1 Corinthians 12:28 CEB: “In the church, God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, the ability to help others, leadership skills, different kinds of tongues.”

Acts 18:26 CEB: “[Apollos] began speaking with confidence in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately.”

The spiritual gift of teaching equips you to communicate your understanding of Scripture and faith in ways that are clear, meaningful and transformative for others around you. This gift combines insight and clarity, enabling you to break down complex ideas and present them in ways that invite learning, growth and deeper faith. Teaching is not always formal and often occurs in one-on-one encounters, conversations and everyday relational moments.

At its core, teaching is a relational gift of sharing what you have learned so that it can be of great benefit to an entire community. Teaching is an act of both generosity and interpersonal connection. Those with this gift often feel a strong sense of calling to help others understand not just what Scripture, tradition or theologians say but how these sources speak into their everyday lives with relevance and purpose. Teaching becomes an act of care, helping others to engage their faith with both heart and mind and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Spirit’s work and presence in the world.

Some ways in which the gift of teaching might show up in your spiritual and communal life:

• Leading Bible studies, classes or discussion groups.
• Explaining theological concepts in a way that is accessible and relevant.
• Sharing with friends and family what you got out of a sermon.
• Connecting with an ELCA college or university or a Lutheran Campus Ministry chapter and seeing what extracurricular educational opportunities you can volunteer for.

Looking for more opportunities? We encourage you to reach out to your local synod. Connect, collaborate and co-create with peers through the ELCA Leadership Network.