Qualifications to Teach the Bible
Doesn’t it seem like everyone and their mom wants to be a Bible teacher? I’m not knocking it because honestly, my heart is that the Word would go out more than ever. And that takes people willing to talk about it. But it also doesn’t mean everyone is a Bible teacher.
When I started out in ministry almost 20 years ago, there was no social media. You started faithfully serving from the bottom up at. Pretty pictures, cute graphics, and catchy phrases didn’t qualify you to teach—pastoring and shepherding people did. And it was affirmed in you within the local church that teaching was your gift.
This post is likely to ruffle some feathers but I haven’t been able to shake it. Having been in ministry for this long, I feel like a big sister/pastor sharing some insight with you. My prayer is that you know as I share truth, I do it in grace. So, if you are following anyone here that goes by Bible teacher/speaker, desires to do so, or brings them in, this series explains what the Bible says about teachers.
What Defines a Bible Teacher?
Someone with the ability to explain God's word with clarity and knowledge.
This requires the gift of teaching but also the ability to teach Scripture to others in a way they can understand and learn essential truths in the Bible.
Something to note is that teaching is often associated with a pastor. So the question you must ask is, Is this teacher (or am I) pastoring people? Are you and have you been engaged with hands-on ministry in your community?
A Gift of the Holy Spirit
Teaching is a gift of the Holy Spirit listed in Romans 12:6–8 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. To simply the insane amount of information I could share on these passages, here is what we know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching is given to edify the body, not self (1 Cor. 12:7. So, what this tells us is that you’re not speaking for recognition, or because it looks fun or cool. It’s not about you, but about a gift God has put inside of you to serve the Church.
God chooses the gift, not you (1 Cor. 12:28-31,). A person doesn’t speak because they have declared that gift inside of them as a result of simply wanting to do it. Perhaps the best way to know if this gift has been given to you is this—has it been affirmed in you by more than one person within the church. If not, then tread carefully.
What Else Does the Bible Say?
Beyond what we see about teaching in regards to a gift of the Holy Spirit, we can find other principles related to teaching.
It's cultivated through spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 3:6 we find an important qualification to be an overseer, but as teachers are often closely related to pastors and overseers, I find it quite applicable to teaching. Paul says one must not be a recent convert, meaning, a person should be spiritually mature. In addition, it’s important to, as a teacher, be exhibiting the fruits of the Holy Spirit outlined in Galatians 5.
A teacher must have proven to be reliable and experienced (2 Timothy 2:2). This ties closely with the previous point but is worth acknowledging. Paul says to entrust what has been heard (teaching) to faithful men and women who can teach others also.
A teacher must him or herself be under a sound teacher (Luke 6:40). Someone should not be teaching if they themselves do not sit under sound teaching. And I would take it a step further, practically as I’ve seen play out in ministry, to also have a mentor. Having both exhibits a pattern of surrendering to authority, accountability, and correction.
We are told not many should be teachers and those that do teach are judged with greater strictness (James 3:1-2). Which makes it hard to believe that you can scroll through Instagram and find hundreds if not thousands of people claiming to be a Bible teacher.
A teacher must be above reproach, meaning, people shouldn't be able to identify, by looking at your life, cause for sin or concern (Titus 2:7-8). This goes back to the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Does their life, or yours, show good fruit? Wanting to be a Bible teacher but wearing crop tops, or getting drunk, or so many other acts do not show a life above reproach.
What Does and Doesn’t Qualify
Things That Don’t:
You got really good at taking lovely photos and designing cute graphics for Instagram and now you're an influencer.
You were on a reality show.
Someone in your family is famous (e.g. your dad or husband has a significant platform).
You wrote a self-help book or catchy Insta post that blew up.
You’re funny and entertaining.
Things That Do:
You have served in ministry in your church, showing a pattern of reliability and "Pastoring" people.
You have submitted to the authority, training, and correction of a mentor, and come under sound teaching.
You're in the word and in prayer daily.
The gift has been affirmed by others.
You've been faithful with the small things and live above reproach.
Holding the Qualifications Up to a Person
Now, if you hold these filters up to a lot of the people, they likely won’t hold up. Why? Because being famous, taking or making pretty squares, and mastering the algorithm doesn’t qualify you as a teacher. And it’s important people understand this because if they don’t, false teaching will only continue to grow in the Church. You might not claim yourself or someone you’re following is, but it’s the Church that will feel it and the genuine teachers who should be responsible for it.
People want to speak because they think it looks glamorous. You get to travel, meet people, and when you’re not doing either of those, working from home. But let me tell you, ministry is not glamorous. Sitting beside someone on their hospitable bed as they suffer is not glamorous. Walking through a sin issue and leading them through repentance is not glamorous. Pouring over Scripture, doing studies, writing outlines, and processing messages for hours upon hours is not glamorous. And until you’ve been through that, you should not teach.
It’s that hard and holy work that must come before the platform.