Tag Archives: Corporate Worship

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The Kingdom, Class 3

A lesson for the Thames Valley churches of Christ

“The Kingdom” Class 3

Becoming a kingdom person

Handout: Kingdom Class 3 Handout

“The community or people ruled by God and with whom he dwells, to some extent reality now but to be fully consummated in the future”

  1. What is reality?
  2. Who is well-off or blessed?
  3. Who is a truly good person?
  4. How do you become a truly good person?

Matt 5.1-12

1. How kingdom people live

  1. Brighter, Matt 5.13-16; Matt 7.1-5
  1. Deeper, Matt 5.17-20ff
  1. Sweeter, Matt 5.16; Matt 6:25ff
  1. Higher, Matt 5.17; Psalm 1

2. How kingdom people grow

Conclusion

  • What is the area of greatest temptation towards un-kingdom like behaviour in your life at the moment?
  • Which spiritual discipline could help your training to form Christlike habits in that area?
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.
God bless, Malcolm
PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.
PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
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“Why we should always be flexible with our song choices”

The Sunday Sample Episode 55

Last week in my interview with Mwamba Bennett she mentioned an occasion when they changed a song during their church service.  As it happened, this coming Sunday gave me reason to do the same thing.

TJ was preaching on the opening verses of Isaiah chapter 6:
“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:1–4 NIV11)
While he was speaking, the words of the song, “I see the LORD” came to mind:

I see the Lord
Seated on the throne exalted
And the train of His robe
Fills the temple with glory
And the whole earth is filled
And the whole earth is filled
And the whole earth is filled
With His gloryChorus
Holy holy holy holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy holy holy holy
Holy is the Lord of lord

It seemed right to me that we sing that song after the sermon instead of the one we had prepared.  In the attached recordings I share how we did that and why.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

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

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“Sing a song with God”

Quiet Time Coaching, Episode 58

Do you sing in your times with God?  Is it part of your relationship with him?  In today’s podcast and video I reflect on an experience I had last night and connected with something that happened a little while ago in my local woods.

Thank you for listening and watching to this recording.
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.
Thanks again for listening.
God bless,
Malcolm
PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.
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“How to make nerves your friend”, Part 2

Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 128

Nerves are the secret sauce in public speaking. They can be your friend, not your enemy. In this second of four episodes on the topic we look at how to handle nerves in the pre-speaking phase.

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.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up on www.coach.me.

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

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“The Mwamba Bennett interview”

The Sunday Sample, Episode 54

Welcome to my interview with worship leader Mwamba Bennett. She is part of the worship team in the Birmingham church of Christ. We discuss the strengths of the team, her own personal motivations in worship and much more.

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.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

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

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“How to make nerves your friend”, Part 1

Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 127

Nerves are the secret sauce in public speaking. They can be your friend, not your enemy. In this first of four episodes on the topic we look at how to handle nerves in the preparation phase.

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.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

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

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“A tasty scripture-song sandwich”

The Sunday Sample: Episode 53

The website I refer to in the podcast is Resound Worship.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

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

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“How to re-use, repurpose, or recycle a lesson”

Tuesday Teaching Tips: Episode 126

How to revise a sermon or lesson to be used on another occasion. Is it even legitimate to do this?

Stage One – reflection
  1. Will it meet genuine needs?
  2. Do you still believe it? Still living it?
  3. What would make it better?
Stage Two – rewriting
  1. Check introduction
  2. Relevant illustrations / applications
  3. Check slides

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.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

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

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“How to be lifted up by God”

The Sunday Sample: Episode 52

Would you like to be “lifted” by God as you lead others in worship? There’s a key to such an experience. I was reminded of that key at a recent Sunday service where I was preaching for the North West Region of the London International church of Christ.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV11)

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.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.
PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool“, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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“Three tips for training the next generation of teachers”

Tuesday teaching tips: Episode 125

My friend Katie asked me a question about mentoring the next generation of teachers and preachers. She asked if it was hard for me to let go? In truth, it is. Is it for you too?
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”” (John 3:29–30 NIV11)
Keep an eye on the future by:
  1. Are you willing to work with people for  the long-term? “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11 NIV11)
  2. Are you taking risks? “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5 NIV11)
  3. Do you have a bond? “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17 NIV11)
Who are you mentoring?
Please leave a comment, pass the link on, and subscribe to the podcast.
God bless,
Malcolm