Scripture has a good deal to say to teachers, including things we might prefer to hear addressed to somebody else. James 3:1–2 is a salutary beginning. These two hundred selections offer a reading index for study, prayer and conversation; the descriptions are editorial prompts, not quotations.

Read each passage in its biblical setting. Some selections concern parents and children directly; others illuminate the responsibilities of teachers by analogy. Wisdom sayings, narratives and commandments have different purposes. References follow common English Bible numbering; Psalm numbering may differ in Vulgate-based books, and some verse boundaries vary by edition. Use an RSV Catholic Edition or your usual Catholic Bible for the text.

  1. Wisdom and teachability
  2. Parents and the handing on of faith
  3. Teachers, witness and responsibility
  4. Christ the teacher
  5. Attention, speech and conversation
  6. Work, study and perseverance
  7. Community, friendship and hospitality
  8. Truth, judgement and discernment
  9. Prayer, humility and interior life
  10. Hope, service and handing on

Wisdom and teachability

  1. Proverbs 1:1–7 — The purpose of wisdom.
  2. Proverbs 1:8–9 — A father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching.
  3. Proverbs 2:1–11 — Seeking wisdom like treasure.
  4. Proverbs 3:1–12 — Remembering instruction and receiving correction.
  5. Proverbs 3:13–20 — Wisdom’s worth.
  6. Proverbs 4:1–9 — Wisdom handed on.
  7. Proverbs 4:20–27 — Guarding the heart and the path.
  8. Proverbs 8:1–11 — Wisdom calls in public.
  9. Proverbs 9:1–12 — Wisdom’s invitation.
  10. Proverbs 10:8–14 — Listening and restraint.
  11. Proverbs 12:1 — Loving correction.
  12. Proverbs 13:20 — Choosing wise companions.
  13. Proverbs 15:31–33 — A teachable ear.
  14. Proverbs 18:13–15 — Listening before answering.
  15. Proverbs 19:20–21 — Taking counsel.
  16. Proverbs 20:5 — Drawing out another’s understanding.
  17. Proverbs 22:17–21 — Attending to wise words.
  18. Proverbs 23:12 — Applying the heart to instruction.
  19. Proverbs 24:3–6 — Building with understanding.
  20. Proverbs 25:11–12 — A timely word and a receptive ear.

Parents and the handing on of faith

  1. Deuteronomy 4:9–10 — Remember and teach your children.
  2. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 — Teaching in the ordinary day.
  3. Deuteronomy 6:20–25 — Answering a child’s question.
  4. Deuteronomy 11:18–21 — Words learned at home.
  5. Deuteronomy 31:10–13 — Children hearing the law.
  6. Deuteronomy 32:7 — Asking the older generation.
  7. Exodus 12:24–27 — Explaining the Passover.
  8. Exodus 13:8–10 — Telling the story of deliverance.
  9. Exodus 13:14–16 — A son asks what a custom means.
  10. Joshua 4:4–7 — Stones that prompt questions.
  11. Joshua 4:20–24 — A public memorial and its explanation.
  12. Psalm 78:1–8 — Passing on what we have heard.
  13. Psalm 145:4–7 — One generation speaking to another.
  14. Proverbs 6:20–23 — Parents’ teaching as a lamp.
  15. Proverbs 22:6 — Forming a child’s path.
  16. Proverbs 23:22–25 — Honouring parents and loving wisdom.
  17. Sirach 3:1–16 — Honouring father and mother.
  18. Ephesians 6:1–4 — Parents, children and formation in the Lord.
  19. Colossians 3:20–21 — Do not discourage children.
  20. 2 Timothy 1:3–7 — Faith received through family witness.

Teachers, witness and responsibility

  1. James 3:1–2 — The stricter judgement of teachers.
  2. Matthew 5:13–16 — Light that others can see.
  3. Matthew 7:1–5 — Correcting oneself before correcting others.
  4. Matthew 18:1–6 — The dignity of the little ones.
  5. Matthew 18:10–14 — Do not despise the little ones.
  6. Matthew 23:1–12 — Teaching and practising.
  7. Matthew 28:16–20 — The command to teach.
  8. Luke 6:39–42 — A pupil and a teacher.
  9. Luke 12:41–48 — Stewardship and accountability.
  10. John 13:12–17 — An example of service.
  11. John 15:1–8 — Bearing fruit through abiding.
  12. Acts 18:24–28 — Priscilla and Aquila instruct Apollos.
  13. Acts 20:28–35 — Watchfulness and service.
  14. Romans 2:17–24 — Teaching others and teaching oneself.
  15. Romans 12:3–8 — Teaching as a gift to be exercised.
  16. 1 Corinthians 3:5–11 — Planting, watering and God’s growth.
  17. 1 Corinthians 4:14–17 — Paternal correction and example.
  18. 1 Timothy 4:11–16 — Example, reading and perseverance.
  19. Titus 2:1–8 — Sound teaching and integrity.
  20. 1 Peter 5:1–4 — Leading by example.

