Your Daily Slice

Av 20

Teaching Ability

“An overseer, then, should be … able to teach.” (1Tim 3:2 ISR)

All of us have our favorite teachers, those that we believe are teaching Elohim’s Word accurately, besides being those that we are able to understand and receive from.  However, having the ability and aptitude to teach others is a skill set that does not come easily.  Many are born with this teaching talent, and others attend post graduate schools to learn the ‘how’ of teaching.  Still, it makes no difference if all of the talent and the ability are there, yet there is no desire to teach and instruct others.

First and foremost, a teacher must know and understand what he/she is teaching.  It is pointless to attempt to learn anything from someone who doesn’t have the foggiest idea of the subject matter that is being brought forth.  This would be a splendid example of the ‘blind leading the blind’ (Mat 15:14), and both learning nothing of value. 

A teacher should also have a willingness and excitement in the sharing and instruction of a subject that is dear and precious to their heart.  The very best Torah teachers that I am acquainted with are visibly in love with their Creator, and His Word, and their style of teaching reflects this.  These people are eager for others to learn all about what it is that excites them so – this then, should be the qualification that a potential leader strives to emulate.

Most all of us have sat under teaching that is dry, monotonous, and boring.  Personally, I have listened to professors in a secular college setting that put me to sleep, and I retained little of what they attempted to teach me.  The same is true of several congregational environments that my husband and I have been a part of:  the leader lacked the necessary teaching skills to hold the interest of his listeners.  And while I have wondered if this lack was indicative of their relationship with Elohim, I also recognize that teaching skills can be learned, cultivated, and refined, if the desire is there.

May we all be so excited about the greatness, the goodness, the majesty of the One we serve that our desire to ‘share’ with others will be overflowing … these are the first tiny steps of the teacher.

“And daily in the Set-apart Place, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and bringing the Good News: יהושע the Messiah!” (Acts 5:42 ISR)

“Now having different gifts, according to the favour which was given to us, let us use them accordingly: … he who is teaching, in the teaching.” (Rom 12:6-7 ISR)

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