When my youngest daughter started school, I began teaching Scripture. I worked part-time as a primary school teacher while I had my kids at home, and my employers were gracious and allowed me to continue part-time. I thought, while we’re able to make ends meet, this is a good opportunity to give that time to Scripture teaching. 

As a teacher by trade, I felt I had the skills, the time and there was a need. In my heart I felt it was where my gifts naturally led me to go.

When would be a better time to start Scripture teaching than now? 

Growing up, I remember Scripture classes at school – it’s such an important part of school life. Now I teach Scripture one day a week. I set aside the whole day to plan and prepare and teach my classes, then I work for the remainder of the week. 

Being a primary teacher has been such a blessing to my Scripture teaching. I don’t need to worry about the other things a classroom teacher has to worry about, like reports or classroom management as much. I just go in and teach what I love! 

I had up to 60 students at one point in one of my classes, which had its challenges! But it was also such a joy. We had them all in the library for lessons, and I taught whoever wanted to be enrolled. When the numbers came in, I was very apprehensive. I didn’t feel like I could do it. But God is a good God, he answers prayers, and now I don’t feel like I ever want to stop teaching Scripture.

I was lucky to keep the same class for two years, through Year 1 and Year 2. In that time, I was able to see their understanding grow of how the Bible is one big story that points to Jesus. I would teach a story, and students would put their hand up and say, “That ties back to Abraham’s promise!” 

To see over two years how they went from not knowing much about the Bible to having a better understanding of how it works, and how much Jesus loves them, was very encouraging! 

As we start the 2025 school year, please pray that we would have good relationships with the schools where we teach, and that principals and co-ordinators of SRE would be supportive and willing to work with us. Pray that there will be enough teachers to support the number of students enrolled, and pray that God would bless the work Scripture teachers do.