselves into their work; oftentimes at the expense of themselves.
Their work is so incredibly personal.
Teachers help their students feel seen, loved and accepted. They meet our children where they are to help them get where they need to be. Teachers help their students embrace and celebrate their own God given uniqueness while harnessing their potential and realizing their gifting.
What teachers do, goes far beyond the books and the classroom.
Teachers are truly the hands and feet of Jesus in our schools.
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