Become a Scripture Teacher

Getting Started

Most scripture teachers start by testing their suitability and motivations by applying for a Scripture position -  see Positions Vacant or complete an Enquiry Form to speak with an Advisor. Alternatively, you may want to review current training opportunities for prospective scripture teachers - see 'Courses' under Professional Development. Be sure to read the testimonials of existing teachers as well.

Scripture teachers come from many backgrounds with widely differing experiences of schools and life.

Some have already trained and taught as school teachers with education degrees and diplomas. Others come from a youth ministry or welfare background and have discovered they really love Scripture teaching. There are teachers from such backgrounds as social work and the SAS (via Bible college!)

So you have a real burden for bringing God’s word and ways to young people. What’s next? You will need to be willing to work within a professional educational setting. State schools are a vital part of the well-being and cohesion of Australian society, with commitment to a significant educational mission. Society puts huge resources into them. Scripture teachers take their place within a state school staff even though they are authorized and employed usually by an outside church-based board. It is a professional environment, in which Scripture teachers may need to prove themselves as competent operators, even though Scripture is in some ways quite unlike any other subject, where students can engage regularly with life’s big questions and the realities of their lives and issues.

Scripture teachers are authorized by and represent local clergy and their churches. An effective Scripture teacher works at fairly representing the wider Christian community and works out how to keep the focus on core Christian teaching and not getting off on tangents.