I remember when I first began teaching high school students thirty years ago. I was told never to smile before Christmas and to make sure they knew who was boss. I was quite young then, so there was “some” wisdom in those words. However, now as I teach our high school class at church, I see a need to be much more honest and real with these young people.

Jesus is the Master teacher and we can always learn from him as we seek to teach his children. Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you” (John 15:12-15).

Are your students your friends? Do they respect you as your friends do? Would they come to you for help? Do they learn how to love and serve each other through your example of loving and serving each of them? Are you teaching them all that you have learned from your Father?

Perhaps this year would be a good time to make “new” friends. If your life is already very busy, pray about finding just a little more time. It may mean a weekly phone call, a post card to tell them they were missed last Sunday. Sit with them in worship and at church fellowship event. It seem like a sacrifice at times, but remember…” Greater love has no one than this, that one lay his life down for his friends.”

They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!