Apostle. Prophet. Evangelist. Shepherd. And Teacher. God has given these amazing gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:1-13). Far too often we try to sum up leadership in the Church under the catchall title “pastor”, but what if God has a bigger picture for the equipping of the Church? What could local expressions of the Body of Christ look like organized around the gifts God has given us?

This week we are focusing in on Teachers.

Teachers are the light givers of the community. The expositors of wisdom. The ones that interpret and inform as they help give shape to reality.

Teachers: Interpret and Inform. Teachers are good at interpreting the text and informing others. They are great at gathering knowledge and passing on wisdom. We could call teachers “light givers” because they shed light on Scripture and help people understand it in a life-giving way. They help us inhabit the sacred text, immerse people in God’s story and teach people how to dwell faithfully in God’s story. Teachers cultivate learning environments so that the whole body is growing in knowledge, wisdom and maturity. So which do you most identify with? Which do you identify with second-most? If you want to live out God’s mission in the world, it is important to grasp and practice your vocational intelligence. In addition, as you grow in understanding the fivefold typology, you can help others live into their calling. 

Immaturity for the Teacher: 

Teachers at early stages of development can be so exacting and obsessed with accuracy that they project right and wrong so forcefully, it gives no space for others to journey and discover. With the ability to collect vast amounts of information and systematize it, they can be dogmatic in areas with little practical experience, thus knowledge can be valued over wisdom. The teacher can value their relationship with information over their relationship with people, and lack emotional maturity. They tend to become internally arrogant because of what they think they know stunts their ability to listen and learn from others’ experiences. They may have a hard time with friendships with people that don’t see things the way they see them. Teachers connect with information and books and then tend to believe right thinking fixes people, rather than being present with people in their mess. They are often intellectuals and place disproportionate emphasis on preaching, believing people are transformed by hearing good doctrine. Teachers may have a hard time simplifying content for ordinary people to comprehend because they live in their own head. They may unintentionally forget to model grounded practices because they put so much energy into preparing and delivery information. 

Formational Learning:

(Head)

• What benefits and drawbacks could come from activating Teachers within FōS?

(Heart)

• Do you see yourself in the gift of the Teacher? If yes in what ways and what about the gift resonated with you? If no do you know someone who fits the description either mature or immature?

(Hands)

• What practices could allow us to equip, empower, and facilitate Teachers in our community?