Yes...They have the responsibility to read the Bible and know what Jehovah and Jesus expect. Most teachings do not need anyone telling you what it means.
Example: LOVE what does it mean? Jesus said to do everything out of love. If your action is unloving then the act is going against this teaching. So if I bring to an elders attention a teaching that I just found out is different then what is being used today and he tells me to keep this to myself or I will be said to be causing a decision...he is liable for his actions and accountable.
Elders are notorious for saying "The WT says this or the Org says that" and base their decisions on that instead of Gods word.
Example: when discussing facial hair, where does the decision come from? How about style of dress? How about who the FDS are? How about disfellowshipping? Take your pick of anything you can think of and the answer will most likely be from a publication or the secret elders book. Some loosely based on the bible.
I had an elder tell me if the gb told him to shave off half of his mustache he would --- so these men blindly follow men! Their actions prove this not what I or anyone says.
When you open the bible and read what it says and they say it doesn't matter...they only rely on what the Wt says this on the subject--- You bet your a** they are accountable!
SW