Gift of Teaching

“ The Spiritual Gifts  ”

 “Teacheth”

Romans 12:7

Introduction

  A) What does “teacheth” mean?

  1. To give instructions.
  2. To teach.
  3. To communicate knowledge
  • This may be in a Sunday School class at church or a person to person at home.

 

I. Characteristics of the gift of teaching

  A) The need to make sure of what others say are true

  • This means; You feel it is necessary to make sure what other people say is true.
  • Illustration; Luke-his purpose in writing. Luke 1:1-4… in verse 4 it says…That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
  • Luke, in this verse is wanting Theophilus to make sure of what he was being taught. In other words…make sure that what you are getting ready to teach to others is true.

  B) The need to make sure that “new truths” are really true

  • Luke 1:1… Luke says that his writings were the same as others.
  • “…those things which are most surely believed among us,” This would speak of the life, works, and teachings of Christ, and all the doctrine.

  C) The need to show proof of their teachings from others

  • Luke1:2... Luke let others know that he received his information from others who were eye witnesses
  • Luke also wants them to know that he was qualified… in verse 3… having had perfect understanding”

  D) The desire to give these truths in a special order

  • Again in verse 3… “to write unto thee in order”
  • This means that things need to be done in order. One thing after another. “…having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,”

  E) They are happy to report as many facts as possible

  • The gospel according to Luke is the longest book.
  • Acts 1:1… Note the completeness of his work… “¶ The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”

  F) They feel it is important to be accurate

  • Luke gave very accurate descriptions of events, conversations, circumstances, and physical conditions.
  • Note … Luke 4:38, Acts 7:58, Acts:1:15

  G) They have the ability to know the facts and details of writings

  • Luke 10:30-37; Acts 27:1-8… Luke’s writings give many names, offices, cities, dates, and events.

  H) They want to remain silent until information is heard, observed, and discussed.

  • It is very clear that Luke is silent concerning himself. None of his (Luke) statements are recorded in God’s word.

  I) They are hard workers and endure (continue)

  • Luke was an excellent example here when he stayed with Paul in prison until Paul died… II Timothy 4:10,11…

 

II. Misuses of the gift of “Teacheth”

  A) Being proud of their knowledge

  • Many teachers study hard to learn so much that they often become proud of what they know. I Corinthians 8:1…

  B) They do not like wisdom from uneducated people

  • This means they do not accept any wisdom given by someone that seems less educated than themselves.
  • John 7:15…

  C) They may question other teachers

  • Their attitude may be this… “It isn’t right. I won’t accept it until I check it out.

  D) Criticizing sound teaching because of a few mistakes

  • A teacher thinks it is hard to teach someone else’s teachings if he finds a few mistakes in his teachings.
  • They want to criticize all that is taught.

  E) They depend on human teaching rather than the Holy Spirit

  • The “main tool” of a teacher is their own mind. (Proverbs 3:5 and Isaiah 55:8 and Proverbs 14:12)
  • The reasoning or thinking of man is foolishness with God. I Corinthians 1:20…
  • True understanding is a spiritual matter, not a mental matter. I Corinthians 2:14

  F) They give information that does not really fit right

  • The purpose of all teachings are to exalt Christ and to lead Christians to conform to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29…
  • Most teachers try to stay with exactly what is written in the text.

  G) They tend to make their teaching boring by having too many details

  • Many times teachers want to dig deep and find all the details. But not all people want to hear the details.
  • They dig deep also to prove a point that they are trying to make.

  H) They use only their own library of books

  • They feel that their own library can satisfy their listeners.
  • Research eats up much time and so they don’t try to get on the computer, make a phone call or two, and so on.