Teaching others the Bible

Where do y’all teach the Bible?

How well do you teach the Bible

What is something that you do well at and what is something that you struggle with teaching the Bible?

Introduction

This is what we do

In the ministry we teach others the Bible

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Sometimes it is one on one

But many times that means in a more public setting

To a group or in a service

This is the main thing that we do but many times we do it poorly

Many times we err on one of two extremes

Faithful to the text

Funcional for today

Video minute 10 - end of video

https://mpseminars.com/course/i-beam/section/intro-to-preaching/

I believe that most of you already know of the dangers of not being faithful to the text

We don’t want to be like andy stanley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcXG97tShBM

And sadly there are many preachers that will use a verse but they are pulling it out of context

So we often err on the opposite side

I know it is one of the hardest things for me to do

Me coming to the training center

I wanted to serve Jesus

But I was not very comfortable

It is still something that is difficult for me to do

But I believe that I have learned a lot and am able to teach better now

So over the next couple hours I would like to look at how we can prepare and comunicate the word of God better

There are many different methods of preparing to teach but most of them follow a similar pattern

I would recommend the ibeam method

If you have time you should watch all the videos

We are going to look at the book saying it well by Chuck Swindoll to see how he prepares can comunicates as well

It is not as technical of a book but I think for the couple of hours that we have it will help us

What expository preaching is not

It is not always sequential

What Bible teaching or preaching is not

It is not a running commentary

It is not a lot of word studies

It is not just a grammar study

A history lesson

A launching pad

https://mpseminars.com/course/i-beam/section/intro-to-expository-preaching/

1-15 minutes

What it is

“The expository sermon is an effort to explain, illustrate, and apply the Scripture to life”

In both topical and textual sermons, the Bible passage is used as support material for the topic. In expository sermons, the Bible passage is the topic, and support materials are used to explain and clarify it.

A sermon targets the heart of the listener to create a crisis of the will and then presses the individual for a decision, whether to place one’s trust in Christ for salvation or to make a specific, substantive change to live out that earlier decision. A sermon that doesn’t do that falls short of the mark. Preachers, therefore, must have specific application as their goal throughout every stage of preparation and delivery. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 97). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

Never speak to a group without providing a truth to ponder, a principle to apply, or a decision to make. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 97). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

How to do it

I believe that most of us want to preach the Bible expositorly

We want to teach others the truths of the Bible

We want to teach others all thing that God has taught us

But how do we do it?

The very simple way to explain it is

Study and understand what the Bible is saying in the context

Take that truth and apply it to lives of your listeners today

There are many different ways to do this so I will tell you want I do and what the process roughly should look like for you

We will look at a few examples of messages so you can possible see how to practically do this

Reading

You should start reading the passage as soon as possible

You should practice reading it out loud

You should read what is going before this passage and what is going on afterwards

Daniel 1

Joshua 4

Efe 1:7

Digging

Observe

Initially, my digging seeks to understand the human author’s purpose for writing. I want to know what prompted him to relate the narrative, write the letter, record the prophetic vision, or compose the poem. I’m not thinking about today. I’m not searching for an application. I’m trying to discover the need of the original audience. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 105). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

Find key terms

In Efe 1:7 the key terms are very important

Daniel 1 - purposed

Looking up how that word it used in other parts of the Bible

Background information

On people

On things

On places

Looking at maps

Interpret

After I have observed the passage thoroughly, I begin the work of interpretation. I want to know what the human author intended to communicate at that time and for what purpose. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 106). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

Correlate

Find what the context is around the passage

Context is important

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Find out what cross references say

Luke 5:13 KJV 1900

And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

Mark 1:41 KJV 1900

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Write preliminary thoughts

As I think about my audience and what I hope to accomplish with the sermon, three crucial elements begin to take shape in my mind: potential applications, a title, and an introduction. I make note of them as I go so I won’t lose them, but I remain focused on studying the biblical text. Exegetical exposition calls for serious, lengthy study of the Text. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 107). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

I think at this point you should know at least the general theme of your message

Title

Main thought

Possible Applications

I think one of the main mistakes that I made in the training center was that I would focus too much on the intepretation and details and spend hours on that and then at the very end I would figure out the main point and application

Many times I would write out just what it was saying and study words and read commentaries thinking that these things would change my main point or application

But honestly if you can think rationally and read the Bible in it’s context you will come to the same conclusion as the commentaries and the words of the Bible usually mean what they mean

So I believe that we should start sooner thinking about the main point and possible applications

I will now ushally write out my title and three points knowing what the main point and application is of the passage

Find out what others say

My feelings on commentaries change all the time

Sometimes I believe they are wonderful and then sometimes I won’t use them

So you will have to decide how you want to use them

Just be careful that your messages don’t come from commentaries

Find the eternal truth in the passage

The main point based on the text

That truth that is what the author wanted to communicate

Then we have the difficult task of applying that truth to our lives and the lives of our listeners and calling them to make a decision based on that truth

Find the application

What is the takeaway of this message

What does that man in the audience need to do?

