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“What Happens When You Go With God”, Acts 14.20-28
Introduction, v20

Themes• Numbers converted, word spread • Making disciples everywhere • Opposition / setbacks • “Firsts’ all over the place! • Overall feeling:

Undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God • Resulting in….

1. Bear God’s Fruit• By bringing God’s Word to all kinds of people

A. Converts – variety• Flexibility of approach: Jews / Gentiles / Pagans • Undiminished enthusiasm for winning disciples for Jesus

B. Elders – leadership• Evangelism and strengthening • All churches need both • That’s whey we need to meet up • Leaders are not the most gifted, they are committed to strengthening • Brave to go back to where persecuted • High level of compassion for young Christians / new churches •

Undiminished enthusiasm for the strengthening of disciples

2. Bear With Setbacks• Persevered despite these ….

A. External Setbacks• Opposition; Poisoning; Persecution • Brave to go back to sites of pain • Compassion for young Christians drove them • Undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks

B. Internal Setbacks• Betrayal / Desertion • John Mark • Undiminished enthusiasm despite internal setbacks

Conclusion, 14.26-27• Why did this happen?  God – He is the focus. • We don’t know how they felt day to day, but we do know they found their way back to undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God. • Because motivated within the grace of God; • Conscious of the presence of God; • Confident in the love of God • Because confident of the competency of God • His power/strength • His wisdom • Do you believe God is loving and competent? • When we go with God we see the fruit of God in new disciples and strengthened disciples • When we go with God we see undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks and internal setbacks • When we go with God we live for him with undiminished enthusiasm

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

I used a ‘keynote’ illustration in a recent sermon. It was about my encounter with an epileptic. The reaction I experienced prompted last week’s teaching tip.

Today I’d like to talk about the significance of having a body of ‘keynote’ stories which you have ready at hand for the right occasion.

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What is a ‘keynote’ story?

1. A story with an emotional connection for you
2. A story you can tell without notes
3. A story containing a punchline
4. A story most often containing a laugh and a gasp
5. A parable
6. Not an anecdote. Anecdotes are fine, but they don’t contain a narrative arc. They make a point, but don’t take you on a journey. ‘Keynote’ stories have a shape.

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What does a typical ‘keynote’ story look like? 

It answers three questions and leaves you with an opportunity….

1. Where did you start?
2. Where did the story take you? (Usually through a challenge or bad place.)
3. Where did you end up?

Opportunity: What is the point you can now make that helps your talk?

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Where do you keep your ‘keynote’ stories?

• I keep mine in a folder within Evernote. It’s called “Keynote Illustrations” and contains tags.
• You can keep yours anywhere, but separate them from other illustrations. 
• You may not think you need to do this, but over time we forget we have even these captivating stories. Mine include a story about an epileptic, riding a motorbike in India, my university dissertation, praying in a car, the first time I told a girl I loved her, the death of my brother, and more. 

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How do we best use ‘keynote’ stories?

1. One at a time. They pack emotional punch. More than one in a talk will be overwhelming.
2. Edit them. Each story likely has lots of details – not all are relevant to your particular audience. Leave in the parts that are relevant and remove any fluff.
3. Tell them slowly. You know the story so well, you may rush the telling. Give your audience time to take in the story, and especially any emotionally involving moments.
4. Get the ‘punchline’ right. Practice the high point of the story.

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Why are they important?

1. Authenticity. Keynote stories have great authenticity because they are stories that matter to you. They are often about incidents that had a significant impact on the way you view the world, yourself and God. 
2. Memorable. You remember them, and so will your audience. Hopefully they will continue to attach them to the spiritual point which will provoke them to think and act in a way that reflects the spiritual point you were making in your lesson – long after leaving the event. 

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I have recorded previously on anecdotes and stories. Here are the links:

• “What is the difference between an anecdote and a story?” – video and podcast
• Tuesday Teaching Tips: “Anecdotes vs Stories” – video
• Tuesday Teaching Tips: “Anecdotes vs Stories” – podcast

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Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm 

“BY THE SPIRIT”

Praying in the Spirit – Part 1

John 14:16–17; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 2:22; Romans 8:15–27

1. “We” – we cry 

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

2. “Cry”

• ‘kratzo’ – see all NT references below: Matt 14.30; 9:27; Mk 6:49; John 19:12; Luke 19:40

1. Creation groans – v22
2. We groan  – v23
3. Spirit groans – vv26-27

Question: “What life situations have caused you to “cry” to God in the Spirit?”

• Romans 8:28–29

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

3. “Abba”

• dadda – John 14:23

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba”” help your life of prayer?”

4. “Father”

• Not starting with “Lord” 

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba,Father.”, help your life of prayer?”

Conclusion

What does each of these four points mean for you and your ‘group’?

1. We – communal
2. Cry – real
3. Abba – relationship
4. Father – safe

• How will you adjust the way you pray as a result of what the Spirit has made possible?
• Suggestion: Use Romans 8.15 as a prayer frame for a week – “We cry, “Abba, Father.””
• Do you have questions about the Spirit? Send them to malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

* “Cry” (katzo): Matt. 8:29; 9:27; 14:26, 30; 15:22–23; 20:30–31; 21:9, 15; 27:23, 50; Mark 3:11; 5:5, 7; 9:24, 26; 10:47–48; 11:9; 15:13–14; Luke 4:41; 9:39; 18:39; 19:40; John 1:15; 7:28, 37; 12:44; Acts 7:57, 60; 14:14; 16:17; 19:28, 32, 34; 21:28, 36; 23:6; 24:21; Rom. 8:15; 9:27; Gal. 4:6; James 5:4; Rev. 6:10; 7:2, 10; 10:3; 12:2; 14:15; 18:2, 18–19; 19:17

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

Of barking dogs and pneumatic drills – disturbing the comfortable and comforting the disturbed.

Information about this week’s posts, experiences and personal reflections on what God has been bringing to my attention.

God bless, Malcolm