Tuesday Teaching Tips: "How to choose a commentary"
How do we decide which commentary to use for lesson preparation? There are so many out there! And - how do we rank the ones we already have? A new resource has come to my attention - www.bestcommentaries.com. We take a look at it to see how it might help us make these important decisions. Bible,Teaching,Presentations,Preaching,Commentaries
7m Sep 27, 2016
7m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout": Endure!
Jesus said, in John 4.31–34, "My food is to do the will of him who sent to me and to finish his work." He finished that work, John 19.30. Jesus work ended – so it seemed – in failure, but we know different - 1 Corinthians 15.58. A prayer: Lord, make my life of service worth something; make it sure. May it be that, at the end of time, this collection of dust, this temporary mortal frail feeble...
4m Sep 26, 2016
4m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout": "A warning: beware celebrity!"
John 5.41 – Jesus did not accept glory from human beings. We have chosen a work the world despises, or at best considers marginal and odd. We are unlikely to get affirmation from the world, therefore it is all the more tempting to seek it from the congregation, or other church leaders. Psalm 146v3 – do not put your trust in princes. Suggestion: pray that Jesus will grow greater and we will grow...
4m Sep 22, 2016
4m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "A Note About Quotes" - AUDIO
A pithy pertinent quote can give a point extra impact. But badly used, it can confuse or bore. What's the best way to include a quote in a presentation? We look at some tips in this week's episode.
7m Sep 22, 2016
7m
"Zeal Without Burnout": "We need inward renewal" - AUDIO
Just as we need food and water to keep our bodies physically alive, so we need the inward renewal of the holy spirit in our hearts and lives. Romans 8.10–11. We have the spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. 2 Corinthians 4.16 - inward renewal day by day is ours. Our physical nature, our mental life, our emotional, intellectual and affectional facets of life are inseparable from the "spiritual...
5m Sep 19, 2016
5m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout": "We need friends"
God has so created us that we are social beings and need one another for healthy life on earth. See Gen 2.18 & 1 Sam 23.16 - David and Jonathan. If we neglect friendship, we are implicitly claiming an affinity with God that immortals cannot claim.
4m Sep 16, 2016
4m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout": "We need Sabbaths"
We need breaks from the normal routine - what might be called a 'Sabbath'. “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17 NIV11). God does not need a Sabbath, but we do! People are messy, love is messy, our diaries should be messy. A crisis is a crisis and must be attended to. But not everything that appears to be urgent is truly a crisis.
5m Sep 12, 2016
5m
Zeal Without Burnout: "We need sleep"
We need sleep and are designed for sleep. God is different. Psa. 121:3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; Psa. 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. If we neglect [sleep], we are implicitly claiming an affinity with God that mortals should never claim. Psa. 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for foo...
7m Sep 02, 2016
7m
"Kingdom Kwestion, Luke 13.18-21"
What is the kingdom? Jesus taught about it all the time. It mattered to him. What do you think it is? “Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like ye...
2m Sep 01, 2016
2m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Tips for the Tipster"
This week I'm looking for tips to help me be a better tipster. What would you like tips about? Send me your suggestions - mccx@mac.com - and I'll see what I can do.
1m Aug 30, 2016
1m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout": "We are Dust!"
Are we sufficiently humble about the fact that we are dust? What does God demand of this dust? Gen. 2:7 “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”We are frail and fragile, and do well never to forget it. God knows this, and will not expect more from us then we can give.Psa. 103:14 “for he kno...
