Teacher’s Motivation in Christian Education

This study is to examine teacher’s motivation in Christian education. Motivation theory has had a significant impact on education. It is also an important issue in Christian education. For the most part, Christian education has focused on the teacher’s vocation and teaching biblical content. It has paid little attention to how specific reinforcement and motivation theories influence student learning and teachers in the Sunday school classroom. How do we invite all students in an educational setting to participate in biblical learning in the Sunday school classroom? In establishing the basic foundations for education the church asks us, Christian educators, to consider: how do we educate our students? It is a significant question and it calls us to pay attention to the processes and methods that we use to help people learn. However, to answer this question we must approach it with care. This article will synthesize and analyze a large body of literature which should be read and familiarized with by educational leaders. First, this article will review the current understanding of motivation theories. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation theories will be discussed. Also Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in human resource organizations will be examined. Next this article will explore two motivational theories for teacher motivation. Finally, it will suggest how Christian education students and teachers can be motivated in the Sunday school classroom. Psychic rewards, empowerment and work enrichment will also be discussed as alternative methods for motivation.