'If it is teaching, then teach': Monica Hill looks at the spiritual gift of teaching.
'Teaching', the third of the seven Spiritual Gifts described by Paul to the Romans, also appears as a Ministry Role in the church in Ephesians 4. However, understanding the context of Romans 12 gives it a much wider application.
The emphasis in all the gifts listed in Romans 12 is captured in the pre-amble which stresses that our minds need to be transformed and we should not be proud or think of ourselves more highly that we ought. We must ensure that we recognise the difference between using our natural abilities and the transformation that God can make in their effectiveness when they become spiritual gifts. Natural gifts used God's way can have real spiritual value if they are used in accordance both with God's will and also with the level of faith which we have attained.
Natural gifts used God's way can have real spiritual value if they are used in accordance both with God's will and with our own level of faith.
Where do we start?
The Greek word 'didasko' means to teach, instruct, instil doctrine, explain and expound, and it gives us our English word, 'didactic'. Although some commentators say that a teacher is one who loves to research and communicate truth, good teachers do not just proclaim their knowledge and beliefs. They always teach what their students need to know about a specific subject – and will try to portray it in such a way that students will understand and accept the concepts. They will not necessarily show off their own knowledge by preparing something on an issue that is of great importance to themselves (in academic circles that is a 'lecture' with the more appropriate teaching taking place in small interactive 'seminars' or in one-to-one 'tutorials'), as teaching needs to be two-way.
God's will for teachers is to ensure not only that they do their Father's will themselves but also that they take responsibility for enabling others to understand it and want to do it. So a teacher will start where his or her students are and try to put themselves in their students' shoes – knowing what will help them the most to live out their faith.
One of the basic requirements for all Christians is to know the Lord and his Word and to be willing to obey all his teachings. Job asks "Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again" (34:32). Jesus' final instructions were recorded in Matthew 28:20: "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you".
God's will for teachers is not only that they do their Father's will, but that they also enable others to understand it and want to do it.
Anyone who can express the gospel in a way that can be understood easily is often set apart as a good teacher. But Hebrews 8:11 gives us an insight into the future ideal situation first foretold in Jeremiah 31:34: "No longer will they teach their neighbours, or say to one another, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest." So for someone who has this natural gift of teaching, it is not only important to be able to communicate the right understanding but to be able to take believers the next step further in their faith.
What should we teach?
To the Jews, teaching the Sh'ma (Deut 6:4-9) and the Torah took precedence – giving God's requirements for his people alongside a constant effort to understand the nature and purposes of God. The prophets were constantly reminding leaders of their role with the people:
Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave (Ex 18:20).
Ezekiel emphasised the importance of morality: "teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean" (44:23). The Psalms also give much good advice:
Teach me to do your will (143:.10)
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. (25:5)
Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. (27:11)
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (25:9)
To this Hebraic teaching, the Christians added the life and witness of the risen Christ. Remembering all that Jesus had taught and done with them pervaded the lives of the early believers who "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah" (Acts 5:42). And they were not left without a teacher to help them when Jesus' earthly life was over: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26). In times of trouble "the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say" (Luke 12:12).
Scripture shows us that we are to learn and teach God's Word, his requirements for mankind, his nature and purposes, as well as his morality. We add to this the life and witness of the risen Christ, and are to do all through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
Both Jews and Christians are 'People of the Book' – they have the Word of God: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope" (Rom 15:4).
There is always more light and truth to be discovered by studying the Word, so we must not be content to paddle in the shallows with elementary teaching but grow to maturity (Heb 5:12-6.3; Eph 4:14) and help others to do so too.
The Hebrews 8:11 passage ("No longer will they teach their neighbours, or say to one another, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest") is not saying that there will be no further role for teachers when everyone knows God for themselves. Hebrews 5:11 emphasises "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again." Until Christ returns there will always be a new generation who need the good news, and sharing our experiences with others is a great blessing to all.
How should we teach?
There are many requirements expected of good teachers:
...the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful... (2 Tim 2:24).
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach... (1 Tim 3:2).
Thankfully, the Bible also gives us tips on how we can teach well. "You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good...In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness". (Titus 2:1-3, 7)
As always, we find our perfect example in Jesus. He taught in parables so that he could easily be understood (Mark 4:2); he taught with authority (Luke 4:32, Mark 1:22) and integrity (Matt 22:16, Mark 12:14). He taught his disciples how to pray when they asked him (Luke 11:1).
Warnings
Teachers should take care that they do not teach just what people want to hear (2 Tim 4:3). They are to believe in and practise what they teach (Rom 2:20-21, 1 Tim 1:7) and not try to teach what they do not believe or for the wrong motives (Titus 1:11).
In the Pharisees and Sadducees we find clear examples of how not to teach. They "like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets" (Luke 20:46, Mark 12:38). They "are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean" (Matt 23:27). They "like to blow the people here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming" (Eph 4:14, Matt 16:12). "Their teachings are merely human rules" (Matt 15:9). They should not be called 'Rabbi', "for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers" (Matt 23:8).
The Bible gives us tips and examples of how to teach, as well as how not to teach.
Passing on the message well
Teaching and passing on the faith is of the greatest importance. 2 Chronicles tells us "For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law" (15:3). In the Old Testament the Teachers and Rabbis taught the whole nation, while in the New Testament the teachers teach the believers in the church and it is the role of all believers to witness to the nation at large.
The Sh'mah tells us to be always open to the opportunity to teach the requirements of God. Parents have the greatest responsibility: "Teach [God's commands] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deut 11:19).
If you lack the confidence to speak, think of the power that God gave to Moses. When he said he had never been eloquent the Lord said to him: "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Ex 4:11-12). Acts 4 gives a powerful example showing us that nothing should stop us teaching and proclaiming our faith.
Blessings and costs
Good teachers inspire their hearers to stand firm and hold fast to what they hear (2 Thess 2:15) so that the message permeates their whole beings (Col 3:16). They encourage people to think differently and teach them new things (Matthew 13:52).
Despite the blessings brought by good teaching both to teachers and students, there are also costs to bear in mind. Biblical teaching demands a denial of self, as status means little - in the New Testament we are taught that "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher" (Luke 6:40, Matt 10:24). Furthermore: "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1).
Finally
Psalm 143 contains this plea to God: "Answer me quickly, Lord; Do not hide your face from me; Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, Show me the way I should go, Rescue me from my enemies, Lord." Then, recognising his own need for change in himself, the psalmist confesses: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" – a cry that we should all be making.
Teaching is a gift and ministry that starts with the Lord feeding us with his word and nurturing us by his presence. But it doesn't end there.
Teaching is a gift and ministry that starts with the Lord feeding us with his word and nurturing us by his presence. But importantly, our faith and oneness with God isn't only given to us for our own salvation. In turn, we are equipped to share with others – whether our own families or other believers – and so to build up the Body of Christ, equipping and discipling people to go and witness to the nations.
Whether or not this translates as a specific teaching gift or role, this joy is for all believers and can take the word of God far beyond church walls. We are to press on in the faith and proclaim Jesus, "teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ" (Col 1:28). We follow the advice that Paul gave to given in 1 Timothy: "If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed" (1 Tim 4:6).
So "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching" (1 Tim 4:13).
If you have any other comments on 'teaching' as a spiritual gift please do add them.
