What is the gift of teaching?

Teaching is one of many spiritual gifts that are identified in the New Testament. It is not considered a miraculous gift, and is widely accepted as still operating in the church both by cessationist and continuationist scholars.

Teaching is identified as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12, but it is discussed broadly in the New Testament. For example, the letters to Titus and Timothy put an emphasis on selection of elders that can are able to teach:

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Titus 1:9 ESV

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV

There are some debates on whether the office of teaching applies to women and men equally and to what extent. However, the debate is largely focused around revelation in scripture as opposed to any prejudices towards the other sex.

How to receive the gift of teaching?

Scholars agree that the gift of teaching is still operative today. However, there are no passages that instruct believers on how the Holy Spirit might grant you this gift. One way to try would be through prayer and reading of scripture, participation in smaller ministries and taking opportunities to teach where appropriate for your level of experience.

However, it is more likely the case that being gifted to teach comes naturally to those that the Holy Spirit calls for this ministry. That's not to say those that teach are more gifted than those that do not, but that they were gifted differently and for the sole purpose of building up the church.

This gift should not be taken lightly as teachers will be judged strictly:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

James 3:1 ESV

What is the purpose for the gift of teaching?

The gift of teaching is both used to set sound doctrine for the church, but also to rebuke those that teach blasphemous doctrines or myths. It is the responsibility for teachers to lead believers towards Jesus and to avoid division within the church. We can see these best highlighted in Paul's pastoral epistles:

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Titus 1:9 ESV

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

1 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV