To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.
"[Now the overseer must be] able to teach..."
Leadership quality #7: The leader must be able to teach.
We've talked a lot about false teachers in 1 Timothy so I think we have to tie this verse back to those passages. Besides having the ability to teach (not necessarily in a big setting but at least on-on-one and in small groups), the leader must be able to teach correct doctrine and refute false doctrine.
As Paul says in Titus 1:9 (NIV):
"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
The leader must be able to understand, interpret, and communicate the truth of the Scriptures to others, as well as refute those who mishandle it. Some may be able to do this in a more formal, large-group setting, while others may be more comfortable teaching informally in smaller groups.
Raise your leadership level: First of all, you must be in fellowship with the Father via the Word and prayer every day. This is sometimes called your daily appointment with God or a quiet time. Do not pass Go or collect $200 until you have firmly established this habit!
Secondly, study up and learn the Word. For some, seminary may be a valid option.
Thirdly, find opportunities to teach. Start first with your family and friends one-on-one, then a small group, then see where it takes you. Not every leader is gifted to teach a large congregation on Sunday morning. But every leader should be able to teach, if only informally. Teaching is part art and part science. That is, it is definitely a gift, but there are skills to be learned as well. And the skill set is much easier for teaching smaller groups than for teaching larger groups.
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