John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to Him and make our home with Him.”

John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to Him and make our home with Him.”

I believe the above scripture gives the “key” to developing godly, obedient students who follow Christ. If a student loves Jesus, he will obey him. Perhaps we emphasize the rules more than we tell the story of Jesus. Perhaps, we, as Christians, major on the “laws” and not on the “love” of God. Perhaps, we, in our own personal lives, do not reflect the deep love and excitement toward our Savior that would draw our students to learn at the feet of Jesus. 

                How do you build devotion and love toward someone? The answer is in knowing them. As teachers, I encourage you to tell the story of Jesus, again, and again, and again. Tell your students of his faithfulness to you and your friends. Help them to see God’s involvement in your everyday life. Take prayer requests in your classroom and allow students to bring testimonies of answered prayers. Commit every problem in your classroom to the Lord. Let your walk with God be a public example of loving God and leaning on Him for your strength and direction. The Light of Jesus they see in your life will draw them to Him.

                If you are teaching in a school where you are limited in your testimony, you can still be the light. Let the love of Christ permeate your actions and your words. Pray privately for the needs of your students; be concerned about their needs. Without using words about God or Jesus, students will see the difference in your life and be drawn to you, and God will draw them to Himself. Truth and light make changes in others no matter where they are released.

Dear God, Do me again. Let the flame of love for You be rekindled. Make me a bright light for your kingdom and draw my students to you as I draw closer too. Give me eyes to see the opportunities you provide for me to tell them about Jesus.