Introduction to teaching and learning:

A case study of awise effective Christian teacher

Paulpart 1

Prepared by A. Gibson 2012

Specific learning intentions:• Examine Paul the apostle as a case

study of a wise and effective teacher, as revealed in Colossians chapter 1 of the New Testament.

Criteria for success:• Be able to describe 10

characteristics and/or practices of Paul as a wise and effective Christian teaching- that we might apply to our lives.

Global learning intention: To discuss the characteristics and practices of a wise and effective teacher and apply these to our lives and context today.

I believe the Bible is an important resource for teacher

education today

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Whom we preach , warning every man, and teaching every

man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect

in Christ Jesus:

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his

working, which works in me mightily .

Colossians 1:28-29

Key Christian teacher education concept: The wise teacher

Background: ‘Colosse was a city in the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor) in what is now Turkey. The city was situated on the Lycus River… about 125 miles east of Ephesus… on the trade route from west to east… later the main road was changed and moved north near Hierapolis and Laodicea.

These two cities then grew in importance and surpassed Colosse in wealth and prestige. Colosse declined to a relatively small, unimportant village.

Christian work in Colosse was done by a man named Epaphras… Epaphras had probably gone to Ephesus where he heard the gospel of Jesus from Paul. Afterwards he returned to his home in Colosse to start a church there…

Annotated ref: http://www.christianinconnect.com/colossians.htm

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The church of Colosse appears to have consisted of mostly Gentile converts. Philemon was one of its members, to whom Paul wrote the letter we know now as the Book of Philemon.

The letter to the Colossians, … was a letter addressed to a church which Paul had not established himself.

Most of the members were unknown to Paul, as it appears from Colossians 2:1 in which he wrote:

“For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you and for them at

Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.’

The letter addresses a range of false teachings… was carried to Colosse by Tychicus and accompanied by the runaway slave Onesimus (see letter to Philemon, who was a member of the church in Colosse)… approximately 60-61 A.D.

Annotated ref: http://www.christianinconnect.com/colossians.htm

Something to ponder: This is an interesting example of ‘distance’ or flexi learning; Paul communicating via letters hand

delivered by a fellow worker. Paul hoped for a face to face ‘intensive’

teaching opportunity if released from captivity in Rome.

The wise teacher’s view of himself and a sense of calling to the profession…

Verse 1:1 ‘Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ- a sent one, descriptive of his work not office, not a flattering religious title. Paul was not promoting himself but introducing himself as a sent one under the leadership of Jesus the Messiah. The student is not above his Master. Team work… includes Timothy.

By the will of God. Paul’s view of himself as teacher was that his work was not merely as a job but a calling. His vocation was inseparable from his spiritual life.

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Thinking question: Recall the Damascus experience- from Saul to Paul. You can’t be a Christian teacher without a real conversion experience and coming to know Jesus as Lord. What do you perceive is God’s call and will for your life?

‘To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are in Colosse:’ verse 1:2

Respectful toward his learners… Greeted them as God sees them ‘sanctified ones’ and as equals ‘brothers in Christ’… he saw them spiritually.

‘Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ verse 1:2

… two awesome concepts to sustain and encourage the ‘learners’… Paul as a model Christian educator emphasizes these relational blessings – why do you think grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus are so important to be mentioned up front?

Thinking questions: Why are these behaviours of a

Christian teacher towards his/her learners important? What might the

opposite look like, sound like, feel like?

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The wise teacher’s manner of addressing his learners…

The wise teacher’s response to student learning achievement…

‘We give thanks to God and the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you… since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have to all the saints…’ vs 1:3-4

As a teacher Paul reveals how he has been influenced by the learners at Colosse– moved to prayer, first Godward then in vs 1:9 ‘for you.’

Don’t under-estimate the influence of modelling prayer life to students.

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Something to ponder: Paul reminds us that any success in Christian teaching is an opportunity for

thankfulness to God – not for pride and self-glory. Without him we can

do nothing (John 15:5).

The wise teacher’s source of motivation…

‘For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…’ verse 1:5

Wise and effective Christian teaching and learning recognises the importance of meaningful spiritual motivation.

In this verse the motivation is extrinsic – the promise of an eternal home and life in God’s heavenly kingdom (not to earn it but the glad expectation of it).

We all need motivation- something to encourage us to engage with learning and to apply it to our lives.

Thinking question: What’s your motivation for

studying to become a teacher?Think about motivation in a range of ways… in terms of

people, rewards, goals, heart, and service…

Fruitful teaching‘…and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you since the day you heard of it and knew the grace of God in truth.’ verse 1:6

Fruitful Christian teaching is teaching that transforms lives. In this case the fruitfulness is firstly attributed to the ‘truth of the gospel’ that was taught to them and secondly when they ‘knew the grace of God in truth.’

How well do we understand the truth of the gospel and the grace of God? There are many false teachers who would corrupt the word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17; Galatians 1:7).

Wise teachers give credit where credit is due to other teachers. Education involves many teachers.‘As you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ… who declared unto us your love in the Spirit.’ verse 1:7-8

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Thinking question: Read quietly on your own Luke

8: 4-15. Can you recall an example in your life when the teaching of God’s word was particularly fruitful? Why?

What happened?