Teachers are special people. The Apostle James warns us that not everyone should be a teacher, because teachers have special accountability to God and are condemned if they are not faithful (James 3:1).

The Apostle Paul warned that a person may be proud of knowledge and may despise others (1 Corinthians 8:1). He said that love motivates us to build up others rather than exalt ourselves. People with knowledge should consider it a tool for helping others rather than something that makes them superior. If they are seeking honor through knowledge, they are wrongly motivated and will do harm.

These warnings are important for people who want to teach or serve in any role of ministry, because they should be motivated to study in order to serve with their knowledge.

Bible study requires a special attitude from the student. People may study science or mathematics without seeing any application to their own character. Students may not be changed by the knowledge they gain. Biblical truth is different. Students of the Bible feel their character challenged as they study. They must humbly allow the Holy Spirit to change their character to match the truth they are learning. Biblical truth is transformational.

► What were some important characteristics of a teacher who impacted you? What made the teaching effective?

In addition to the characteristics described in this chapter, a student in the teacher training course should be a participating member of a local church and have a pastor’s recommendation.

An SGC teacher should be spiritually mature, skilled at teaching, and biblically knowledgeable. When looking for qualified teachers, remember to consider character first. Good character is the foundation for developing skills.

Academic requirements: A teacher should be able to read, understand, and explain the course material well. Though an academic degree may equip a teacher with instruction methods and deeper knowledge, the SGC vision is to develop teachers who can transfer the same training to others. For this reason, we do not depend on finding teachers with academic degrees. We depend on God’s faithfulness to give spiritual gifts to potential teachers everywhere. We expect to find and equip the people who are gifted with teaching ability.

The list below includes other characteristics that are also important. A teacher may not excel in every quality but should try to improve in them all. Teachers who lack any one of them will be less effective.

1. Spiritually mature. The teacher should be a good example of spiritual qualities. If teachers’ Christian lives and attitudes are not always consistent, they are not good examples for students.
2. Available. If someone’s schedule is already too full and not well managed, he or she is not available for a regular teaching ministry. Teachers must be willing to make teaching a priority. Some talented people should not be given this ministry because they will let it be hindered by other activities.
3. Reliable. Teachers must be people who fulfill their commitments. They must be punctual and able to follow a schedule. Class members will become frustrated if teachers miss classes or come late.
4. Confident. Teachers must believe that they are able to learn how to lead a group. They may need some supervised practice that will build their confidence.
5. Able to resolve conflict. Teachers need to be able to keep the right attitude when people disagree and cause problems. They need to be able to help resolve conflicts between others.
6. Able to teach. Do people understand the teacher’s explanations? A teacher must be one who does not confuse people.
7. Hungry for God's Word. Teachers must be people who enjoy God’s Word, so they can invite others to enjoy it also. They must make the Bible important in their own relationships with God.
8. Dependent on God. Teachers must realize that spiritual results can happen only by the work of the Holy Spirit. They must be ready to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. They must depend on anointing from God. They must not be confident that their explanations will succeed because of their abilities alone.
9. Ready to serve. Teachers should not be people who want to be served. They should not be looking for a ministry for the purpose of displaying their talents. They must be responsive to needs and ready to volunteer.
10. Under spiritual authority. Teachers should be spiritually accountable to other individuals. They should follow the direction of spiritual leaders.
11. Faithful to the church. Teachers should be committed members of local churches. Their teaching should cause people to appreciate the church and become more committed to it.
12. Zealous to succeed. If teachers have zeal to succeed, they will not quickly give up. They will adapt to circumstances. They will look for information to help them be more effective. They will take initiative when there are problems or opportunities. They will have energy and enthusiasm.
13. Doctrinally accurate. Each teacher should have a good foundation of biblical, evangelical doctrine.
14. Experienced in ministry. Teachers should be people who have been faithful in church ministry for some time.