There is a lot to unpack in any potential answer to this somewhat loaded question. We know God gives certain people the gift and/or talent of teaching. We won’t get bogged down in the difference between talents and spiritual gifts, because I’m not sure it matters for our discussion on the topic. What does matter is should the gift of teaching be required in order for someone to teach the Bible to children or teens?
Those recruiting for teachers in Bible classes for children and teens would probably say their goal is to find gifted teachers. To some, this means they hope the professional teachers in their congregation will agree to teach on Sundays as well. The problem is that those teaching full time often make their career their ministry. Some will only agree to teach during the summers and others won’t even teach then. Not to mention, the fact that not every professional teacher actually has the gift of teaching. There are many reasons people choose a career in education and being gifted in teaching is not always one of them.
So then the recruitment process involves finding teachers who appear to have the gift of teaching. But, here’s an interesting twist. Sometimes a person who has a passion for teaching and has worked hard to learn the art and science of teaching can be a better teacher than a person who is naturally gifted to teach, but has done nothing to develop their talent.
Don’t believe me? Have you ever listened to an entertaining teacher – Bible or otherwise – and left thinking that it was a great lesson? Then someone asked you what you learned and all you could remember were the jokes and funny stories? Or perhaps you read something later and realized the lesson was full of inaccuracies? Or perhaps the person was obviously comfortable in front of the class and spoke well, but the lesson was so unorganized, it didn’t even make any sense?
Teaching is an art and a science. Someone truly gifted in teaching can often find ways of explaining things that make it easier for others to understand them. Having said that though, there are lots of little things that make a lesson one from which students learn, comprehend and can apply what is taught. That takes development, practice, assessment and adaptation. Constantly learning and growing is what ultimately makes a great teacher.
My point? Whether or not you have the gift of teaching, you can become a good and possibly even a great teacher. If you have the gift and don’t work to develop it, your lessons may not be as effective as someone who has worked hard to become an effective Bible class teacher. Whether or not you are gifted in teaching, almost everyone can be an effective teacher if they are willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to teach well. We have lots of resources to help. Just look under the training resources on our website and read past blog posts. Better yet, read one of our free ministry ebooks. Do what you need to do to be the most effective Bible class teacher you can be. (www.teachonereachone.org)