Teaching is one of the spiritual gifts listed in the Scriptures (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:28-29, Romans 12:6-8).
Many teachers have been mentioned in the Bible. This is not a comprehensive list.
This list is a good place to start in studying the roles, responsibilities, qualities and qualifications of biblical teachers.
Download a free printable with Scripture references at the end of the post.
Great teachers in the Bible
God – taught Moses, David, the Israelites, sinners, the humble.
Jesus – taught the disciples, crowds, jews in the Synagogues, and women.
Moses – taught the Israelites.
Paul – taught churches in Antioch, the Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Colossae, Gentiles, Jews, members in all the early churches, Timothy, women
Teachers in the Old Testament
Jethro – taught Moses leadership skills
Aaron and his sons – taught the Israelites
The Tribe of Levi – taught the Israelites
Officials and Priests – taught the Israelites
Samuel – taught the Israelites and student prophets
Ezra – taught the returned exiled Israelites
Parents (both mother and father) and grandparents – commanded to teach Israelite children and grandchildren
Fathers – should teach their sons
Eli – taught and trained Samuel
Elijah – taught Elisha
Elisha – taught student prophets
Teachers in the New Testament
The Holy Spirit – taught the disciples and all believers
John the Baptist – taught his disciples and crowds of people
Nicodemus – taught the Israelites
Teachers of the law – taught the Israelites
The disciples turned apostles – taught all nations of people
Timothy – taught the churches in Ephesus and to a lesser extent churches in Corinth and Philippi
Titus – taught the churches in Crete
Peter – taught Jewish exiles and converts to Christianity scattered across several cities and nations and countries including Lybia, Egypt, Arabia, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia etc
Barnabas – taught the churches in Antioch and Salamis and other places
Gamaliel – taught the Jews and Paul
Aquilla – taught Apollos and churches in Ephesus
Apollos – taught churches in Ephesus and Corinth
Epaphras – taught the Colossian churches
Fathers – should teach their children
Overseers in the church – should be able to teach church members
Elders in the church – taught members of the early church
Seasoned believers in the church – should be teaching those less mature in the faith
Believers / Church members – should teach and admonish each other
Female teachers in the Bible
Women teachers in the Bible is not a popular topic of study.
Interpretations of Titus have caused many different opinions about whether or not women are to be teachers and who they should be allowed to teach.
I acknowledge this debate but I will not contribute to it here.
Instead I will list the few women teachers who have been mentioned in Scripture:-
Priscilla – taught Apollos and churches in Ephesus
Older women in the church – should teach younger women
Responsibility of teachers in the Bible
What does the Bible say about the role of teachers?
Several places in Scripture address what teachers of the Word should be doing.
Here are 11 roles and responsibilities of teachers. Download the free printable with the Scripture references.
Teachers, especially Bible teachers, should:
Teach about Jesus and obedience to Him
Teach sound doctrine
Reteach truths, remind of what was learned, and help others to understand the Scriptures
Read Scripture publicly
Equip church members for ministry and good works and build the body of Christ towards maturity
Protect, guard, and steward the gospel
Impart spiritual wisdom
Set an example and practice what they teach
Be imitators of Christ and encourage others to do the same
To train and disciple others and replicate themselves
Warn against false teachers and teachings
Prepare other teachers
DOWNLOAD LIST OF TEACHERS IN THE BIBLE WITH SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Final words
I hope this list is helpful for you to study the Bible’s well-known and not-so-known teachers.
Although these are primarily teachers of Scripture, we can see from the list of roles that anyone who gets the privilege to teach has a heavy responsibility.
We teachers are called not just to use our lips and Scripture but our lives as a teaching tool.
This is why I take to heart the guidance of James who talks about the judgement of teachers:
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1 NIV)
May God help us who have been called to teach to be faithful in living what we teach.
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