What’s a Teacher?

1 Cor 12:28

Teaching anything is a skill, teaching the Bible is a gift.  Teaching is more than conveying a message, teaching is the gift of breaking down the information so that the student finds it easy to understand.  I have heard lectures from teachers that obviously did not have the gift.  They spent their time delivering a mountain of information that did not edify, explain, or apply.  A teacher with the gift will change their style and amount of information to fit the audience.  A teacher with the gift will not introduce new material not covered by the Bible.

Not everyone with the skill should become teachers of the Word.  James 3:1 states that teachers are to be judged more strictly because of the impact they can have on a congregation.  There are few Apostles and Prophets.  There are more teachers, but if you’re called to be a teacher, make sure you are learning at the same time, called by the Holy Spirit, and free from sins that may detract from the lesson.