I wish it were always sweetness and joy, but experience tells us that we will not always feel wonderful about our teaching ministry.

I listened to someone "coaching" another teacher about "revving up" their presentation by pretending to be excited. "If you aren't really excited, it's ok, just fake it," was the advice given. "You'll start to feel more natural as you go. If you don't show 'em passion, you can't sell 'em on the application."

This was a disturbing message to hear.

Don't try to fake passion.

Don't try to fake passion, enthusiasm, or anything. The people in your class or study group are not going to be fooled. God is not going to be fooled. And if someone is fooled, it's only going to be temporarily -- with no real life change result.

It's absolutely true to people respond -- powerfully -- to genuine emotions. If their "sincerity meter" registers, emotions can make a huge difference in their understanding and retention of what's being taught. We are wired to learn better when there is an emotional component to the lesson. (It can be simply that someone is having fun.)

But faking anything is not honoring to the Lord, and will not be used by God to bring fruit that lasts.

So what do you do if you're not feeling excited or passionate? We've all hit some dry spells. How should you, dear teacher, handle it?

First, you should take this to the Lord in prayer. "Renew me, Lord. Help me to see your presence right around me, even now. Restore to me the joy of your salvation! Reveal to me anything which is blocking my experience of joy in the Holy Spirit, and help me to confess it." Second, keep going. It's tempting to quit or bow out, thinking to yourself that you're not qualified to teach. Don't do it.

Depending upon your teaching situation, this can be a great opportunity for transparency. It's helpful to know that other people don't always "feel" passionate. Our discipleship walk is not really about our feelings, right -- it's based in the FACTS of our salvation and sanctification.

Be sure to ask others to pray for you. We are not solo Christians, we are designed to operate in community.

Be patient with this process.

God is faithful. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.