In a previous article, we considered several ways people wrongly assess whether they have the spiritual gift of teaching. In this article, we will consider the right ways to determine if the Spirit has enabled us to teach in the church. Before we begin, let’s return to our definition:
The biblical gift of teaching is a supernaturally endowed spiritual ability that may resemble and overlap with, but is not the same as, a natural ability to teach. A spiritually gifted teacher is a born-again Christian who is able to teach the Word of God in a way that accurately conveys the meaning of Scripture and consistently edifies, encourages, and motivates God’s people to obedience. A spiritually gifted teacher will also be able to apply the truth to himself as he teaches it to others.
As we noted in the last article, just because a man has a winsome personality or has taught in educational settings (high school, college, etc.). it doesn’t mean that God has gifted him to be a teacher in the local church.. The ability to teach Scripture for the church’s edification is a supernatural gift only the Holy Spirit can give.
When a person possesses the gift of teaching, they will be able to accurately communicate the meaning of Scripture so that the church is consistently edified, strengthened, and motivated to walk in faith and obedience. But a gifted teacher is not only someone who can convey the meaning of Scripture—they will also be able to apply what they are teaching to themselves.
But how might we discern if we possess this gift? In this article, I will offer seven questions we must ask ourselves as we consider how God has gifted us.
Question #1: Are You Are Born Again?
The gift of teaching is a spiritual gift that the Spirit gives at the moment of conversion, so we must first be saved before we can possess the gift of teaching (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-13). While it is possible for someone to have a counterfeit gift while still unconverted, only those who are truly born again can possess the actual spiritual gift of teaching. Furthermore, only a genuine Christian with a renewed mind will have an appropriate sensitivity to God’s Word and possess the capacity to understand it the way God intends (see also 1 Cor 2:10-16).
Question #2: Do You Have the “Gift” of Preparation?
Here I put “gift” in quotes because Scripture never speaks of a “gift” of preparation; it only speaks of the gift of teaching (Rom 12:7). Nevertheless, true teaching can only happen if a teacher has prepared through personal study and meditation (2 Tim 2:15). Thus, teaching and preparation are inextricably linked: if a person cannot prepare profitably, they will not teach profitably.
While all Christians desire to be in the Word of God, not every Christian can take what they learn in personal study and convey it to others in a way that promotes understanding. I’ve known Christians throughout the years who, though well-read and well-versed in Scripture and a blessing to talk to in personal conversation, are unable to teach what they have learned in formal and semi-formal settings. They may learn much for themselves and experience real growth and edification through their Bible study (wonderful!), but they can’t take that knowledge and convey it to a group of fellow believers in a way that edifies, illuminates, and encourages obedience.
They may lack the ability to discern what is most beneficial for their audiences, so they fill up their study with overly technical research that proves unnecessary and unusable. Or they may be unable to determine where they lack knowledge, so they enter the teaching event not adequately prepared for potential questions or objections. They may have trouble organizing their study into a logically coherent argument so people find them hard to follow.
Granted, a person with the gift of teaching will grow in their ability to discern what is best for their hearers and how to better fill in their deficiencies in knowledge. Every Bible teacher is always learning how to better frame their arguments and outlines. But, for a person who lacks the gift, these essential elements of preparation will be generally insurmountable.
Furthermore, a person with the gift of teaching will grow in clarity, not confusion, as they go deeper into their study. Those who lack the gift may find that their confusion increases the deeper they go into a particular passage or topic. It’s not enough to simply keep learning; a skilled teacher will come to a knowledge of the truth (see 2 Tim 3:7).
Question #3: Can You Articulate the Truth You’ve Learned?
Not only are you able to study effectively and profitably, but you can also articulate clearly what you have learned to others. Again, true teachers will grow in this area as well. But some essential qualities must be in place.
First, a gifted teacher will possess spiritual clarity and discernment. This point relates to what we just noted about preparation. A person with the gift of teaching will be clear in his own mind about the truth before he teaches. It is only when a man has intellectual and spiritual clarity that he is able to teach Scripture to others. A lack of clarity leads to twisting the Scriptures, particularly the more difficult portions (2 Pet 3:16).
This clarity of mind is vital because the teacher’s task is to build up the saints so that they are no longer “tossed to and fro by every wind and wave of doctrine” (Eph 4:14). If the teacher is constantly wavering in his own mind, he is not fit for the work of theologically stabilizing God’s people.
Second, a person with the gift of teaching will have a reasonable grasp and fluency of spoken language. This principle does not require a Bible teacher to have a large vocabulary, to be particularly eloquent, or to have a certain amount of education. But it does mean he doesn’t constantly make verbal mistakes or misuse words. It also means that he is not confusing in his delivery and articulation of biblical doctrine.
Someone may challenge this point by appealing to Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 1-2 where the apostle chides the use of rhetoric and proclaims to his readers that he will only preach the simple gospel of “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:1), which is “folly” to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18). But such an objection misunderstands Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 1-2. He is not suggesting that teachers can fumble all over themselves so long as they can preach the gospel. Indeed, Paul’s argument against fancy rhetoric is itself a well-argued, well-written polemic that makes use of irony, robust theology, and Old Testament Scripture.
Paul’s point is not for Bible teachers to ignore normal language conventions or to be ambivalent about their use of words. Rather, he is exhorting the Corinthians to not become enamored with language for its own sake so that Christ remains hidden behind the teacher’s intellect. Dennis Johnson says it well:
Although Paul shunned the self-glorifying ornamentation of Greek rhetoric, he exhibited great sensitivity to his obligation to communicate God’s message in a form that would communicate meaningfully for his hearers.1
A person whom the Spirit has endowed with the gift of teaching will have some amount of fluency with spoken language because the task demands such skill, by definition.