4m Aug 26, 2016
4m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "How to Trim a Lesson"
How do we cut our lessons down when they are too long? We look at some tips for keeping the substance, but losing the flab. Bible, Teaching, Presentations, Preaching, Lessons length, http://wittcom.com/five-ways-t, http://westsidetoastmasters.co,trimming
7m Aug 23, 2016
7m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "How to use Statistics"
Numbers matter. And so does using them accurately. Stats can be a preacher's best friend, but misuse them at your peril! How can we use them with credibility but without paranoia? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lhl0n Bible,Teaching,Presentations,Preaching,Numbers,Statistics,More or Less,www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lh
6m Aug 18, 2016
6m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout" - "sacrifice is not the same as burnout"
How do we keep our spiritual flame burning bright, without burning out? We look at a new book, "Zeal without Burnout". Luke 9.23-24 tells us to be wary of trying to save ourselves. But does this mean burnout is our aim? We take a look at what Christopher Ash calls, "sustainable sacrifice". Faith,Zeal,Sacrifice,Commitment,Luke 9.23-24,Romans 12.1
5m Aug 12, 2016
5m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Preaching to Jewish People"
What is the difference between being politically correct in order to not offend people, as opposed to being sensitive in the way that we present the gospel? We look in this video at the specific issue of preaching in the presence of people from a Jewish background. http://cwi.org.uk/library/articles/HAGFP.htm
6m Aug 09, 2016
6m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout" - "never be lacking in zeal"
How do we keep our spiritual flame burning bright, without burning out? We look at a new book, "Zeal without Burnout". "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord." Rom 12.11.
4m Aug 08, 2016
4m
What we're reading: "Zeal Without Burnout" - "never be lacking in zeal" How do we keep our spiritual flame burning bright, without burning out? We look at a new book, "Zeal without Burnout".
How do we keep our spiritual flame burning bright, without burning out? We look at a new book, "Zeal without Burnout". "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord." Rom 12.11.
4m Aug 08, 2016
4m
What we're reading: The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Testimony Time
What is the point of a testimony? How can we avoid common pitfalls? We look at Peter's advice for powerful testimonies.
7m Aug 05, 2016
7m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Anecdotes vs Stories"
What is the difference between an anecdote and a story, and why does it matter in public speaking? We look at the differences and think about how best to apply each one.
4m Aug 02, 2016
4m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: 5 Steps to Heaven"
What should we begin with when talking to people who don't believe the gospel? How should we start the conversation? We look at a possible five-step template that might help us to begin spiritual conversations.
5m Jul 29, 2016
5m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Fear and Love"
What do we do with our fears when we get up to speak? What will help us to speak with courage and clarity? We look at the book "360° preaching", and the example of Paul with the Corinthians. It seems that love is the answer, as in so many things!
5m Jul 26, 2016
5m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Basic Apologetics"
What is the correct place for apologetics in our evangelism? And how do we deal with basic apologetics questions in our lessons? The the answer to these questions could have a profound effect on how many people become Christians, and especially, for some reason, men.
6m Jul 22, 2016
6m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Preacher Perfectionism"
What do we do when we get stuck trying to finish a talk? Could perfectionism be our enemy?
6m Jul 20, 2016
6m
Watford Update Lk11.14-28
What does it mean for us today that Jesus cast out demons?
2m Jul 18, 2016
2m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Avoiding Two 'Bs'"
How can we persuasively present the gospel in a post-modern environment? Perhaps we should avoid two 'Bs'.
4m Jul 16, 2016
4m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Nervous? Good!"
What do we do with our nerves just before we get up to speak? Are they helpful or harmful?
4m Jul 12, 2016
4m
Luke 11.1-13 - what is prayer all about?
Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer. We will see what we can learn about it this coming Sunday. What do you think the main lessons are from this great passage?
3m Jul 11, 2016
3m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Natural Theology"
There are two books God has given us - the Word and the World. We might know how to use the former in evangelism, but do we know how to use the latter?
5m Jul 07, 2016
5m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: Self-Disclosure - Want to Tell, or, Need to Know?
How much self-disclosure do we give at the beginning of a lesson? What do we do if we're feeling nervous or inadequate?
5m Jul 06, 2016
5m
Only One Thing, Luke 10.38-42
What is the one thing that is needed? Martha learns an important lesson when Jesus comes to her home.
2m Jul 04, 2016
2m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "Concentration Span"
In her book, "Creating a learning church", Margaret Cooling has some helpful things to say about concentration span. We have a think about what this means for preachers, and teachers of the Word of God.
7m Jun 21, 2016
7m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Context"
Paul's approach in Athens was significantly different to elsewhere. Why did he take this approach, and was it wise?
