Proper teaching knows the direction, the speed, and the method of getting there. It requires in-depth knowledge of the student as well as the subject. We honor the best teachers with awards and fond memories from school. We appreciate coworkers who are willing to impart wisdom. We know that teaching and learning is simply the way of life.

“Children learn more when they initiate an activity and are actively engaged in it. Curiosity is the birthplace of learning. If you follow a two-year-old around for even a couple of hours, you will watch as he explores the world organically, following his innate curiosity about how things work, taste, feel, look, and sound. When a parent or teacher can harness the power of that curiosity, it is like riding a wave that already has momentum…..To give a child a chance to initiate learning, the caregiver must remain in the background, supporting the child’s natural curiosity and offering helpful ways to explore. This is different from the traditional model of instruction, where a teacher doles out knowledge and asks the student to learn the information.” - 10/6/19 article from TeachThought

My natural curiosity and ability to learn is enhanced by a good teacher, who will lead and coach me to overcome whatever reluctance I might be feeling or knowledge I lack. I know continued learning is vital to success - I just need to figure out what learning is most important to me and then begin the work to take it all in.

Want to exercise more? Make new friends? Learn a new language or instrument? Or tackle that next hard thing at work or a difficult conversation with a friend? How about simply learning more about who God is?

I have many inner struggles, often knowing what is best for me long-term, but am blocked by an immediate emotional hurdle called reluctance. This hurdle simply says, “I don’t feel like doing that right now,” or "I don't feel able to do that right now." I need a coach - one who guides and encourages me to move past my fears and on toward future benefits. It can be my spouse, a good friend, or someone I hire because I realize the value of external encouragement. The perfect spiritual coach is the Holy Spirit, who guides and encourages me in all situations.

Choosing what to learn is a critical decision. Since no one can learn everything, I need to deliberately decide what I most need and then start, which includes applying effort. What seems impossible at the start has a way of gradually unfolding and unlocking what has previously been a mystery.

All knowledge must have a foundation on which to build. I must possess the fundamentals of how to read, listen, interpret and understand the information I need, and then put all these in the right perspective. In Christianity, “fearing God”, or putting sincere effort toward knowing and appreciating God, is critical to all successful learning, understanding and life wisdom.

The perfect learning environment rarely exists. My teachers or mentors may be harsh, uncaring, incompetent, or even nonexistent. Or I may have a learning difference or disability that makes learning so much more of a struggle. Or I might be the main problem - I either can’t or won’t learn because of the significant effort required. What do I do?

The most obvious but difficult truth to accept is that obstacles will always be present. In the verse below, it is easy to see the obstacles: What is this yoke? Doesn’t it imply heavy work and constriction? Can any burden really be termed ‘light’? And how can I rest when you are giving me even more work? All good questions to ask in time, but God’s guidance begins with a simple call - “Come to me…”. The truth is that I need a Master Teacher to help me, especially in the midst of struggle. God is that Master Teacher, always caring, gentle, and ready to help all who come to Him.

One common error is to believe that Jesus was simply a great teacher and not the one and only God. In His teachings, Jesus clearly self-identified as God. So He was most likely either crazy or truly God. The least likely of these two scenarios is that He was a model teacher who taught great truths while mistakenly believing He was God. He is the perfect God and everything He spoke was the perfect truth.

Jesus taught everyone He came into contact with, whether through parables, miracles or admonishment. And when He physically left His disciples, He emphasized to them the importance of continuing to learn from Him through the Holy Spirit. I learn today from what God has spoken through the Bible and what He says through the Spirit - these two sources will never contradict, but harmonize to clearly teach me the truth.

Approach the Bible with a learning heart and see God as an engaged teacher. Be patient as I gradually await the unfolding and unlocking of what has previously been a mystery. Consider listening to and learning from the Holy Spirit as He uses the Bible to guide me toward the ultimate goal of becoming more like my ultimate teacher - Christ Jesus.
Ask: What have I learned or how have I taken guidance from the Bible recently?

Teach me, Lord! Uncover my foolish thoughts which seem right to me, but which grieve You. Help me to listen to Your words with a humility that leads to wise thoughts and actions which glorify You.

Jesus in the flesh provided the best example of an effective human teacher. Consider the following effective teacher qualities that Pearson Ed found from a survey of both teachers and students, along with how Jesus demonstrated each.

1. Ability to develop trusting, productive relationships
- 11 of 12 disciples were willing to die (and most did) for their teacher
2. Patient, caring, kind
- All godly attributes
3. Knowledge of learners - God is omniscient, knowing those He created better than they know themselves.
4. Dedication to teaching
- Driven by the same love that sent Him to die on a cross
5. Subject matter knowledge (tie)
- John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
5. Engaging students in learning (tie)
- Through His Spirit, Jesus individually and uniquely teaches each of us through all we encounter in life

Starting with the Jewish tradition and bolstered by Jesus’ teaching ministry, Christianity has consistently advocated for education - not only for the elite, but for the common man and woman. As a result, a 2016 Pew Center global study found that the two most educated religious groups around the world are Jews and Christians.

In 9th century Europe, monasteries, convents and cathedrals operated virtually all schools and libraries. By the 11th century, cathedral schools emerged as the primary centers for higher learning. The 15th century printing press made books widely available and the 16th century Reformers wanted all Church members to learn to read the Bible. Compulsory education for both boys and girls was introduced. In the new American colonies, 7 of the first 9 colonial colleges were founded by Christians including Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers and Yale. In 1881, 80 percent of the colleges in the United States were church related and private (versus less than 20 percent today).

As Europe colonized much of the world, it largely left the Church to establish the means to educate both colonists as well as indigenous peoples, building a foundation upon which evangelism could take place. In some countries, the Church is still the main provider of education or significantly supplements government forms of education.

"Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies."" - Psalm 27:11

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord,
  Teach me Thy way,
Thy gracious aid afford,
  Teach me Thy way.
Help me to walk aright,
More by faith, less by sight,
Lead me with heavnly light,
  Teach me Thy way."" (First verse)