Teacher Bible Study Series — 1 Timothy 1:12–20
Thoughts on teaching in a lower socioeconomic area as a Christian.
A bit more about me…
As we go through this book of the bible together, I would like to give it some context. Both literally on where the letter was sent and how it could be interpreted based on who it was sent to, and personally on how it affected me in my current position as a teacher. I focused on the former in my previous post found here in the section titled “History of the Letter”. For this post though I will elaborate on how it affect my teaching. I currently teach in an area that has a very extensive history of generational poverty. The stories I have heard about some of the kids and what they have gone through has given me some perspective on my own life. To protect the privacy of the kids I teach I won’t be sharing these stories, but remember the reason why we do this, why we teach to this kids. We are asked to remain in tough situations.. Not to run. We are asked to stay.
1 Timothy: 1 12–17
Continuing from where we left off, we see Paul’s writing shift a little here. He goes from warning Timothy about others, to something a bit more introspective. As with my previous post, I recommend reading the section first, and then reading this post.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.
(1 Timothy 1:15, NIV)
Paul here is calling on Timothy to remember who we are (as Christians) before we do anything. This first paragraph in this section titled that is titled “Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners” in the ESV version. When we hear that word “sinners”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Criminals? Drug addicts? Steelers fans (go Browns)? I would have to disagree with your definition of sinners here. I’m sure you’ve heard it time and time again but it is something that we need reminded of constantly. We are all sinners. That is just what Paul is doing here with Timothy. Before Paul goes into how Timothy should start up this brand new church in an area where you might not expect to find one, he lays it out clear as day who we all are. He does this by admitting that he himself is one. Paul even goes a step further to say that he is the worst sinner of them all. Huge statement.
How does this relate back to teaching? Well before we even step foot into our rooms, no matter where we are, we need to remember who we are and why we do what we do. For me, apart of why I became a teacher was to work with adolescence, to get to know them and remind them they have someone that loves them and cares for their wellbeing. Not every student naturally has this in their life. By remembering who we are, sinners, I believe it makes it all that much easier when we walk into a room and see Johnny in the corner whizzing a pen across the room not to explode in a righteous rage. By remembering that we are the worst sinner of them all, by having this humility at the forefront of our hearts and minds, we can walk into that room, see Johnny doing this, and respond in a different manor. Yes he needs to see that his actions were wrong and can hurt others, but not by simply yelling at him and telling him to sit down. This is what they normally get at home. We are called to something higher.
Now I am not here saying that I am a master of classroom management. Quite the opposite actually. I too would struggle with restraining myself in getting into a righteous anger. But if we can take a step in the right direction, see this student’s action, and react a bit differently than how the student is expecting (that is by yelling, or even belittling), the students will notice.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
(1 Timothy 1:16, NIV)
Paul doubles down on his previous statement of being “the worst of sinners”. Think about it like this maybe. We know that we have been accepted by Christ. It says in this very verse that if we believe in Him we receive eternal life. If that’s true, then the worst sinner has been accepted into God’s loving arms. Why not mimic this action? How abnormal, shocking would this seem to these kids who might not know what true love is like? For someone like us, the teacher, to accept them for who they are, through their mistakes, anger, sadness, is still there for them.
I think what Paul is saying here is that before we go out into the world to preach, or in our case teach, we must know who we are first. We must recognize that we too are sinners. That we are owed nothing because we are imperfect, but are still loved by a perfect God. If we don’t recognize this fact, we run the risk of falling into a prideful trap. Thinking that these kids “should know better”, or that “I can’t believe you think that would be ok”. I say this because they are common thoughts that run into my mind when I see things in the classroom that in my mind are no brainer “never do’s” for a classroom setting.
1 Timothy 1: 18–20
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well…
(1 Timothy 1:18 NIV)
To finish this chapter off, Paul “commands” or charges Timothy with a task. “Fight the battle well”. Another translation says “Fight the good warfare”. I like to take this passage quite literally when it comes to the classroom. Sometimes it feels like I am walking into a war zone in this school. You never know what is going to happen. What some of the kids might do or say. We are being tasked with a heavy burden, a huge challenge, just like Timothy. Our job isn’t easy, and never was going to be, but we are asked to “fight the battle well”. There is absolutely a way to fight the battle wrong in a school. I have done it myself. You let things that students say get to you to the point of breaking. You say things you might not mean or not try as hard as you could that day. Paul lays out in 19 though that “having faith and good conscious” are what we need to continue.
Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
(1 Timothy 1:19, NLT)
By having faith, we know that we are in the right place. That God has put us in the school, in this classroom for a reason. That what you are doing is good and right. This is something that I am constantly needing reminding of.
The second, good conscious, is something I needed to look to a different translation for a better understanding of. The NLT put it best I believe. “Deliberately violating their consciences”. By keeping a good conscious, we do not give the enemy, or anyone else for that matter, reason to attack us. If we live our lives above reproach, above being questioned, we can go into any situation knowing that we did the best we could.
Final Remarks
Remember, we are in constant warfare, no matter where we go. In this context, from the moment you walk into the school to the moment you walk out, you are at war. Fight the battle well, with faith and good conscience, and know that God is with you the entire way.
Cory Schepp
