It’s summer, but back-to-school is just around the corner and we’re thinking about teachers.
Teachers are a gift. They give of themselves tirelessly and from the heart, with barely time for lunch – much less a moment for inspiration! How can we best support them in the work to which they’ve been called?
We think this brand new 5-Minute Teacher Devotional from DaySpring is just the ticket! Read on for an excerpt, find out where to pick up your copy, and enter to WIN one for a special teacher!
A Classroom Overflowing with Joy
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.”
Philippians 4:4–5 NLT
Are you ready to embrace today with a heart full of joy and enthusiasm? Your role as a teacher is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about inspiring and uplifting the hearts of those you teach. What an incredible opportunity!
Joy is a powerful force. It’s contagious, uplifting, and transformative. When you bring joy into your classroom, you create an environment where students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn. This isn’t just about adding a bit of fun to the day—although that’s wonderful too—but it is about sharing the deeper, abiding joy that comes from knowing God’s love.
God’s love and grace fill you with a joy that naturally overflows into your interactions with your students, brightening their days and making their learning more meaningful. Think about how you can sprinkle in moments of joy today: giving a warm smile and a wave to a child you taught last year; expressing bold enthusiasm over a child’s art project; organizing a game that breaks the routine and sparks excitement; or simply taking a moment to genuinely listen to a student’s concerns. These small acts can create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and enthusiasm throughout your classroom.
Remember, joy isn’t just about the big wins; it’s also about the small, everyday moments. Your encouragement can light up a child’s path, helping them see their own potential and value. When challenges arise, approach your students with a joyful spirit. Your positivity in the face of challenges models an important lesson for them: that joy can be found even in moments of frustration.
As you step into your classroom today, let your heart be full of the joy that comes from knowing God’s love and grace. Let that joy spill over onto your students, creating an atmosphere where learning is not just educational, but a joy-filled experience.
Heavenly Father, fill me with Your joy and let that joy overflow into my classroom. I pray that my students will find joy in learning, and that they may become lifelong students of You. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.
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The 5-Minute Teacher Devotional offers quick, meaningful encouragement from God’s Word—perfect for the brief, quiet moments teachers can grab throughout the day. It brings peace and renewed strength for whatever comes next. Thoughtful and uplifting, it also makes a wonderful gift to show teachers how much they’re valued and appreciated.
I would love to bless my daughter with this devotional as she is in the first couple yrs of teaching and could use the encouragement herself. She teaches high school and loves to teach. Her goal is to be able to uplift, encourage, and reach every student especially those with learning disabilities.
Good morning! My best friend, Christa, is a special education teacher. This year she has been given one of the most difficult jobs and she has been having a hard time trusting God with what is to come this year with her new set of students. This book would be a blessing to her. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly get this book for her. May the Lord bless your wonderful (in)courage ministry!
I have been a teacher’s assistant & trying to pray if this should be a permanent full time role.
My niece completed her bachelors and master’s degrees while undergoing chemo. She graduated with honors and has been a 5th grade teacher now for several years. Her personal determination spills over into her classroom excellence and intentional compassion for hurting children. She relies on the Lord for strength and guidance and prays for her students. She is my heroine.
I would love to give this book to my daughter, she has been a paraprofessional for over 5 years and now she is in school full time working on receiving her bachelors in special education. She currently work with special education students who love her beautiful heart. She has MS, now as the school session is about to start, she is suffering a severe relapse. Please keep my daughter in your prayers for her healing and pass on this book to her to encourage her to continue to be the best love joy she can be especially during this time as she works hard to come back fully engaged with her students. Thank you & be blessed!
Katrice,
Prayers for your daughter’s MS to get some better. May God send His healing touch to her & allow her to keep on teaching.
Hugs
Blessings 🙂
What a beautiful word. I start every morning listening to (in) courage. My dear friend Terri is so deserving. She is one of the most compassionate, loving, generous, supportive woman/teacher I know. She oozes Jesus that draws His children to him.
I am a teacher who teaches students from all walks of life and backgrounds that often are filled with trauma and despair. I try my best to serve with light especially in an environment where it can sometimes seem heavy. Having a devotional to remind me and to use to share with my fellow
Teachers as a way to start the day could render so many benefits for us internally and externally as we lead our students. Honestly I’ve been looking for something to bring us together. This may actual work-maybe be encouraged around the flag pole before school starts. Who knows-it’s worth a try.
I am a teacher who teaches students from all walks of life and backgrounds that often are filled with trauma and despair. I try my best to serve with light especially in an environment where it can sometimes seem heavy. Having a devotional to remind me and to use to share with my fellow
Teachers as a way to start the day could render so many benefits for us internally and externally as we lead our students. Honestly I’ve been looking for something to bring us together. This may actually work-maybe be encouraged around the flag pole before school starts. Who knows-it’s worth a try.
My daughter is a middle school teacher in Texas. The last few years have been especially challenging. I would love to bless her with this encouragement to start her days.
