TEACHERS AND THEIR INFLUENCE

Who is influencing your child? A child’s early years lay a spiritual foundation for life. In our modern society, many things will influence your child. The Barna Group study found parents were still the major influencers of children.

This position was however now being shared with media and laws.

School came in at the second level. The 1,200 hours spent each year in school over roughly 12 years are seen as very influential.

Christians may be surprised that church was further down the list. The 100 hours or so a year in church can be very significant, yet other influences are seen as greater. Your child’s teachers will have a significant influence.

Luke 6:40 “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”

Teachers are significant role models. Your child will imitate, or become like, their teachers. As parents it is important we help ensure our children have suitable role models. The Apostle Paul himself encourages us to “follow me as I am also of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

In selecting a school parents are choosing who they will partner with for the education of their child. Education is more than gaining knowledge about the world around us. It is learning how to respond to and live out that knowledge. Different teachers do have very different understandings of what is important in life. The Apostle Paul highlights the foundational differences between Christians and non-Christians when he asks the question,

“What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”

Paul urges Christians to not “be yoked” together with unbelievers. He urges us to still be in the world yet to avoid situations where we are obliged to follow or adopt the values of unbelievers. Non-Christian teachers can be dedicated and passionate yet they cannot lead our children into biblical truth about our world and their place in it. Jesus also points out the obvious: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Won’t they both fall into a pit?” Luke 6:38

In Christian schools parents, teachers, and church members can work together to positively influence children. Other parents in the Christian school community will generally share a similar view of the world. They will become additional role models to your children. This sense of community and common values can make the role of parenting much easier.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Choosing a school that employs practicing Christians as teachers give parents a greater say in who will be a role model for their children. Christian teachers are not perfect. Nor do they have all the answers. Yet they are part of a wider Christian community working together with, and on behalf of, parents.