As believers, God has given us spiritual gifts to be used
effectively in expanding His ministry on earth. One of
those gifts is Teaching and when it is effectively used,
it will contribute to the Lord’s purpose.
In essence, all believers become teachers by default.
We teach others:
– through our habits, our words, our attitudes,
and the sincerity of our faith.
– when we show that we have self-control
(it doesn’t mean that things don’t upset us, but we
have learned to restrain our emotional responses).
– when we show others how we have endured
tough times in our lives, or the lives of our loved ones.
– when we are consistent in our worship of the Lord.
– when we consider the importance of others
and with the way we encourage and lift their spirits.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Has a desire to see the truth presented in a systematic sequence.
– Luke 1:3-4
With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated
everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly
account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may
know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
2. Has a desire to emphasize the importance and accuracy of words.
3. Delights in researching and reporting
as many facts on a subject as possible.
Note: There are more details included in the book
of Luke than any of the other gospels.
4. Has an alertness for factual details which are
overlooked and not discussed by others.
– Has an interest in getting details to support his or her research.
5. Has a tendency to test the knowledge
of those who are teaching him or her.
– Will ask questions to determine
the credentials of those teaching.
Will ask questions such as:
“Where did you get your facts?”
“Are you sure those facts are valid?”
6. Has a greater joy in researching truth than in presenting it.
Note: Is sometimes satisfied in researching to such a degree
that he or she doesn’t care if they present it or not.
Note: He or she may or may not be a good teacher;
others without the gift may be better at teaching.
7. Has a tendency to avoid
the use of illustrations from non-biblical sources.
– Doesn’t necessarily want to hear any tear-jerking personal
experiences from speakers, but instead wants the person
to stick to the truths from God’s Word.
8. Has a tendency to remain silent until all the information
has been heard, observed, and discussed.
– Is not impulsive, but will digest all he or she
has heard before speaking (wants to hear all
information and see how it all ‘fits’ together).
9. Has a tendency to validate new truths by established systems of logic.
– Luke 1:2
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that
have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to
us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of
the word.
Note: Will compare what he or she is hearing
to what they know to be true.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS:
1. Emphasis on accuracy of scriptural information:
– May appear to neglect its practical application.
Note: A pastor with this gift may forget to continue with an
invitation, etc. after he is through presenting the truth.
2. Use of knowledge in relating to others:
– May appear to be pride of learning.
Note: We know that “We all possess knowledge.”
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
(1 Corinthians 8:1).
3. May appear to be critical when he or she
detects factual errors in the teaching of others.
Note: He or she may listen to 39 minutes and 55 seconds of
unquestionable truth, and discredit the entire 40 minutes
because he discovered an error in the last 5 seconds.
4. Concern to share with others the details of their research:
– May appear to be boring and unnecessary to others.
Note: Instead of presenting the main topic, he or she may
spend a long time with the details before ever getting
to the point, (which may bore the listeners).
5. Emphasis on research:
– May appear to have a greater dependence
on the research of others, than on the Holy Spirit.
Note: He or she may mention statistics, etc. without ever
referring to any spiritual feelings, or references, etc.;
Others may say,
“Shouldn’t you pray about this
and let God provide the answers?”,
when in fact, he or she may have already prayed about it,
but failed to mention it due to their obsession with the facts.
6. Emphasis on research:
– May appear as though they do not like the practical
wisdom of uneducated teachers of Sunday School, etc.
7. Need to be objective in research:
– May appear to have a lack warmth and feeling when teaching.
There are some distinct differences in the use and results
of this gift when a person is ‘walking in the Spirit’
versus ‘walking in the flesh’.
1. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Self-control (a requirement for being a good teacher).
1. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Self-indulgence (allows other things to detract from preparation).
2. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Reverence (respect for the Word of God and scriptural knowledge).
2. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Disrespectful (ignores the importance of scriptures for growing faith).
3. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Diligence (not lazy when researching and preparing; may spend
long hours gathering information and condensing for presentation).
3. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Slothfulness (lazy and gathers just enough information to get by).
4. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Thoroughness (strives to leave no questions unanswered).
4. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Incompleteness (doesn’t consider what listeners might be thinking).
5. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Dependability (has a strong desire to be a dependable resource).
5. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Inconsistent (allows emotions and other things to distract him or her).
6. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Security (has confidence in his or her ability to research and prepare).
6. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Anxiety (incompleteness causes a weakness in research
and knowledge, which results in a loss of confidence).
7. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Patience (has a willingness to spend a long time on small details).
7. WALKING IN THE FLESH
Restlessness (struggles with self-control
and consistency with research and preparation).
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
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