What is the spiritual gift of teaching?

Answer

The spiritual gift of teaching is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:1–12). It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit, enabling one to effectively communicate the truths of the Bible to others. It is most often, but not always, used in the context of the local church. The gift of teaching involves the analysis and proclamation of the Word of God, explaining the meaning, context, and application to the hearer’s life. The gifted teacher is one who has the unique ability to clearly instruct and communicate knowledge, specifically the doctrines of the faith and truths of the Bible.

God gave spiritual gifts to edify His church. Paul instructed the church at Corinth to seek to edify and build up Christ’s church, telling them that since they were “eager” to have spiritual gifts, they should “try to excel in gifts that build up the church” «Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. », (1 Corinthians 14:12). A spiritual gift (charismata in Greek) is a supernatural, God-given ability to perform a ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. It is given graciously by God and cannot be earned. While a spiritual gift can be developed, it does require a supernatural ability to exercise it. One of these gifts is teaching.

The Greek word for “teach” is didaskalos, which means “to instruct.” We see examples all through the Bible of teaching. Jesus Himself was the Great Teacher, and Jesus commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everythi

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus instructed His disciples to teach new disciples everything He had commanded, guiding them in both doctrine and holy living. Ministers of Christ are tasked with teaching only what is ordained by Christ, not the commandments of men or human inventions.

The gift of teaching can be utilized in various settings such as Sunday school classes, Bible schools, colleges, seminaries, and home Bible studies. Those with this gift can teach individuals or groups. While someone with a natural talent for teaching can instruct on a wide range of subjects, those with the spiritual gift of teaching focus on imparting the content of the Bible. They can teach the message of a book in its entirety or break it down into paragraphs or verses. Individuals with the gift of teaching do not introduce new material; rather, they clarify or elaborate on the meaning of the Bible’s text.

Teaching is a supernatural gift from the Holy Spirit. While someone without this gift can comprehend the Bible as they hear or read it, they cannot interpret it as effectively as someone with the gift of teaching. Although it can be honed, the spiritual gift of teaching is not something that can be acquired through formal education like a college degree. A person with a Ph.D. but lacking the gift of teaching will not be able to explain the Bible as proficiently as someone without a degree but endowed with the gift of teaching.

In Ephesians 4:11–12, Paul identifies foundational gifts for the edification of the local church. These gifts are bestowed for the growth of the body of Christ. In verse 11, teachers are mentioned alongside pastors. While this does not necessarily indicate a single gift, it does imply that a pastor is also a teacher. The Greek word for pastor is “poimen,” which translates to “shepherd.” A pastor is akin to a shepherd who tends to his flock. Just as a shepherd feeds his sheep, a pastor also bears the responsibility of teaching them.

Church leaders feed their congregation with the spiritual nourishment of the Word of God.

The congregation is enriched through the utilization of the gift of teaching as they attentively listen to the Word of God, comprehend its significance, and learn how to incorporate it into their daily lives. God has appointed numerous individuals with this talent to uplift believers in their faith and empower them to advance in wisdom and knowledge. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”, (2 Peter 3:18).

How can followers of Christ determine if they possess the gift of teaching? They should start by seeking opportunities from God to teach a Sunday school class or lead a Bible study, under the supervision and direction of a skilled instructor. If they can effectively elucidate the meaning of the Bible and receive positive feedback, it is likely that they possess the gift and should petition God for additional chances to utilize and enhance their talent.