Christ the teacher

  1. Matthew 5:1–12 — The Beatitudes.
  2. Matthew 6:5–15 — Learning to pray.
  3. Matthew 7:24–29 — Hearing and doing.
  4. Matthew 11:25–30 — Learning from the gentle Master.
  5. Matthew 13:1–9 — The sower.
  6. Matthew 13:18–23 — The different receptions of the word.
  7. Matthew 13:44–46 — Recognising what is precious.
  8. Matthew 13:51–52 — New and old treasures.
  9. Mark 1:21–28 — Teaching with authority.
  10. Mark 4:26–29 — Growth beyond the sower’s control.
  11. Mark 6:30–34 — Compassion and teaching.
  12. Mark 9:33–37 — Greatness and receiving a child.
  13. Mark 10:13–16 — Letting children come to Christ.
  14. Luke 2:41–52 — Jesus among the teachers.
  15. Luke 4:16–22 — Scripture read and explained.
  16. Luke 10:25–37 — A question and the Good Samaritan.
  17. Luke 10:38–42 — Making time to listen.
  18. Luke 24:13–35 — The patient teaching on the road to Emmaus.
  19. John 4:7–26 — A conversation that goes deeper.
  20. John 14:25–27 — The Holy Spirit teaches and recalls.

Attention, speech and conversation

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 — A time for silence and a time to speak.
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:1–3 — Listening before speaking.
  3. Proverbs 10:19–21 — The restraint of words.
  4. Proverbs 12:18–19 — Words that wound and heal.
  5. Proverbs 15:1–4 — A gentle answer.
  6. Proverbs 15:22–23 — Counsel and apt speech.
  7. Proverbs 16:21–24 — Speech that makes wisdom welcome.
  8. Proverbs 17:27–28 — Restraint and understanding.
  9. Proverbs 18:2 — Understanding rather than self-display.
  10. Proverbs 18:17 — Hearing the other side.
  11. Sirach 5:9–15 — Steadiness in speech.
  12. Sirach 6:32–37 — Listening and seeking the wise.
  13. Sirach 20:5–8 — Knowing when to speak.
  14. Sirach 27:4–7 — Speech reveals character.
  15. James 1:19–25 — Quick to hear and slow to speak.
  16. James 3:3–12 — The tongue’s power.
  17. Ephesians 4:25–32 — Speech that builds up.
  18. Colossians 4:5–6 — Speech with grace.
  19. 1 Peter 3:15–16 — An answer with gentleness and reverence.
  20. Philippians 4:8–9 — What to give one’s attention to.

Work, study and perseverance

  1. Genesis 2:15 — Work and keeping what is entrusted.
  2. Exodus 31:1–11 — Skill, craft and the Spirit.
  3. Proverbs 6:6–11 — Learning diligence from the ant.
  4. Proverbs 12:11 — Steady work.
  5. Proverbs 14:23 — Work beyond mere talk.
  6. Proverbs 21:5 — Diligent planning.
  7. Proverbs 22:29 — Skill in one’s work.
  8. Proverbs 24:30–34 — The neglected field.
  9. Ecclesiastes 9:10 — Doing the work at hand.
  10. Sirach 38:24–34 — Learning and the dignity of crafts.
  11. Luke 14:28–33 — Counting the cost.
  12. Luke 16:10–13 — Faithfulness in small things.
  13. Romans 12:9–13 — Zeal and practical service.
  14. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — Discipline and training.
  15. 1 Corinthians 15:58 — Steadfast labour.
  16. Galatians 6:7–10 — Do not grow weary of doing good.
  17. Colossians 3:23–24 — Working wholeheartedly.
  18. 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 — Orderly work and perseverance.
  19. 2 Timothy 2:1–7 — The soldier, athlete and farmer.
  20. Hebrews 12:1–3 — Running with endurance.

Community, friendship and hospitality

  1. Genesis 18:1–8 — Receiving the stranger.
  2. Leviticus 19:9–18 — Neighbourly duties.
  3. Leviticus 19:33–34 — Love for the stranger.
  4. Ruth 1:15–18 — Loyal companionship.
  5. 1 Samuel 18:1–4 — David and Jonathan.
  6. Psalm 133 — The goodness of living in unity.
  7. Proverbs 17:17 — Friendship in adversity.
  8. Proverbs 27:5–10 — Faithful friendship.
  9. Proverbs 27:17 — Mutual sharpening.
  10. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 — Companionship and mutual help.
  11. Sirach 6:5–17 — Discerning a faithful friend.
  12. Sirach 9:10 — The value of an old friend.
  13. Luke 14:7–14 — Humility and hospitality.
  14. John 15:12–17 — Friendship and self-giving love.
  15. Acts 2:42–47 — A shared life of prayer and fellowship.
  16. Acts 4:32–35 — Care for those in need.
  17. Romans 12:14–21 — Living peaceably and overcoming evil.
  18. 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 — Different members of one body.
  19. Ephesians 4:1–6 — Unity and patience.
  20. Hebrews 13:1–3 — Brotherly love and hospitality.

