| THE GIFT OF TEACHING Definition: the desire and ability to discover and share truth. Character who illustrates this gift: Luke. Scriptural guidelines for teachers: Rom. 12:11; Col. 3:16; Matt. 28:19-20. Characteristics: 1. Believe that their gift is basic. 2. Put a heavy emphasis on accuracy. (See Luke 1:1-4) 3. Expect exactness out of others. 4. Love to research facts. (See Acts 1:1) 5. Demand contextual truth. 6. Love structure, organization, and systems. 7. Enjoy doing word studies for Bible lessons. 8. Prefer Bible illustrations over life illustrations. 9. Uneasy with subjective truth. 10. Easily develops and uses a large vocabulary. 11. Checks out the source of knowledge of those who teach. 12. Prefers teaching believers rather than engaging in evangelism. 13. Solves problems by starting with Scriptural principles. 14. Is intellectually smart. 15. Is self-disciplined. 16. Is emotionally self-controlled. 17. Has a select circle of friends. 18. Has strong convictions and opinions based on investigation of the facts. 19. Believes that truth has the intrinsic power to change. 20. Cannot omit the details. Typical problem areas of the gift of teaching: 1. Tends to neglect the practical application of truth. 2. Is slow to accept the viewpoints of others. 3. Tends to develop pride in his own intellectual ability. 4. Tends to be legalistic and dogmatic. 5. Is easily sidetracked onto new interests. 6. Truth may seem more important than the pupil. 7 May rely more on head knowledge than on the Spirit of God. 8. May often bore listeners with too many details or trying to put the lesson in the bigger context. 9. May flaunt knowledge due to a need to find someone to enlighten or impress. 10. May argue over minor points. Prophecy Service Teaching Exhortation Giving Administration Mercy |