2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…1 Timothy 3:2

I can’t recall Jesus arguing to get his point across like I might tend to do. With the exception of his “whitewashed tombs” (Matt. 23:27) diatribe against the Pharisees, Jesus taught with “gentleness, correcting those who were in opposition” (2 Timothy 2:25).

Certainly he was “apt to teach,” and he knew all the answers (even at age 12).  In fact, his sayings were so hard one could only speculate or guess if bold enough to comment. Certainly most everything he heard in response was off to some degree, compared to his perfect knowledge. Poor disciples!

To be qualified to lead the church, you must be able and capable of communicating God’s truth. It’s a fundamental skill that is learned with time and practice.

Some though have been specially gifted as teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28), and need only to acquire knowledge through study, which they are normally voraciously prone to do. By definition, teachers dive in, losing all concept of time, to figure out what the word of God says, and they can condense what they find and communicate it so others can understand and respond.

Whether especially gifted or skilled by years of application, a potential leader in the church must be found…

 ⁹holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:9