Donna Braband, ELCA Assistant Director for Schools

The Gospels introduce us to those who came to faith because they witnessed Jesus and his work. In this context Jesus was a role model for those seeking knowledge and trust. As adults we role model for children by what we do and say that exhibits our own faith. We continually role model by the way we deal with the things in life that are normal and abnormal. Faith grows when we imitate the lives of others who are faithful.

Paul knew that we teach by example and the people of Thessalonia followed this example so that it had a domino effect and reached out to many people. We read in 1 Thessalonians 1: 6-8;

“...and you become imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.”

If we fail to see the importance of exercising our beliefs by putting our faith into action as the Thessalonians, we miss out on why we are teachers, and in particular why we teach in a Lutheran setting. We need to reach out to the children in our classes and get to know them and what they need. As we share our faith we are able to see that domino effect take place even in our classrooms. Our children become absorbed in the singing of a particular Jesus song or story. Pretty soon you have a parent tell you that the family hears this story or song every day. You have reached the family, the extended family, and probably everyone that this child comes in touch with.

You have modeled not only for the child but also for those that the child is related to. You have provided the child with the context for their faith to grow. We must also remember that only God can provide the power through the Holy Spirit for that growth.

This is where we need to make sure that we are healthy in our own faith and lives. This means that we have to take care of ourselves or we can’t continue to effectively role model for our children and we can’t help them to grow in their faith. If we lose our spiritual development we lose our feeling for what we are doing. We each need to feel good about ourselves.

If our needs as adults aren’t being met, we cannot meet the needs of the children in our class. Teachers need to reflect a positive nature for the children that they teach.

We must, as teachers, therefore daily evaluate our wellness. As teachers we need to make time for ourselves and this self examination. We must prioritize our values, beliefs and roles. We must feel good about our faith and share that with the children we teach.

Think of Jesus getting down to the level of the children, relating to them as a friend, speaking their language and defending them when the disciples tried to send them away. In the eyes of those children he saw something very precious. He saw their faith. As teachers we have no better role model for our faith lives.

Look in the eyes of the children with whom you serve to see that same faith that Jesus saw. What will you teach your children today that will help their little seed of faith grow through the Holy Spirit?

Donna Braband serves as Assistant Director for Schools in the ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools’ School and Early Childhood Ministries, and can be reached by e-mail at dbraband@elca.org.

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