Truth, judgement and discernment

  1. Exodus 20:16 — False witness.
  2. Deuteronomy 16:18–20 — Justice in judgement.
  3. 1 Kings 3:5–12 — Solomon asks for discernment.
  4. Psalm 15 — Integrity in speech and action.
  5. Psalm 25:4–10 — Asking to be taught God’s paths.
  6. Psalm 119:9–16 — Learning and keeping the word.
  7. Psalm 119:97–105 — Meditation and a lamp for the path.
  8. Proverbs 11:1–3 — Honest measures and integrity.
  9. Proverbs 14:15–18 — The prudent examine their steps.
  10. Proverbs 18:10–12 — Humility before honour.
  11. Isaiah 5:20–21 — Confusing good and evil.
  12. Micah 6:6–8 — Justice, kindness and humility.
  13. Matthew 7:15–20 — Knowing by the fruits.
  14. John 8:31–36 — Truth and freedom.
  15. John 18:33–38 — Witness to the truth.
  16. Acts 17:10–12 — Examining what one hears.
  17. Romans 12:1–2 — Renewal of the mind.
  18. 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 — Testing and holding fast to good.
  19. 1 John 4:1–6 — Testing the spirits.
  20. Ephesians 4:11–16 — Maturity and truth in love.

Prayer, humility and interior life

  1. 1 Samuel 3:1–10 — Learning to recognise a call.
  2. 1 Kings 19:9–13 — Attending in stillness.
  3. Psalm 1 — Delight and meditation.
  4. Psalm 19:7–14 — Wisdom and the words of the heart.
  5. Psalm 23 — Being guided.
  6. Psalm 27:7–14 — Seeking and waiting.
  7. Psalm 46:8–11 — Stillness before God.
  8. Psalm 51:10–17 — A clean heart and contrition.
  9. Psalm 90:12–17 — Numbering our days wisely.
  10. Psalm 131 — A quieted soul.
  11. Wisdom 7:7–14 — Prayer for wisdom.
  12. Wisdom 9:1–18 — Wisdom asked as a gift.
  13. Sirach 2:1–11 — Patience in trial.
  14. Matthew 6:19–24 — The heart’s treasure.
  15. Matthew 6:25–34 — Anxiety and trust.
  16. Luke 11:1–13 — The disciples ask to be taught prayer.
  17. Luke 18:9–14 — The Pharisee and the tax collector.
  18. Philippians 4:4–7 — Prayer and peace.
  19. James 1:2–8 — Asking God for wisdom.
  20. 1 Peter 5:5–7 — Humility and entrusting anxiety.

Hope, service and handing on

  1. Isaiah 40:28–31 — Renewed strength.
  2. Isaiah 50:4–5 — A disciple’s ear and a word for the weary.
  3. Isaiah 54:10–14 — Children taught by the Lord.
  4. Isaiah 55:6–11 — The fruitfulness of God’s word.
  5. Jeremiah 1:4–10 — A young person called to speak.
  6. Daniel 1:8–20 — Learning and integrity under pressure.
  7. Joel 2:28–29 — Young and old receiving God’s gifts.
  8. Matthew 25:14–30 — Gifts entrusted for fruitful use.
  9. Matthew 25:31–46 — Serving Christ in others.
  10. Luke 1:46–55 — Mercy from generation to generation.
  11. Luke 22:24–27 — Leadership as service.
  12. John 21:15–19 — Love and pastoral responsibility.
  13. Romans 5:1–5 — Perseverance and hope.
  14. Romans 15:1–7 — Bearing with others and offering welcome.
  15. 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 — Fragile vessels and enduring hope.
  16. 2 Timothy 2:2 — Entrusting teaching to faithful people.
  17. 2 Timothy 3:14–17 — Continuing in what has been learned.
  18. Hebrews 10:23–25 — Encouraging one another.
  19. Hebrews 13:7–9 — Remembering faithful leaders.
  20. 1 John 3:16–18 — Love in deed and truth.

For a group reading, choose a single passage. Ask first what it says in context, then what it might require of us. Avoid turning an isolated verse into a complete theory of discipline, learning or childhood.

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