Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers... (1 Corinthians 12:27-28 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach... (Romans 12:7 NIV)

The Spiritual Gift of Teaching Defined

The gift of teaching is the God-given ability to understand and communicate biblical truth in a clear and relevant manner so that there is understanding and application.

People with the Gift of Teaching

Learning, researching, communicating, and illustrating truth are qualities that an individual will manifest when exercising the gift of teaching. These people enjoy studying and learning new information, and find great joy in sharing it with others. The format of teaching varies from one-on-one discipleship to formal classes, informal Bible studies, large groups, and preaching, which is a form of teaching.

Teaching in Jesus' Ministry

Throughout the gospels, Jesus was commonly referred to as Rabbi, which means "teacher." Matthew 4:23 says that "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching," and Matthew 7:28-29 says that "the crowds were amazed at his [Jesus'] teaching because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."

Teaching in Scripture

Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26), Paul (Acts 19:8-10; 20:20; Colossians 1:28; 1 Timothy 2:7), elders/pastors (1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17), Timothy (1 Timothy 4:11,13; 6:2), and godly women (Titus 2:2-4) all demonstrated the gift of teaching.

Do You Have This Gift?

• Do you enjoy studying and researching?
• Do you enjoy imparting biblical truth to others?
• Do others come to you for insight into Scripture?
• When you teach, do people "get it"?
• When you see someone confused in their understanding of the Bible do you feel a responsibility to speak to them about it?
• Do you enjoy speaking to various sizes of groups about biblical issues you have strong convictions about?