6m Jun 20, 2016
6m
Tuesday Teaching Tips: "U.S.E.D."
In her book, "Creating a Learning Church", Margaret Cooling tell us to Unpack, Select, Engage, Deliver as a way of preparing to teach a text. We look at this U.S.E.D. technique.
5m Jun 15, 2016
5m
Defining the kingdom of God
Shaun Lambert brings us an interesting definition of the kingdom of God from his book "Putting on the wakeful one". Let me know if you think it is accurate.
1m Jun 10, 2016
1m
What we're reading: "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Jargon"
Are the words we use to explain the Gospel helpful or harmful? Are we boring our audience by using words that have no meaning to them? What's the problem with religious jargon? We look into the significance of words and search for alternatives to well-worn cliches. Sermons,preaching,teaching,Peter May,The search for God and the pat,gospel,evangelism,jargon
4m Jun 09, 2016
4m
Tuesday Teaching Tips 3 Tests of Balanced Preaching
We take a look at 3 tests of balanced preaching as suggested by Brian G. Hedges. How can we stay true to the text, the gospel and life?
3m Jun 07, 2016
3m
What we're reading, The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion - Rhetoric
Paul was persuasive because he was a good rhetorician. But is rhetoric a good thing?
4m Jun 02, 2016
4m
Our section of Luke for Sunday 5th June - the transfiguration
This Sunday the Watford church of Christ will be looking at Luke 9.28 to 36. Our preacher will be Barry Edwards. Please pray for him as he prepares to speak to us from this passage.
2m Jun 02, 2016
2m
Tim Dannatt: visiting speaker for the Watford church of Christ 29 May 2016
Tim Dannatt will be speaking on Acts 12 for us in Watford this coming Sunday 29 May. Please make him welcome.
1m May 26, 2016
1m
What We're Reading, "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Dialogue"
Paul "reasoned" with people. What does that mean? We take a look at the word "dialogue" and the significance of making reasoning a two-way process.
4m May 26, 2016
4m
Feeding 5,000 - Luke 9.10-17
How did he do it? And what were the disciples meant to make of it? Loaves, fish and faith on display this Sunday at the Watford church of Christ, 10.30am, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford
2m May 20, 2016
2m
What we're reading, "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Probing Questions"
Jesus asked probing questions. When should we use questions like that? Do we know what people know and understand and how they feel?
3m May 05, 2016
3m
What we're reading, "The Search for God & the Path to Persuasion: Questions & Sermons"
Jesus asked lots of questions when he spoke to people. Is there a place for using more questions and having more dialogue in our sermons? Sermons,preaching,teaching,Jesus,questions,Peter May,The search for God,gospel,evangelism
4m Apr 26, 2016
4m
The Pharisee the Town Harlot & Jesus", Luke 7:36-50
#Pharisee #Jesus #GospelOfLuke #Forgiveness #Gratitude
3m Apr 19, 2016
3m
"The parable of the brats", Luke 7.31-35
What does Jesus mean when he says, "wisdom is proved right by all her children."? This Sunday in the Watford Church of Christ we will be looking at the parable of the brats. Hope you can make it, 10:30 AM Laurence Haines school, Vicarage Road, Watford.
1m Apr 15, 2016
1m
Easter is coming
We'll be celebrating not an improvement, but a transformation!
1m Mar 25, 2016
1m
2 Corinthians takeaway
As we conclude our series on 2 Corinthians, what's your big takeaway from this amazing book?
1m Feb 26, 2016
1m
"Grace is sufficient", 2 Cor 11 & 12
What did Paul mean when he talked about fools for Christ and the fact that God's grace was sufficient to him?
1m Feb 23, 2016
1m
Contradicting or Complementary? 1 Tim 3.7 vs Luke 6.26
These two passages look as if they contradict one another. Have a look, have a listen and let me know what you think.
3m Feb 22, 2016
3m
Luke 6 verses 27 to 36
What does it mean to love your enemies and to do good to those who hate you?
2m Feb 22, 2016
2m