It’s always time for a teacher to teach, and once again mothers are watching and waving to their children as they jump into cars or onto busses and trek off to school to begin another year of studies; teachers awaiting the cars and busses to unload their precious cargo are saying, “Here they come; oh, help me, Dear God, to be a teacher that can teach and that can mold the lives of these dear students into trophies of Your grace for time and eternity.”
Teaching is an unspeakable privilege—at any level. To pour one’s self into the soil of another soul so that a character is shaped for a destiny is an opportunity that is of inestimable worth.
Listen to a world-renowned teacher speak admirably in memory of a teacher– who made an indelible mark upon his mind and heart– in memorializing Dr. Howard Hendricks, who for sixty years taught pastors-in-training at Dallas Theological Seminary: “To us he was a hero we looked up to, a model we watched and studied. While none of us would say he was flawless, all of us would say he was authentic, and, in addition to that, he was a lot of fun to spend time with…we learned his unique secrets on how to mine the soil of the scriptures, which enabled us to discover the golden nuggets and the silver strands of truth, and then to mint all of that into valuable coins of communication that we could spend on others for the rest of our lives in order to reach out to those who were hungry, and to win the souls of those who had lost their way. There simply aren’t many people on this planet like Howie Hendricks.” (Part of the memorial service for Howard Hendricks, delivered by Chuck Swindoll, Chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, March 2, 2013)
The legacy of this man who was mostly known simply as “Prof:” “For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught more than ten thousand students. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored, his service on numerous boards, and his work as chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys, (1976-84), his reach was worldwide. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues…or…stadium rallies, Prof would confide, ‘It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.’”
Had anyone noticed Howard Hendricks as a youngster on the inner-city streets of Philadelphia where he grew up, it would probably have been unimaginable that “the kid” would grow up to be a teacher of teachers. Listen to how he got “hooked” in his own words: “Walt found me playing marbles on the street. That Sunday School teacher got involved with me and beat me in every game we played. I lost my marbles early in life: but when we were through, I wanted to follow him anywhere he went! He found eleven of us on the street. Nine of us are in full-time Christian service today. He never got past the sixth grade. I couldn’t tell you one thing he said. But I know this: he loved me!”
This Sunday School teacher who never made it past the sixth grade so touched the life of a child’s soul that the child would go on to become a teacher of ten thousand students most of whom would become pastors and teachers who would, in turn, touch the lives of untold numbers of souls, many of whom would become teachers of teachers. (This writer was privileged to sit under the teaching of Prof in the early 70’s at DTS, and I in turn for 50 years have tried to implement the principles he taught our class in the course “Advanced Methods of Teaching,” in teaching other teachers—I still have his class notes in my files!) And “the beat goes on!”
Speaking of teachers who have mentored and molded disciples to serve the Master Teacher, I know some who read this article could testify how the late Dr. Lee Roberson, founder of Tennessee Temple University and pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when that church and college/seminary was one of the 20th century’s eminent strongholds for the propagation of the gospel, missionary ministries and the planting of Bible peaching churches–both at home and abroad–had a very simple outline that he shared with students and pastors who were desirous of learning what made this great teacher tick. He called them “7 Essentials for Building a Great_______.” (often the blank was filled in with the words “Sunday School,” but Dr. Roberson would also fill it in with “Church,” “Class,” or other endeavor for Christ. Here is his simple outline: 1. Faith in the Word of God; 2. A Burden for Souls; 3. Standards for teachers; 4. Weekly Teachers and Officers Meetings; 5. A Weekly Visitation Program; 6. A Consistent Teaching Program; 7. Goals!
I have just been thinking about schools starting up again, teachers sharpening up their teaching tools, and students whose lives will be touched for greatness, goodness and hopefully for God through the faithful ministry of the teacher. I suppose almost every person who is reading this is at some level a “teacher,” one who is, as Dr. Hendricks defined the teacher, consumed with the “art of teaching (which) is the art of getting excited about the right thing.” So, teachers, get excited about making the art of teaching your passion for His Kingdom’s sake!
“And the things that thou hast learned of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim.2:2)
YOU and GOD 