I’m a teacher of 30 years and cannot tell you how very true the words of this devotion ring true! I realized fairly early into my career that the content I taught really didn’t have the same value until I made personal connections with my students and created a place where each child felt safe to learn in the way that he/she learns, react in his/her own way to lessons, announcements, etc….. and to simply for safe and loved for being himself/herself! So…. Rap songs to learn lessons, high fives and hugs or just a wink as I welcomed each child into room 112, and just a break from the lesson/s to just laugh and be silly became my schtick! So, I learned that being the teacher that makes up the best class cheer at the pep rally or the teacher who gives up my afternoon break so fourth graders can come in from recess to finish a test, get extra help on an assignment, or simply use that time to share a fun story or show me a new dance routine from dance class or kata (sp.??) from karate class…was the value and JOY that made my lessons and my classroom much more meaningful and positive!
I believe that true teachers don’t choose the profession of teaching, rather the profession chooses them. In Christian terms, I’d say that the Lord gave me the gift of loving the art of teaching children, but JOY shared in my classroom daily makes the ripples from that gift long lasting for many!!!
I need this book to share with my faculty! I’ve already forwarded the Devo to my administration!
Happy back to school season to all you amazing, life and love giving teachers! After mom, it’s the absolute best job in the world!!! ❤️
In Courage,
I have several teachers in my church. Most of them work in county schools & could use some encouragement. They have a heart for their students. Each year we make snack baskets for the schools so teachers can grab something & know that they are appreciated. The teachers also talk about wanting to help their students with basic needs like good shoes, clothing, etc. You can see the caring in they have.
Blessings 🙂
I am a teacher of 3 year olds in a Christian environment. They bring me so MUCH JOY!! To share Jesus with them is such a blessing as they profess their faith in the classroom and beyond… little ambassadors for Jesus… I am so humbly blessed!
As a former teacher, now retired, I fully understand what a difference an influence a caring, loving, Godly individual can have on their students. Sometimes the only love and encouragement they get is given to them during the hours they are in the classroom each day. What a wonderful devotional book this would be to the teachers I have in my own family who have chosen teaching as a profession as both my husband and I did.
I am a teacher and need this reminder! Joy is a choice and we can share it with everyone
My granddaughter, Tori, is a first grade teacher. I would love to gift it to her. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
This is wonderful! I’d love a copy to gift to my great granddaughters teacher. Thank you!
Leann Stites
My daughter will be starting her second year of teaching in a new town. Her students will have been directly affected by the Texas flooding. She loves kids, loves teaching and has a heart to bring light into the lives of struggling kiddos! This devo would be perfect for her! As she is filled with the heart of God, she can pass that on to students and other teachers!
I am entering my 13th year as a Special Ed para and would not be able to do this job without God’s strength. This summer has been a tough one personally with lots of struggles. I would love to have this devotion book to read in addition to the devotions here on Incourage. I start each day with your devotion and my coffee.
I would love a copy
I would give it to my daughter. She is starting her 3rd year teaching. She has overcome many obstacles and needs all the encouragement she can get.
I am a substitute teacher, but I would love to give a copy to my friend. She has been struggling a bit in 5th grade with her class in a portable with no bathroom. There are other struggles involved. I am hoping the new year brings her some joy.
I would love to give a copy of this to my grandson. He is 28 years old and will be starting his 7th year of teaching in Jr High and High schools. His first two years were in a charter school where he was one of two white teachers in a almost totally black school in Tulsa, Ok. His next two years were in an upper class school in Broken Bow, OK. And after relocating to another state and having two children of his own, he has taught two years at a School of Innovation in Springdale, AR. He has filled each of these diverse schools with joy and excitement in his heart and in his teaching. We have watched him fit in and serve the children and his Lord in every situation. He is creative, engaging, and loved by his students, yet earns the respect and love no matter where he goes. I would love for him and four of his friends to get one of these books. Thank You.
I am a first grade teacher! Each morning, a group of colleagues and myself read a devotion and pray for our day. I love it as it sets our hearts and minds on Jesus as we teach but also care for the hearts of our students! I love this devotion on joy as that is what keeps you going even when the job gets stressful!
I have two daughters who both teach third grade in our local elementary school. They are fine young Christian women and are always looking for ways to improve themselves for their students. They would enjoy the encouragement this devotional would provide to them personally and their classrooms. Teaching a very noble profession and it is not for the faint of heart. So much is required of today’s teachers. They love and care so much about their students. Thank you.
My Daughter Cori is a teacher with special needs kids. She pours all that she has into them, but knows if she does it in her own strength and love, there isn’t enough. This Devotional would be a wonderful reminder that when God fills her with strength and love she has what she needs. She seldom has time for lunch, but I know she would make sure to feast on this. Thank you for making it available.
My daughter, Michelle Hidalgo, teaches 4th grade at a small Christian school in Orlando, Florida. She is an inspiration to all who know her, filled with a tender and loving heart. This would be such a wonderful gift for her!