Introduction

  • Last week I posted on lesson length. A YouTube correspondent asked: “What I find difficult is that there a few people in our church averse to teaching – I’m not speaking of boring facts and dates just lessons that have a bit more background or context than most. And they happen to be in the upper leadership and therefore have an influence on who gets to do the lessons and how often. So, where as a super majority of the church enjoy and find meaning in the lesson, these folks do not. What to do here?”
  • I asked him for more information and he said: I did a lesson called “The Heart to Learn” (audio available) where I communicated that all disciples need to be learning, but that there is a spectrum of those who are heart-driven to those who are mind-driven. Ala 1Cor 12 the body needs its parts and those who may not enjoy teaching as much need to be loving towards those who require it and who would otherwise starve. I guess the lesson didn’t work because, while it was well received, no lasting changes occurred.
  1. Dialogue with local leadership
  • Where possible
  • Point to ministries and people who have benefitted

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.” (Acts 13:1 NIV11)

  1. Could we get….in to teach on this topic?
  • Someone respected
  • Someone with a specialism (Andy B; Rob Payne…)
  • A specialism that is relevant to a clear need in the congregation

“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)

  1. Build your own skills
  • Study – personal & classroom
  • Find a mentor (DJ)
  • Join or create a tribe (Apollos)
  • Become captivating
  • Solicit feedback

“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46 NIV11)

““I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.” (Acts 22:3 NIV11)

  1. Find a channel
  • Be useful, effective locally
    • e.g. Campus – apologetics for the modern generation
  • Post online

Conclusion

  • Be in it for the long haul – change takes time as does maturity

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 NIV11)

Questions: What have you found helpful in building a healthy teaching culture in your congregation?

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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.

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Keep calm and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm