Training For The Teaching Ministry
TEXT: Rom. 12:7
SUBJECT: The
Spiritual Gift of Teaching
THEME: Today
We Want to Explore the Spiritual Gift of Teaching and the Characteristics of
the Teaching Ministry.
INTRODUCTION:
This third part is a continuation of the previous posts The Gifted Teacher parts one and two. This portion of the lesson picks up precisely where part two left off.
LESSON:
III. What are the Characteristics of the
Gift of Teaching?
A. Typical Features of the Gift of Teaching.
1. The Example
of Luke.
One of the foremost teachers in the Bible
is Luke. Just look at how he begins his Gospel account!
Luke
1:1-4, Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration
of those things which are most surely believed among us, [2] Even as they
delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and
ministers of the word; [3] It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things
from the very first, to write unto thee in order,
most excellent Theophilus, [4] That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been
instructed.
Does
not Luke sound like a teacher?
— He says of himself that he is an
expert, that his understanding is “perfect,” and that his account will be orderly.
— His desire is that Theophilus “know the certainty”—in other words, to know with exactness of detail.
— Luke’s Gospel as well as the book of Acts are highly detailed
accounts. They are intended to teach
the truth with certainty that Jesus is the Christ.
2. The Instructions to Timothy.
1 Tim. 4:13, Till I come, give attendance to
reading [reading of the Word of God and explaining the passage]
to exhortation [a call
for people to apply the Scriptures], to doctrine. [Systematically teaching the Word]
1 Tim. 5:17, Let the elders that rule well be counted
worthy of double honour, especially they
who labour in the word [Scripture
Exposition] and doctrine [Systematic Teaching].
— The harder a believer works in teaching God’s Word, the more honorable
he/she is.
— It’s sad to realize that many teachers have been diverted away from
the most important pursuit—teaching.
— They make a priority of the details of service and leave the main
priority behind and unattended to.
3. The Skills
of a Teacher.
Teaching was considered a highly valued
profession in both Jewish and Greek circles. To be a teacher within the early
church was also an exalted position—few were called teachers. A great
responsibility was placed upon teachers to be accurate, wise, diligent in their research, and skilled in their
ability to present information. Then as now, the gift of teaching was
expected to display the following characteristics:
A. Concerned with Systematic Sequence.
The
gift of teaching includes great concern with a systematic sequence. Teachers seek to present material in a way
that is easy for others to follow.
ILLUSTRATION: Luke notes that he was writing an orderly account. Luke 1:1-3, Forasmuch as many have taken in
hand to set forth in order a
declaration … It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write unto thee in order….
Obviously Luke was concerned with
consecutive order. The teacher lays out his material so it all points toward
specific themes, which taken together convey the main point.
APPLICATION: A teacher
must seek to be a good communicator. Too often teachers are content to
present the facts as they have studied them, without making their subject
matter of interest or application to their students. For true “learning” to
occur, one must not only be a good researcher and organizer of information, but
an effective communicator—a person who knows how to convey information in a way
that will captivate the will and desire of those who hear him speak.
B. Concerned with Precise Meaning. Luke 1:3,“. . . having had perfect
understanding of all things . . . ” The gift of teaching
includes a concern with the accuracy of words and the use of language.
— A teacher is concerned with
precise definitions and shades of meaning. A teacher can be irritating
at times because he or she is always asking, “What do you mean by that? What does that mean to you?”
— He wants to hear and speak
with accuracy. 2 Tim. 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
C. Concerned with Reporting Research.
Luke 1: 2, a declaration .
. . they delivered them . . . ministers of the word; The gift of teaching includes a delight in
researching and reporting as many details as possible.
ILLUSTRATION: The Gospel of Luke contains more details
about key events than any other Gospel. Luke sees meaning in details. The
person gifted in teaching delights in his own study of a passage of Scripture
or in his own research. He takes great joy in seeing meaning in factual details
that may have been overlooked by others. Once this information has been
acquired, the teacher longs to share everything he knows. At times that can be
more information than others want or need to hear, but the teacher feels
compelled to “teach all.”
No other Gospel writer tells us about the
birth of Jesus as Luke tells us. Nearly three chapters of His Gospel are
devoted to the birth of Jesus—he not only tells the story of Mary and Joseph,
but also the stories of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and Simeon and Anna. He does
not deal only with the facts of the story, but with dialog, monologue, and
references to the Old Testament.
D. Concerned with Thorough Study. (Ezra 7:10, 25; 1Tim. 4:6)
The
gift of teaching includes a great interest in knowing as much as possible about
a subject being studied.
1. A Teacher Never Tires of Delving into a
Chosen Area of Study, or Engaging in Multiple Studies with Increasing Depth over
Time.
2. The Teacher Desires That All of the
Information He Presents Is Accurate, Valid, and Verifiable.
ILLUSTRATION: Traditional historical accounts tell us that
Luke took several years to research his Gospel, talking to numerous people who
had known Jesus personally. Then his
reporting continued into the Book of Acts as he declares the ministry of Christ
continuing through the Apostles under the Holy Spirit’s administration. Acts 1:1-3, The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began
both to do and teach, [2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he
through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had
chosen: [3] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen
of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of
God:
E.
Concerned with Promoting Change!
Remember, the
Bible is not to be studied as an end in itself, but as a revelation of God and
His truth to us so that our thinking, our values, our habits, our actions, our
words, and most of all, our very lives are changed. Change!
That is the grand purpose of the Bible. Changing us so that we become more than
the person we were yesterday, less like a fallen person and more like God.
God isn’t merely
a safety net or a lifeboat. He isn’t just walking with us to rescue us from
problems so that our lives will go smoother. He requires active participation
from us. He demands our commitment, our allegiance, our worship, and our
obedience. To do that, we need the power of the Word (Hebrews 4:12).
When we learn the true word and follow it,
•
hurting
people are helped;
•
abused
people are healed;
•
angry
people are soothed;
•
depressed
people are encouraged;
•
fearful
people are given courage;
•
weak
people are given strength;
•
confused
people are given insight;
•
foolish
people are given wisdom;
•
ignorant
people are given knowledge;
•
selfish
people are given generosity;
•
hateful
people are given love;
•
doubting
people are given faith;
•
aggressive
people are given gentleness;
•
proud
people are given humility.
It isn’t quick
and it isn’t easy, but it is sure.
B.
God’s Power
to Execute
the Teaching Ministry (Grace for Our Inadequacies).
1. Weigh
Your Responsibilities Carefully.
It is important for every believer to
weigh these matters about teaching responsibilities and characteristics very
carefully.
- James reminded the teachers of this extremely
important fact. James 3:1, says, “My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” The truth
is that Teachers will be held in a more severe and stricter judgment than
their students.
- This may seem unfair, but yet it forces us to be
careful and accurate in what the Lord calls us to do. It gives us good reason to reflect upon
our responsibilities as servants of God.
- Once again we want to notice that next sentence
in that same chapter gives another reason: “For in many
things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a
perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (Js. 3:2a).
APPLICATION: As Bible teachers we know that we make many
mistakes; we stumble in so many ways and are largely misunderstood in too many
things. This kind of reflection can have
a negative impact if we are not careful.
2. Take The Teaching Challenge in Grace.
A. We Are Naturally Hesitant to Presume to Teach
Others the Word.
We see ourselves as being grossly inadequate for the task and therefore reluctant
to respond to God’s calling upon our lives.
B. Teach in Faith and by God’s Grace.
However, it is evident in analyzing the
lives of God’s leaders that this feeling of inadequacy is not a good reason for
declining the job. After all, we are all sinners saved by grace before God.
— Who among us could claim
that we have not blown it in many ways and in many different situations? If
that is an adequate reason for not stepping up and taking the lead, no one
would ever do so.
— Remember God gives the
motivational gift of teaching to His Bible instructors, therefore be one who
labors in the Word of God with confidence in God’s grace to enable you to be
fruitful in this ministry.
3. Rely upon the Spirit’s Anointing Power.
When one is
yielded to God and relies on the anointing of the Spirit wonderful things take
place! There is progressive, personal sanctification that is manifested in the
fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). There is the teaching of spiritual truths
that can come only by the guidance and illumination of the Spirit (John
16:12–14).
- The deep things of God
can only be known by those who rely upon the teaching ministry of the
Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9, 10). The Spirit enables the teacher and believer to
apply the truths of the Word of God to their particular situations. The
Spirit also enables the teacher to properly worship and love God (John
4:24).
- In addition to all of
the personal blessings derived from reliance upon the power of the Spirit,
there are the blessings of the Spirit’s anointing in ministry to the local
body of Christ. The natural and spiritual gifts one possesses for ministry
are dependent upon the power of the Spirit if they are to be exercised
effectively.
- Jesus likened the anointing
of the Spirit to rivers of living water flowing from within the believer
(Jn. 7:38). Rivers of living water speaks of divine energy, energy that
enables the believer to serve God effectively. One may possess great
spiritual gifts and yet not be used of God if there is not a reliance upon
His power. On the other hand, one may have few gifts and yet be greatly
used of God because of a reliance upon the anointing.
- Jesus taught us to rely
upon the Spirit of God. With humility He said, “I can of mine own self do
nothing” (John 5:30). He set an example for those who teach when He
expressed His need for the power of the Spirit to sustain Him. We, too,
are to rely upon the Spirit’s power and guidance so that we might
accomplish the work He has for us.
CONCLUSION:
In
conclusion, 1Cor 15:10, says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which
was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they
all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
All
of the apostles had been called to that position “by
the grace of God,” but Paul was without peer in his devotion (1Cor.
9:19-27). Only by God’s undeserved favor poured out upon repentant sinners was
Paul saved and enabled to serve. And he certainly ministered with great energy
and effectiveness! He had worked harder than any of the other apostles, as he
traveled more, suffered more opposition, wrote more New Testament epistles, and
founded more churches. This was not an arrogant boast because he knew that his
hard work was a result of “the grace of God”
that was “with” him. The history of Christianity
confirms that his devotion was entirely effectual. Yet Paul knew and ministered
with the recognition that it was not his power, but God’s (1Cor 2:4-5) which
produced these outstanding results (1Cor 3:6).
Likewise, let us recognize that the same grace is available to us to
teach God’s Word effectively and see other lives transformed by His mighty
grace.
The Grace of God
1. There are those who regard themselves as simply the
effects of natural causes.
2. Others are wont to attribute their character to
social and civil influences, the times and institutions in which they live.
3. There are men of great individuality and power of
character who are apt to attribute to their own selves the whole skill and
efficiency of their life.
4. The truly Christian man is wont to combine all
these as composing a Divine providence; and led by the Spirit of God to see his
life and character in its relations to God’s superintending power and grace…. –The Biblical Illustrator
