Hey there friends. Welcome back to a brand new week of Carpooling with Jesus. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. Have you ever had a teacher who really helped you understand something, or maybe they just made school a little more fun? I had teachers like that. When I was in third grade, Mrs. Kelly was the best teacher ever. She made every day fun and every lesson a little more interesting. Today we're going to talk about how we can treat our teachers with respect and kindness, just like Jesus would. Imagine if Jesus were in the car with you today on your way to school. What do you think he would say about how to treat our teachers? So first off, I want you to think about your teacher. Maybe it's a math teacher or a reading teacher or your technology teacher. It can even be a coach. Teachers are people who spend their time helping us grow and learn new things. And you know what Jesus would say? We should treat our teachers with respect and kindness, just like he would want to be treated. In fact, in the book of Matthew in the New Testament, chapter twenty-three, verses eleven and twelve, Jesus said, The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Let's break that down a little bit. Jesus is saying that the greatest people are the ones who serve and help others. So when we show kindness to our teachers, we're actually becoming great in God's eyes. We're serving them by showing respect for the hard work they do, helping us learn and grow every day. Now you might be wondering, how can I serve my teacher? For example, when your teacher asks you to do something like raising your hand before speaking or staying in your seat, you can do it without complaining. That is showing respect and serving your teacher. When your teacher is explaining something and you pay attention, you're helping them do their job better for all the other students in the room. You're being a great student, and that's a way of serving them. Think about this. Imagine if your teacher had a really busy day and you could tell they were a little tired. Maybe you could offer a kind word, like saying thank you for being my teacher, or, I love everything I'm learning from you. You could even ask if they need any extra help. These little acts of kindness make a big difference, and they show that you care about your teacher's hard work. What would Jesus do in the classroom? Let's take a moment and imagine if Jesus walked into your classroom. If he were there, he wouldn't be sitting in the back of the room ignoring the teacher. He'd be the one listening attentively, raising his hand, and showing kindness to everyone. Jesus knew how important it was to honor those in authority above us. And he'd want us to do the same with our teachers. Even when they correct us or remind us of the rules, we can respond with a great attitude and a thankful heart, knowing that they're helping us become the best we can be. So how can we show respect to our teachers? When your teacher is speaking, show respect by listening closely. It helps you learn, and it lets your teacher know that you value what they say. Second, follow directions. When your teacher asks you to do something, try your best to do it right away. This shows you're respecting their authority and helping the class run smoothly. Lastly, be kind to others. Respecting your teacher also means treating their other students, your classmates, well. When everyone is kind to each other, it makes the classroom a better place for everyone, including the teacher. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Thanks for joining me today on Carpooling with Jesus. I hope you're feeling encouraged and ready to treat your teachers with respect and kindness, just like Jesus would. Parents, don't forget, share this podcast with your friends so they can enjoy faith-filled moments in their car rides too. Before we get out of the car, try and answer this question together. How can you show your teacher respect and kindness today? Have a great start to your week.
