Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 189

As of the time of recording the new year is almost upon us. Do you have a big hope for your preaching and teaching in the year ahead?

We cannot predict the ways in which God may refine us, teach us and shape us in our preaching and teaching in 2020. But there’s no harm in settling on at least one main hope for the future 12 months. As someone once said, “If you aim as nothing you are sure to hit it”.

Have you noticed that I have not asked for your main goal? I’ve used the word “hopes” because it’s broader and leaves room for God to work. I have nothing against goals, and you will need to be specific and practical in the application of your hopes, but let’s begin with hopes.

How do we clarify our hopes for the year ahead in preaching and teaching? Let me offer three suggested steps that will take us from imagination to application:

  1. Imagine that your preaching and teaching in 2020 is by far the most effective you’ve ever produced. What does it feel like? What responses are you noticing? What is happening? What’s different in 2020 compared to 2019? Write down what comes to mind.
  2. Bring to mind your first lesson in 2020. For me, that’s Friday 3rd January, the start of the “Sermon on the Mount” series. The lesson is on Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. If you’re not sure when your first lesson will be, simply imagine the most likely scenario for that first class or sermon.  Imagine it has gone in accordance with your hopes. What is one thing, just one thing, even one small thing that would tell you the lesson has been effective?
  3. What is one practical step you can take to build into that next lesson a greater likelihood that the small thing will happen?

Rinse and repeat for each lesson as the year goes by!

What I’d like to know today is, “What is your main hope for your preaching and teaching in 2020?”

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