How God Sanctifies Us Through Teaching
This year marks my tenth year of teaching at Pinnacle Classical Academy. While reflecting on these years that have passed so quickly, I asked myself this question: could it be that teaching has been more about what I as a teacher have learned than about what my students have learned, and if so, what has God taught me?
In answering my own question, I emphatically affirm that God has indeed used these years at PCA to work out His process of sanctification in my life through my students. These are just some of the ways God has transformed me.
Teaching a classroom full of children has taught me more dependence on God. The demands of teaching expose my limitations, which has led me to rely more on God’s strength and wisdom.
It has increased my prayer life. I have found myself turning to prayer more frequently as I’ve sought God’s guidance in challenging situations.
It has developed a more Christlike character in me. Through the challenges of managing a classroom, God has taught me more patience, compassion, and self-sacrifice.
Teaching has given me an opportunity to be a living example of God’s love and grace to my students. As I freely share God’s truths from His word, I am able to encourage my students that only God can change our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh, and I am reminded every day that my heart needs changing every bit as much as my students’ hearts.
It has sharpened my spiritual discernment by helping me to recognize my own shortcomings and to appreciate God’s kindness towards me as He carries out His work in my own life. In my lack of perfection, I see God’s perfection.
Teaching has shown me my idols. I must not boast or despair based on my students’ performance. My identity is not rooted in my profession. It must be rooted solely in Christ.
It has shown me that my responsibility is to be a faithful witness to my students, but the results are in God’s hands. God has called me to plant and to water, but He is responsible for the growth.
Looking back, I recognize that I have grown right alongside my students, and I have learned right alongside them as well. God’s work of sanctification is ongoing in my life, and I praise God I am not the same teacher I was ten years ago. In fact, I’m not even the same teacher this May as I was in August. God’s work is active every day in the classroom. All glory to God!
Carrie Knecht
3rd Grade Teacher
