SPIRITUAL GIFTS: TEACHING
He who teaches, in teaching.
Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
The gift of teaching (instruction) is as necessary to the Christian life as nutrition is to the body. You can survive (for a time) without it, but you will be very unhealthy. This gift of teaching is the supernatural ability to break down the Word of God for the church to understand. This gift goes hand in hand with two other gifts: prophecy and exhortation. Often, in one teaching, all three gifts will be working together. Whereas teaching is explaining God’s Word, prophecy is speaking forth and boldly saying God’s Word no matter the consequences, and exhortation is allowing the aid of God’s Word to come alongside of one’s life. Oftentimes, they can be easily confused for one another but they are actually unique gifts in their own rights.
There is too much to say about the gift of teaching in one devotional, so let me simply encourage those who have this gift with a few thoughts. First, the best way to instruct the church through God’s Word is by demonstration. For example, if you teach the congregation to be grace-filled, but you yourself are not grace-filled, the words you say can be considered empty and will not matter much to most. Living what you teach sharpens the blade of your words and gives them the ability to cut deep. A teacher whose life is contrary to their words is a cloud without water. Teachers, it is imperative that we live what we teach in order to be effective.
My second encouragement is to observe that the spiritual gift of teaching means that one is gifted in teaching the Word of God. Stage presence and eloquence, while appealing, are not spiritual gifts. It is tempting for the teacher to over concern themselves with what isn’t spiritual or beneficial to the congregation. Obviously, a teacher should always be themselves when they teach, but they shouldn’t be intentionally boring either. In fact, their teachings should be engaging and captivating! The important distinction I am making here, though, is that the teacher should have it as their express aim to keep the Word engaging and captivating and not themselves. Simply put: elevate Christ and His Word, not yourselves.
My third encouragement is to be faithful. It’s easy to grow weary from teaching because the congregation doesn’t listen or because what you are called to teach flies in the face of the culture. But keep at it, get your head down and faithfully plow that ground! Don’t look up and focus on the lack of harvest (that’s God’s job) or compare your field with your neighbor’s, simply do the work that God has called you to do! If you have been given the essential spiritual gift of teaching, you are needed! Don’t give up!
There is too much to say about the gift of teaching in one devotional, so let me simply encourage those who have this gift with a few thoughts. First, the best way to instruct the church through God’s Word is by demonstration. For example, if you teach the congregation to be grace-filled, but you yourself are not grace-filled, the words you say can be considered empty and will not matter much to most. Living what you teach sharpens the blade of your words and gives them the ability to cut deep. A teacher whose life is contrary to their words is a cloud without water. Teachers, it is imperative that we live what we teach in order to be effective.
My second encouragement is to observe that the spiritual gift of teaching means that one is gifted in teaching the Word of God. Stage presence and eloquence, while appealing, are not spiritual gifts. It is tempting for the teacher to over concern themselves with what isn’t spiritual or beneficial to the congregation. Obviously, a teacher should always be themselves when they teach, but they shouldn’t be intentionally boring either. In fact, their teachings should be engaging and captivating! The important distinction I am making here, though, is that the teacher should have it as their express aim to keep the Word engaging and captivating and not themselves. Simply put: elevate Christ and His Word, not yourselves.
My third encouragement is to be faithful. It’s easy to grow weary from teaching because the congregation doesn’t listen or because what you are called to teach flies in the face of the culture. But keep at it, get your head down and faithfully plow that ground! Don’t look up and focus on the lack of harvest (that’s God’s job) or compare your field with your neighbor’s, simply do the work that God has called you to do! If you have been given the essential spiritual gift of teaching, you are needed! Don’t give up!
Recent
Archive
2020
May
SPIRITUAL GIFTS: PART 1SPIRITUAL GIFTS: PROPHECYSPIRITUAL GIFTS: MINISTRYSPIRITUAL GIFTS: TEACHINGSPIRITUAL GIFTS: EXHORTATIONSPIRITUAL GIFTS: GIVINGFILLED WITH THE SPIRITSPIRITUAL GIFTS: LEADERSHIPSPIRITUAL GIFTS: MERCYFAITHHOPELOVENEVERTHELESSBE-ATTITUDES: POOR IN SPIRITBE-ATTITUDES: THOSE WHO MOURNBE-ATTITUDES: MEEKNESSBE-ATTITUDES: HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESSBE-ATTITUDES: BEING MERCIFULBE-ATTITUDES: PURE IN HEARTBEATITUDES: PEACEMAKERSBEATITUDES: BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTEDGOD MEANT IT FOR GOODCEASELESS SUPPORTPASSING THE BATON
September