Question #4: Are You Able to Teach in Faith and From Faith?
When Paul instructed the Roman Christians on using their spiritual gifts, he prefaced his exhortation with a reminder that God grants each person a measure of faith by which they can exercise their spiritual gift (Rom 12:3). A Christian whom the Spirit has gifted to teach will be able to engage that gift in faith—with the confidence that he is doing what God has enabled him to do. A gifted teacher won’t constantly sense that they are doing something that God does not approve of.
But a gifted teacher will also teach from faith. In other words, a gifted Bible teacher will believe the truth he proclaims to others. While the Spirit may use the teaching of someone who teaches accurately but doesn’t really believe what he is teaching, the Spirit’s normal operation is to bless preaching that comes from a heart of faith. Paul said to the Corinthians, “…we also believe, so we also speak” (1 Cor 4:13). He reminded the Thessalonians that his preaching came to them in full conviction and in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 1:5). The Spirit dwells in our hearts by faith (Gal 3:1ff), and he attends the taught word with power when we teach from faith.
Question #5: Do You Edify God’s People?
A church that is blessed by a sound teaching ministry will be characterized by four primary qualities: competent ministry among the members, spiritual growth, doctrinal stability, and love (Eph 4:12-16). We can conclude, then, that a gifted teacher will be one whose teaching ministry promotes these qualities among God’s people.
At basic, someone with the gift of teaching will be able to edify God’s people through faithful, accurate, and loving instruction from God’s Word. If we desire to know if we have the gift of teaching, we should inquire: Does my teaching build up other believers in the faith? Do others say that my teaching helped them to understand and apply the truth of God’s Word?
Edification is more than just feeling encouraged with vague thoughts about God. True edification is rooted in understanding the truth (1 Cor 14:5, 17). This means a gifted teacher will be someone who enables God’s people to better understand God’s Word, not just someone who can speak well in public and use Bible verses to make his audience feel good.
Question #6: Are You Able to Apply the Truth to Yourself?
Someone might object that this criterion has nothing to do with the act of teaching—that all that is required is the ability to accurately convey the meaning of Scripture. Someone might further object and say that by making this a measure of the teaching gift, I am failing to distinguish between a gifted, mature teacher and a gifted, immature believer. In other words, it is possible to have the gift of teaching and yet not have the character that matches the gift.
While I grant that it is possible to be gifted in teaching yet immature (that seemed to be the situation in Corinth), I think we need to be careful not to sharply separate the act of teaching from the character of the teacher. An important aspect of teaching is applying the truth in real, concrete ways to one’s listeners. Consider how Ezra’s teaching ministry followed a particular order: he studied God’s Word, applied it to himself, then taught it to others (Ezra 7:10). Stated negatively: A teacher who doesn’t apply the truth to his own life cannot effectively apply it to others.
Moreover, our ability to understand the truth depends on our obedience to it, as the Psalmist reminds us: “I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts” (Ps 119:100). The implication is straightforward: If we do not walk in obedience to the truth we teach, our overall understanding of Scripture will be hindered, and our teaching will, in turn, be ineffective.
So, can we say that someone is a gifted teacher when they have difficulty applying the truth to themselves? We could ask it this way: Is a pattern of hypocrisy and immaturity an indication that one does not have the gift of teaching? I believe when it comes to teaching, we will better discern our gifts and the gifts of others when we make personal application part of the assessment.
Question #7: Do Godly Saints, Trusted Leaders, and Skilled Bible Teachers Affirm Your Gift?
Our spiritual gifts are not ultimately discovered by taking a quiz, completing a survey, or filling out a questionnaire. We discover our gifts among the people for whom they were given: the local body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7). While Paul calls us to assess our gifts with a sober mind (Rom 12:3), we cannot rely on self-assessment alone to give us an accurate picture of our gifts. We need fellow believers to offer us honest, forthright feedback so we can see clearly how God has equipped us to serve his people.
When it comes to teaching, it makes sense that those who listen to us would play a role in confirming our gift. If you think the Spirit has enabled you to teach, humbly pursue ways to exercise that gift, but, just as importantly, request feedback about your teaching. Involve your pastors and other church leaders if they aren’t already part of the process and be open to their observations, critiques, and counsel. Ask godly, mature saints in the church for their honest opinions about how well you teach, and listen carefully to what they say. If we are gifted to teach, mature believers will be able to tell.
Conclusion
Biblical teaching is the lifeblood of the church. Healthy doctrine taught by skilled teachers leads to healthy congregations. When someone whom the Spirit has endowed with the gift of teaching exercises their gift, the body is greatly blessed. But when someone steps into the teaching role without the gift, the congregation will, at best, not be built up in the faith, and, at worst, be subject to spiritual harm. It is for this reason that James said, “Let not many of you become teachers” (James 3:1). Albert Martin says it well:
There is nothing shameful about coming to the conclusion that one does not possess the requisite gifts for the work of the ministry, and that they will most likely never be acquired by prayer, wise and godly mentoring, and arduous effort. However, it is shameful and ultimately tragic to acknowledge the absence of the requisite gifts and yet force one’s way into Christian ministry. To do this is to bring oneself under the the indictment concerning the false prophets in Jeremiah’s day, of whom the LORD said, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination” (Jere 14:14).
We certainly don’t want to discourage those in the church who have the gift of teaching, but we do want each potential teacher to assess their gifts appropriately. This practice will protect both the congregation and the one who desires to teach.2
NOTES
1Dennis E. Johnson, Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from all the Scriptures (Phillipsburg: P & R, 2007), 74.
2Albert N. Martin, The Man of God: His Calling and Godly Life (Trinity Pulpit Press, 2018), 122.