If you are a teacher, teach well. (Roman 12:7)
εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ
if {the one} teaching in the teaching
The same can be said of this verse as we have said of the others. The sense is – ïf teaching be devoted to teaching, do it to the best of your ability. And also if your gift is teaching, then teach (and don’t be looking over the fence to other gifts). Stay with the gift you have been given and do the best you can.
The teaching gift is an important gift. It is included in all lists. It is noteworthy. In all cultures the teacher is honoured. Teaching is one of my natural gifts. Not necessary the “spiritual gift” the Lord has given me but one that comes naturally to me. The Lord has created me to function in the teaching gift. I do it naturally. In the Christian church we often look to the teacher to lead us, teach us, impart wisdom. But greater wisdom is to learn to dig for yourself. To learn to teach yourself. That is the true key to future success: how to learn to study for yourself and find the way to gain access to knowledge. To teach ourselves, that is the key to future success. You have heard the saying “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” It is so true in many areas of life. Teach a man or a woman to learn for themselves and set them up for a lifetime.
This gift occurs in all five of the New Testament lists of gifts in one form or another. It is the prime gift of those called to be leaders or pastors. One must inspire and teach others in order to lead them. It is not just the leaders or the pastors who ought to teach. Most Christians ought to teach others. Remember what Paul said to Timothy in his personal epistle to him. “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others”. 2Timothy 2:2. It is not just the pastor or the teacher who should teach. It is all Christians really. Teaching must happen on all levels of relationship and discipleship. Therefore all of us must be exercising this gift in many different forms and on many different levels,
You can be teaching others what you know. So go do it.
Anon
Experience is not the best teacher – evaluated experience is the best teacher!
Anon
No matter how smart we are, our understanding will never catch up with our experience.
Anon
The truth is that experience is costly but not learning from experience is more costly.
Anon