Motivating Students to Learn

One of the greatest challenges in teaching is motivating students to learn and reach their God-given potential. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Colossians 1:10. While there are no secret formulas to make every student motivated, there are several fundamentals that will enable teachers to have great success in motivating students to learn. Whether you are a parent, Christian school teacher, or a Sunday school teacher, your influence can greatly aid in a student developing a love for learning and reaching their potential, spiritually, academically, and socially. Here are five foundations for student motivation.

1. The Leader

The leader must be enthusiastic, fully equipped, freshly studied, and thoroughly prepared if he is to motivate and inspire students. Leaders should use helpful illustrations and clear examples that students can relate to and comprehend. When a leader spends time in fervent prayer, he is sincerely enthusiastic about his subject and is thoroughly prepared. His students will become motivated to be better learners.

2. The Learner

Students need to have a right attitude toward learning. It takes hard work, sacrifice, and determination to become a good learner, but it is certainly worth it! Set high expectations and help students achieve success. Students need to know that you care about them. Daily develop a student’s heart and mind for Christ by displaying the love and grace of the Lord by providing excellent instruction and building character through biblical discipline.

3. The Lesson

Gain the students’ attention, and begin each lesson with excitement and familiarity. Provide application and make connection between the knowledge you are giving them and how it is useful and practical for them to use. Use student’s interests to keep students engaged and motivated to listen and learn. In short, good lessons ought to be profitable, applicable, and memorable.

4. The Language

Begin lessons with words common and understood by your students. Define new words in the lesson, and give clear definitions and examples. This will help students expand their vocabulary. God gave us language, let’s make sure our students master it, and use it for His glory!

5. The Learning Process

The process does involve basic memorization, but it builds upon that foundation. For example, students must learn to memorize their multiplication tables before they can master higher order mathematics. Thus, the memorization of important facts is the foundation for learning but certainly is not the end. Help students build upon this foundation by challenging them to think about ways to express, evaluate, and apply what they are learning. The learning process takes a combined effort by parents, students, and teachers. At the end of this process, a student becomes a well-educated and equipped young person who has biblical discernment. He can clearly articulate his words, is a lifelong learner, and values the investments of his leaders.

While each of these five areas are vital in student education, the most important area is the leaders. Parents and teachers must form a strong and healthy team as they lead, teach, and motivate students to reach their God-given potential for His glory!