3. Teaching in the Local Church

In 1 Timothy 3:2, the apostle Paul tells his co-worker Timothy that the elders of a local church should be “apt to teach.” Nevertheless, not all elders may have the gift and capacity to teach. In the following passage Witness Lee explains what “apt to teach” means, according to 1 Timothy 5:17: all elders of a local church must have a clear understanding of the truth, yet not all have the particular gift and function of a teacher.

The elders also teach in the local church. In 1 Timothy 3:2 Paul says that an elder should be “apt to teach.” The word “apt” implies being able and accustomed to. To teach here is similar to parents teaching their children. An elder must be apt to render this kind of home teaching to the members of a local church. In order to teach the saints in the local churches the elders need to labor in the Word. They need to get into the depths of the truths in the Bible.

If the elders would be apt to teach, they need to be knowledgeable. For example, an elder should be able to explain what the mystery of Christ is. If a brother is not knowledgeable concerning the truth, he is disqualified from the eldership. An elder should be able to teach the saints like a parent helps a child with his homework. However, this does not mean that every elder should be a teacher. It is not necessary for parents to be teachers in order to help their children with homework. Similarly, not all elders are teachers, but they all should be apt to teach.

In 1 Timothy 5:17 Paul says that the elders who take the lead well should be counted worthy of double honor, “especially those who labor in word and teaching.” Whereas all the elders should be apt to teach, not all have a special capacity in teaching. Among the elders in a local church, there may be some who have the burden to teach and to labor in the Word. These teaching ones are especially worthy of double honor because nothing is more exhausting than teaching. In verse 17 “word” denotes the general speaking of doctrines, and “teaching” denotes special instruction concerning particular things. (2162)

1.	Being Overseers in the Local Church
2.	Taking the Lead in the Local Church
3.	Teaching in the Local Church
4.	Shepherding the Local Church
5.	Not Lording It over the Church but Being Patterns of the Flock
6.	Taking Care of the Finances in the Local Church