What Great Christians Do Differently

A book about great teachers got me thinking about how we must become great Christians.

Each year our school district makes assignments for the administrators and staff. This past year the teachers in our elementary school were assigned to read the book What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker. We had a calendar of due dates for selected chapters and opportunities to share our input several times.

Early in my teaching career I determined that, when workshops, in-service sessions, faculty meetings and other assignments were required, my goal would be to find at least one gem to take home and apply.

Besides a lot of reminders of what great teachers do, I did find a gem that rather surprised me. I found it in chapter 13, “In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Least Comfortable,” which has the subtitle “Treat Everyone as if They Were Good.”

Scenarios

The author describes a friend who has made a vocation of purchasing, remodeling and renting apartment complexes. The author asked the owner what he does when a tenant is not quite measuring up. The owner replied that he simply fixes up their apartment, making clear the positive outcome he expects, and they either step up to the plate or move out because they are uncomfortable.

The author goes on to apply this to various school situations—a negative teacher at a faculty meeting, parents who habitually pick up their children late, disgruntled parents, etc. In each case he discusses how to focus on the intended positive outcome.

The scenario that caught my eye involved students some might label “troublemakers.” Two of them are walking down a hall while all classes are in session. As a teacher, I can respond in a way that puts them on the defensive (by asking what they are up to or making a similar nonproductive comment). Or I can treat them just like I would the valedictorian or honor student and ask if I can help them. I should consider my intended positive outcome before choosing.

Christian principle

This author’s approach to teaching fits nicely with the Golden Rule. I don’t want people judging me and treating me based on my past sins. So why should I let the mistakes of others justify my assumption that they are “up to no good”? We may need to warn the unruly, but Paul instructs us to “be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Factors to consider

•   Judging a book by its cover: How many times have you heard (or said), “He just looks like a [criminal/drug addict/thief/etc.].” It seems we too frequently see and hear examples of people treating others the way they perceive they are. I believe it was Will Rogers who said a stranger was just a friend he had not yet met. Perhaps that approach would be a good one to adopt. This is not to say that we should not be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).

•   Prejudice: This is another well-known example of a negative mind-set.

•   Ruts: Parents get tired of their children forgetting their chores, bringing home less than their best work from school, arguing with siblings, etc. How can parents change the tone and raise the expectations?

•   Hypocrisy: Children get tired of the “do what I say, not what I do” attitude they may see from adults. Parents and teachers must be aware of this danger and strive to avoid even the appearance of hypocrisy.

A Christian approach

Whether or not our perception of others is correct, it should not be the determining factor in how we treat them. We should have a positive approach to each situation. Even if the person has other than good intents, we can leave the door open to the person changing his or her mind and doing the right thing.

As a teacher, I have learned that students live up to my expectations. So if we treat others as if they were up to no good, they probably will live up to that expectation.

Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 instruct parents to be careful not to discourage their children. Set a right example—talk the talk and walk the walk.

None of us enjoys being treated with suspicion. We want to be treated in a positive way. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on positive things and 1 Corinthians 13:7 tells us to bear all things and believe all things.

All this reminds me of the words of an old song: “Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.” Perhaps this is part of “what great Christians do differently.”

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Susan Scott Smith has been a teacher for more than 20 years and is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Texas.