Love Those You Teach

Everything the Savior did throughout His earthly ministry was motivated by love. As we strive to be true followers of Christ, we can be filled with this same love (see John 13:34–35; Moroni 7:47–48; 8:26). When the Savior’s love is in our hearts, we seek every possible way to help others learn of Christ and come unto Him. Love becomes the motivation for our teaching.

To Love Those You Teach

• See learners the way God sees them.

• Seek to know them—understand their circumstances, needs, and strengths.

• Pray for them by name.

• Create a safe environment where all are respected and know their contributions are valued.

• Find appropriate ways to express your love.

The Savior Saw Divine Potential in Everyone He Taught

Most people in Jericho thought they knew all they needed to know about Zacchaeus. He was a publican and a tax collector—the chief publican, in fact—and he was rich. Clearly, they thought, he must be dishonest and corrupt. But Jesus looked on Zacchaeus’s heart and saw an honorable “son of Abraham” (see Luke 19:1–10). The Savior saw people not just as they appeared to be but as they really were—and as they could become. In unpolished fishermen like Simon, Andrew, James, and John, He saw the future leaders of His Church. In the feared persecutor Saul, He saw “a chosen vessel,” who would preach His gospel before kings and nations (see Acts 9:10–15). And in you and each person you teach, the Savior sees a son or daughter of God with limitless potential.

Among the people you teach, you are likely to have some who seem faithful and converted and others who seem uninterested or even rebellious. Be careful not to make assumptions based only on what you see. The Holy Ghost can help you see in each person some of what the Savior sees—and help you begin to love them the way He does.

Questions to Ponder: Think about each person you teach, and ponder how Heavenly Father and Jesus feel about each one. What might They see in him or her? How will these thoughts affect the way you teach that person?

From the Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 8:4–5; Romans 8:16–17; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–14

The Savior Knows Us and Understands Our Circumstances, Needs, and Strengths

The Samaritan woman did not come to the well to hear a gospel message. She came to get water. But the Savior could perceive that her thirst was more than physical. He knew that she had a troubled past with unstable relationships. So Jesus took the physical need that had her immediate interest—life-sustaining water—and connected it with her deeper spiritual needs for “living water” and “everlasting life.” By the end of their conversation, the woman had a personal witness that Jesus was the Christ, inspired in part by how well He knew her. “[He] told me all things that ever I did,” she said. “Is not this the Christ?” (see John 4:6–29).

Being a Christlike teacher includes getting to know the people you teach and striving to understand what is in their hearts. You can take an interest in their lives and show compassion. You can look for ways to understand their backgrounds, talents, interests, and needs. You can find out how they learn best. You can ask questions, listen carefully, and observe. Above all, you can pray for the understanding that only the Spirit can give. The better you know a person, the better able you are to help him or her find personal meaning and power in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once you understand a person’s thirst, the Spirit can teach you how to help quench it with the Savior’s living water.

Questions to Ponder: What do you already know about the people you teach? What is important to them? What are their strengths? What do they struggle with? What can you do to understand them better?

From the Scriptures: Psalm 139:1–5; Matthew 6:25–32; Mark 10:17–21; John 10:14; 3 Nephi 17:1–9

The Savior Prayed for Those He Taught

Imagine how Simon Peter must have felt when he heard the Savior say to him, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, … but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31–32). How would it have affected you to know that Jesus Christ prayed to the Father for you? The people of ancient America had an experience like this, and they described it in this way: “No one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard [Jesus] pray for us unto the Father” (3 Nephi 17:17).

You might also think about what happens inside you when you pray for someone—consistently, by name. How do your prayers affect the way you feel about that person? How do they affect your actions? Certainly our Father in Heaven hears and answers the sincere prayers of a teacher who desires to help a learner. And in many cases, one way He answers those prayers is by touching the heart of the teacher and inspiring him or her to do or say something that will help the learner feel His love.

Questions to Ponder: As you think about the people you teach, is there anyone who you feel has a special need for your prayers? What do you feel inspired to pray for on his or her behalf? What blessings might come as you invite learners to pray for each other?

From the Scriptures: John 17; Alma 31:24–36; 3 Nephi 18:15–24; 19:19–23, 27–34

The Savior Ensured That All Felt Respected and Valued

The general attitude among religious leaders in Jesus’s day was that sinners should be shunned. Because of this, when these leaders saw Jesus interacting with sinners, they were appalled. How could someone who associated with such people be a spiritual teacher?

Jesus, of course, had a different approach. He sought to heal those who were spiritually sick (see Mark 2:15–17; Luke 4:17–18). He consistently reached out to those who were different from those around them or who had a troubled past, and He interacted with those who had sinned. He praised the faith of a Roman soldier (see Matthew 8:5–13). He called a mistrusted tax collector to be one of His trusted disciples (see Mark 2:14). When a woman was accused of adultery, He made her feel safe and inspired her to repent and live a better life (see John 8:1–11).

But Jesus did more than that. He fostered this same attitude of acceptance and love among His followers. His example was surely in the hearts of His Apostles when the time came for them to take the gospel to all people. It is reflected in Peter’s words: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

There’s a very good chance that almost everyone you are called to teach is struggling in some way to feel respected and valued. By the way you love and respect them, you can communicate that they are not only welcome but needed. You can reach out to those who don’t attend, who struggle, or who don’t seem interested, being patient if progress seems slow. You can help everyone feel safe and comfortable sharing their concerns with fellow believers. And you can do more than that. You can inspire all learners to help you create an environment where the doctrine is taught in a spirit of respect, belonging, and love.

Questions to Ponder: What helps a person feel respected and valued? What inspires a person to respect and value others? As you prayerfully think about the people you teach, what are you prompted to do so that they all can feel welcome and needed?

From the Scriptures: John 4; 2 Nephi 26:27–28, 33; Alma 1:26; 3 Nephi 18:22–25

Teachers can help those they teach feel loved.

The Savior Expressed His Love for Those He Taught

At the end of a wonderful, uplifting day of teaching and ministering among the Nephites, Jesus observed that it was time for Him to go. He had other people to visit. “Go ye unto your homes,” He said, “and prepare your minds for the morrow.” But the people just sat there “in tears,” looking “steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.” Perceiving their unspoken need and “filled with compassion,” Jesus did stay a little longer (3 Nephi 17:3, 5–6). He blessed their sick and afflicted. He knelt and prayed with them. He wept with them, and He rejoiced with them.

Consider prayerfully studying the Savior’s words and actions in 3 Nephi 17. Ponder the love He expressed for those He taught. Look for expressions of His love in other places in the scriptures. Then think about the people you teach. How do you appropriately express love for them? Let the Spirit guide you. If you find it difficult to feel or express love for those you teach, start by testifying of God’s love. Then “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with [the pure love of Christ], which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48). And remember that your concern for teaching a lesson should never distract you from expressing love through your words and actions. Often the way you treat people is just as important as what you teach them.

Questions to Ponder: How has the Savior helped you know of His love for you? How has a parent or other teacher helped you feel His love? Do the people you teach know that you love them? Do they know that the Savior loves them?

From the Scriptures: Mark 6:31–42; John 13:3–16, 34–35; 15:12–13; 1 Corinthians 13:1–7; 1 John 4:7–11

Some Ways to Apply What You Are Learning

• If you are teaching a class, learn the names of learners and use them when you teach.

• Express your gratitude when learners contribute.

• Interact with learners before and after you teach.

• Help learners develop an atmosphere of love and respect for each other.

• Listen intently—when you are teaching and at other times.

• Perform acts of service for those you teach.

• Be willing to alter your teaching plans to spend more time on principles that are meaningful to those you teach.