(D) Are You Called to Be a Teacher or an Evangelist?

The reason why these two gifts have been combined into one test is because their basic requirements, qualifications, and fruit are the same. But the gift of evangelism brings with it a specialty that further distinguishes it from the basic gift of teaching. Both the evangelist and the teacher have the gift of teaching. But the evangelist has an additional facet or fruit to his gift of abundant outreach with the spoken word, specifically in making new disciples all over the place (Ro 15:20) and in organizing and maturing churches all over the place (eg. helping churches appoint qualified pastors and deacons). Timothy was specifically commanded to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5), which obviously included the work to “set in order what remains” or was lacking in the churches by selecting and appointing qualified elders & deacons (Titus 1:5; 1 Tim 3:1).

ALERT!

The gift of teaching means the ability to teach Christ, Christian teaching/doctrines, not simply an ability to teach. For example, many people teach public school, some people teach home school, etc. But this type of teaching ability or experience in no major way qualifies them for the Christian gift of teaching as you ought to see below. The Christian teaching ability is all about Christian subject matter and mastery of it in mind and in practice and the ability to articulate it verbally through speaking. In addition, just being an example, though an essential requirement for teaching, is not enough because it is through the foolishness of the message preached that God decides to save men (1 Cor 1:21), and even mature men (Eph 4:15). So you cannot just be an example setter, but an example setter and a speaker combined in order to be a teacher for God. But everyone who has or can receive the gift of teaching must start to teach sometime. They have to grow into it. Teaching is quite a learning experience, and may be one of the best ways to grow spiritually. Anyone who wants to be a pastor must also have the gift of teaching. So pastors must clearly demonstrate that they can pass this test on teaching in order to be a pastor of a church. They must also meet all of the other specific requirements for pastor. But a teacher or an evangelist does not have to meet the requirements of a pastor because they are not pastors. Yet all of the clear speaking gifts are ministers of the gospel, including teachers, pastors, and evangelists. Many more members can have or receive the gift of teaching or evangelism than the more stringent gift of pastor. Pastors are shepherds who have to give an account to the Chief Shepherd regarding the church that they are leading (He 13:17). This is the highest accountability and it will be strict. But as the following warning alerts, all teachers will undergo a strict accounting to the Lord for their teaching and conduct. Therefore, all teachers ought to greatly revere the Lord.

WARNING!

All who teach will undergo “a stricter judgment” by the Lord on Judgment Day (James 3:1). Strict means riged and hard vs. softer and eased. And as the context of this warning clearly reveals, “Let not many of you become teachers” because of imperfections among so many members, that is immaturity, especially with members' tongues. If you speak up for God in church, even informally, watch it! You then will undergo a strict judgment.

Three Essential Qualifications of a Christian Teacher

The first three broad eligibility requirements in this test have been taken from Romans 2:17-19. This section of Scripture speaks about “a teacher” (vs. 20) and what he ought to (1) know and (2) be in order to qualify him as a teacher, or else he will bring reproach upon himself. So the main subject of the text is teaching, not the nationality of the one teaching, Jew or Gentile. It applies to all teachers of Christianity because it is New Covenant teaching/doctrine.

1. He Must Know & Approve of the First Teachings about the Christ

“If you... know… and approve the things that are essential” (vs. 18)

2. He Must Be Able to Mature Disciples Beyond the 1^st Teachings

“If you… are a teacher of the immature” (vs. 20)

3. He Must Be a Speck vs. Log Carrying Member of the Christian Church

“If you… teach yourself” (vs. 21-29)

In conclusion and to underscore these three requirements, learn a lesson from Ezra (7:10). First he set his heart to study God’s word. Your heart has to be in it. You have to be committed to it; you have to stick to it. Second he practiced it himself. You cannot just teach. You first must teach yourself, as stated above in Romans 2:21. Third, he then taught it to God’s people.

ALERT!

Below are 4 questions to the teacher test, but they are spread out over several pages because of the addition of discussion/essay questions.

If you can truthfully answer yes to all of the questions below and give legitimate proof to validate each of them, then you have or can receive the gift of teacher.

.... more about this in the Bible Study on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit