Teachers: The Gift Beneath

.... Through the ministries of an apostle, evangelist, prophet, or pastor, we always see the underlying presence of a teaching ministry as well, but Christians can also become a teacher without holding those higher offices. So let’s take some time to isolate the role of a teacher, the last of the major ministries, and to discuss its supporting role for all of the others. And let’s begin by putting this ministry in it's proper perspective:

.... "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ."

(Matthew 23:10)

.... As such, a Christian teacher must clearly understand his subordination to the Lord Himself, who is always the true teacher through the Holy Spirit. His role is more like a student teacher or perhaps a spokesman. Nor is he neccesarily the only spokesman in the class; he is simply the leading voice of the overall presentation and the leader of the group (1 Corinthians 14:26). When an actual discussion ensues, he becomes the coordinator and sometimes the judge of the overall teaching that emerges.
.

.... This brings us to the teacher’s presentation. Unlike the pastor who gives a sermon, which is essentially a one-way communication, the teacher may have enough leeway to encourage discussion or other forms of group participation:

.... "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."

(1 Corinthians 14:26)

.... If an open discussion format is used, it places a unique series of burdens on the teacher. First, through prayer and Scriptural research, he must thoroughly acquaint himself in advance with the subject that is to be discussed. He must then guide an open discussion, even to the point of fielding questions from an open body of students – all the while keeping his heart and mind in tune with the Lord, who is the true teacher, to answer and present each of these points as he feels the Lord is bidding Him.

.
.... It is in their basic role as a teacher that apostles, pastors, etc., will best equip the students, drawing them into conversations that will help them grapple with issues and explore them, come to terms with what they mean, and strive to apply them properly. This will train them to think for themselves and, because it is a live discussion, it will eventually train them to minister their understanding to others. But as we have mentioned, the open discussion puts yet another burden on the teacher:
.

.... The teacher must insure the Scriptural integrity of everything that is taught in the class, so he must also respond to any inaccuracies that are presented in the discussion. If he remains silent to an incorrect point that a student makes, it may be viewed as tacit agreement, so this is where teaching requires a special apritude. Most of us find it unpleasant to contradict another speaker so the teacher must speak the truth in love, always pointing to Jesus in his answer, or allow the other students in the class to do so (if they are mature enough to do it in love):

.... "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ– from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

(Ephesians 4:15-16)

To proceed to the next lesson, click here

Daily Bible Reading: Philippians 2