"Who me? But I’ve never taught before. I don’t know enough. I don’t like kids. I’m a new convert. I can teach kids, but please don’t make me stand up there in front of a bunch of adults. Bishop...I didn’t even like teens when I was one."
These are common reactions from people who are called to teach their first class. Often this occurs as soon as a teenager graduates from high school and refuses to go to Relief Society. Some people, however, manage to avoid teaching callings for years and years. The first calling can be a terrifying experience...or it can be one that will change your life.
The first step to becoming the world’s greatest teacher is to accept the calling. Surprisingly, that’s sometimes the very hardest part. I’ve found that the secret to being able to do this is to simply decide in advance that you will accept any calling that comes in. I used to have a bishop who would offer a calling and then prompt, "Now you’re supposed to say yes." A friend who was told that the bishop wanted to meet with her sat at home the hour before the interview practicing: "I’d love to, Bishop!" In reality, most of us immediately try to remember which callings the person we are meeting with is in charge of, who has been in those callings a long time, and, if we are married, which of us is due for a new job. The last thing on our mind is coaching ourselves to accept. We just hope it isn’t a calling to...that job. (Every member has a calling he prays he will never get.)
So decide in advance that you will take the calling and worry about whether or not you’ll like it later, say in about a year when you’ve been there long enough to know. If this is hard, remember the process involved in getting a calling. All callings are based on prayerful contemplation, which means that God is the one calling you. Picture the Savior in the bishop’s chair and the acceptance becomes easier. You would never say no directly to the Savior. Saying no to the bishop or his counselors is the same as saying no to the Savior.
In the same respect, saying that you aren’t qualified or aren’t the right person for the job is also telling God He is wrong. God is wrong? Of course He isn’t. If He chose you for this position, then you are meant to be there. It may be true that you aren’t qualified to do the job just yet, but you are capable of doing it or of learning to do it. He has decided that you are the person who can best fulfill His plan at this time. Trust Him enough to take a chance.
As soon as you have said, "I’d love to, Bishop," feel free to ask any questions that come immediately to mind. If the calling is completely unexpected, you may not have any yet, and that is fine. However, bring a small notepad to each meeting with the bishopric. That way, if you do get a calling, you can write down any information you are given. Approach the remainder of the meeting with a positive attitude and act as though you are enthusiastic. It is perfectly acceptable to admit to fear or concern. If there is a legitimate reason you may not be able to accept the calling, explain it to the bishop, but follow his advice. I once explained that I couldn’t be the Primary president because I was moving in only three months. His answer? Work fast. He was right. There were specific things God wanted me to achieve in this calling, and they could be done in three months, although I didn’t even know what they were when I was called. However, it didn’t matter that neither I nor the Bishop knew what change would occur the very first Sunday I was the president. God did, and He knew that the changes were in an area in which I was very experienced. Furthermore, He knew what I needed to learn, and by being very conscientious about my prayers, I was able to learn those things.
When you receive the call to be a teacher, trust your Heavenly Father. He knows you. He loves you. He is thinking about you.
He will be there for you.
Teaching: No Greater Call
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