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Supporting Teachers and Educators

Ordinary Time (Second Section)Education Reform, Access and Lifelong LearningWeek 38 · Day 3

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

9 Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

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12 Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

New Testament

James 3:1-12

1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgement.

2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

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4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity amongst our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.

10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

Thought for the Day

Ecclesiastes honours the teacher who has weighed and searched out and arranged many proverbs. There is labour in that work: attention, patience, the courage to tell the truth without simplification. Yet the Teacher also warns us: “Of making many books there is no end,” and weariness is real. Knowledge multiplies; wisdom must be received.

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James offers an austere mercy to anyone who teaches: “Not many of you should become teachers.” Words carry weight. They fall on children like weather, shaping what they dare to believe. Speech can bless or burn. A teacher’s tongue can steady a room, or set it alight.

Those who educate are often asked to carry more than curriculum. They hold grief, confusion, hunger, violence, ambition, anxiety. They stand at the crossing between homes and institutions, between policy and a child’s real day. Scripture calls us to honour that burden and to pray for clean speech and deep courage.

Lord, strengthen teachers and educators with quiet joy. Give them wisdom that does not harden, patience that does not collapse, and words that heal rather than wound. Provide good leadership and sufficient support. And where the work has become crushing, grant rest and repair, so that those who teach may themselves be refreshed by your truth.

Prayer Points

Respond
  • Strengthen teachers, lecturers, and support staff; give energy, patience, and joy in their calling.
  • Guard educators’ speech: truthful, kind, clear, and firm without cruelty.
  • Provide good leadership in schools and institutions; give wise policies and realistic expectations.
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  • Support pupils and students with complex needs; provide pastoral care and specialist provision.
  • Give rest and healing to those burned out or disillusioned; restore hope and vocation.
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