MEMORY SCRIPTURE

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of teaching is a special divine blessing to the Church. Where it is lacking, people lack sound doctrine, and that is very dangerous to the health of the body of Christ.

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

Mon. 10: Gifted Teachers Are Students Somewhere (Lk. 6:40)

Tue. 11: Gifted Teachers Set Examples (Tt. 2:7-8)

Wed. 12: Gifted Teachers Grow (Heb. 6:1-2)

Thur. 13: Gifted Teachers Love Their Students (Lk. 18:16)

Fri. 14: Gifted Teachers Are Learners (Psa. 32:8)

Sat. 15: Gifted Teachers Are Anointed (1 Jn. 2:27)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

The gift of teaching is a must in a church where spiritual growth and maturity are their paramount goals.

INTRODUCTION

TEXTUAL SOURCE: MARK 1:22; 7:1-3; LUKE 2:41FF; 4:42-44; ACTS 18:24; ROMANS 12:6-7; EPHESIANS 4:11; 2 TIMOTHY 2:15

To God alone be all the praise for the blessings received from last week’s lesson: EVANGELISM AND MISSIONARY GRACES. The
lesson is believed to have been an enlightenment on what the gift of Evangelism is, and why there are people called into the Missionary Ministry.

This week’s lesson: THE GIFT OF TEACHING, clarifies what the gift of teaching is, and reveals how Jesus manifested the gift in preparing His disciples for their own future ministry. It also seeks to address the uncurbed proliferation of bloated teachers who abuse their gifts rather than have a continuous learning attitude with the Holy Spirit. As we continue to learn at Jesus’ feet, we pray that God would give us the grace to identify and nurture our gifts, that it may fulfil its purpose for the Church as a whole.

LESSON OUTLINE

1. TEACHING:ASPIRITUALGIFT
2. THE PERFECT EXAMPLEOFJESUS

LESSON EXPOSITION

TEACHING: A SPIRITUAL GIFT (Acts 18:24; Rom. 12:6-7; Eph.4:11; 2 Tim. 2:15)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.

1 Timothy 3:2

A) Rom. 12:6-7: Teaching is one of the gifts differing according to the grace of God, not a wage (reward). It is the grace to logically and systematically communicate biblical truths that are important for Spiritual Power And Gifts For The Body Of Christ
people to understand God and the overall growth of the Church.

B) Those with the spiritual gift of teaching are passionate students of the Word. They teach with authority, relevance and insight, while their hearers are motivated by God’s Spirit to apply what they hear (Lk.24:28-32; 1 Cor. 2:4).

C) Eph. 4:11: The teaching gift is for equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for edifying the body of Christ (v. 11). It plays a major role in the growth of the saints to become like Christ.

D) Acts 18:24: …an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. Apollos had the gift of teaching which he zealously used to God’s glory. Thank God he didn’t hide it. He immensely imparted the Kingdom.

E) 2 Tim. 2:15: … rightly dividing the word of truth. Being gifted is not all about preaching the Word. Diligence is key to harnessing the teaching gift. It brings fruitfulness and fulfilment, both to the teacher and the learners (cf. 1 Tim. 4:16).

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF JESUS (Mk. 1:22; 7:1-3; Lk. 2:41ff; 4:42-44)

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

Acts 1:1

A) Lk. 2:42ff: The gift of God is no respecter of age. Jesus, at age 12, had started manifesting this gift. Even His answer to His parent, they didn’t comprehend (v. 49).

B) v. 46: Jesus, the great Teacher, sat and learnt from Jewish rabbis, listening to them and asking questions. The teaching gift calls for continuous learning for the gifted teacher to remain relevant.

C) 4:42-44: Being the ideal Teacher, He was an intentional Seeker. His teaching style and methods led people to respond to the divine call.

D) Mk. 1:22: The Spirit’s anointing on Jesus manifested in His astonishing teaching ability by which He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes—an exceptional gift of teaching.

E) Jesus’ teachings, including many subjects, like anger (Matt. 5:21-26), money (6:19), prayer (vv. 5-14), God’s kingdom (Lk. 13:18-30), humility (14:7-14), etc., help people to face life’s challenges and find hope. His use of parables/stories drawn from real-life situations helps people experience transformation.

F) 7:1-23: Unlike many teachers today, Jesus’ teachings are people- centred, inspiring us for undeniable growth and transformation.

LESSONS DERIVED

1. 1.Teaching is a gift from God that the gifted must be humble enough to be regularly taught by the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus perfectly manifested the gift of teaching during His earthly ministry. He is the perfect Model for all teachers.

LESSONS DERIVED

1. How did Jesus manifest His teaching gift?
2. Is the teaching gift still relevant in the Church today?