What change does that lady need to make

Building

You now know what you are going to preach and what application you are going to make

But sadly the fact that you know that will not mean that you will be able to communicate that to your audience

Most of us know what we want to say but many times the audience will not understand because we can’t communicate clearly in an engaging way

Body

I want individuals in my audience to see their own struggles reflected in the Text and to identify with the historical individuals in a poignantly personal way. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (pp. 128-129). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

While you are preaching the people in the audience should be able to relate with what is going on in the passage and think that God was thinking about them and their situations

My purpose in the body of the message is not to teach history, but to teach about life and the application of Scripture to living. If, in the process, people learn about geography, history, theology, or Greek grammar, great! But that’s not my overriding purpose for including those details. I try not to exhaust the Text; otherwise, I risk exhausting the audience. Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (pp. 129-130). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

I almost always have three points

Below those points I will have three supporting points

And below those several sub points

I will then put the different thoughts and applications from the passage in one of the points

Example of Efe 1:7 message

Our exposition of the passage should do three things

Remove barriers to understanding

Increase clarity

This is why we must use illustrations

Our preaching should have clear illustrations that help people understand the text or part of the text

If our illustrations don’t do that then we should not use them

Don’t force an illustration and don’t be afraid to use several if they fit and help

I have preached some messages with no illustrations and some with 5-6

Help the audience personally connect with the passage

If we don’t do this then they could get the same benefit from reading a commentary or just reading the passage

We should be thinking about the people that have never heard the Bible before

Here in America we often say trigger phrases or reference other things in the Bible that someone new will have no clue of

Phrases

Blood of Jesus

One day he is coming back!

The trump will sound

Jesus made an atonement for our sins!

Verses

Explain the how verses and chapters work

References

How God pardoned David

How God judged the world in the days of Noah

Exegetical exposition must have a connection with today’s world. Otherwise, you’re building up a storehouse of knowledge without helping the audience see why it’s important or how to put that knowledge to work. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 134). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

Introduction

This is very important

You don’t always have to use a story or example to introduce your message but if you have one that fits it makes your message much more captivating

Story of Steve

"I reached the peak of success in the world. In the eyes of others, my life is a success.

However, apart from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is just a fact of life that I am used to.

At this moment, lying in the sickbed and remembering my whole life, I realize that all recognition and wealth lost meaning in the face of death. "

We can see that this very rich and famous man realized at the end of his life that he had wasted his life. He may have been very successful in making money but had failed in how he used his time and his life.

Today I want to encourage you not to waste your life. The title of my message today is “Don't waste your Life.

If you are only preaching 5 minutes I would make your main point clear in the introduction

Chuck Swindoll says

I go back and craft a strong opening sentence that’s short, if possible—ideally, less than fifteen words—and, most importantly, memorable. Once I have it down, I memorize it. For the brief introductory message that first evening, I’ll begin, “God knows what He’s doing.” I will then quote the late Alan Redpath: “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and crushes him.” Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (pp. 126-127). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

The most important thing is that you grab the audience’s attention

Applying

If people thank me for anything, more often than not, it is for suggesting specific, practical application of the Scriptures. Frankly, that surprises me. And it makes me a little sad. Why would a preacher or a public speaker spend all that time digging, building, praying, and illustrating only to quit before telling his or her audience how to put what they have heard into action? Unfortunately, many pastors offer fine explanations and colorful illustrations of the Scriptures only to stop short of answering the question on everybody’s mind: “So what?” Audiences want to know how to turn theory into practice.

We need to ask the question so what?

There is a timeless truth in each passage of the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Sadly, some preachers consider theological understanding optional. They begin with an application, search for a suitable proof text, and then work backward to spin a plausible interpretation. Clearly, that’s not what we’re after.

For applications to meet real-life needs, good theological method must intersect the preacher’s personal life experience.

A preacher bridges the gap between the world of the Bible and the world of the congregation using his own life experience.

This is why you must apply what you are preaching before you can preach it

You must know your audience

This is so very important

Preaching to teens at Vision is so much different from preaching to a small country church in the mountains

Are a majority saved?

Are there lost people

What culture are they coming from?

You need to put yourself in their shoes

What I did on deputation asking people their names

Where do they work

What do they deal with

What problems do they have in their lives

Do they need encouragement or rebuke?

You are not preaching to impress

You should be preaching to help

What challenges, trials, or difficulties will my audience face, and how can I equip them to succeed? - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 210). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

What would you preach to a group of truckers?

People in jail

Group of young mothers

Nursing home

Young business men

People on the mission field

Write out things on the whiteboard!

People should think that you are talking about them

Not because you are but because its personal

There are two different ways to do application

Application after every point

Or application at the end

Both should be used in different situations

Screenshot

Ending

We often wing this portion of the message

But this is one of the most important parts

I always want to send people home with something to do

We need to plan how we are going to end the message and what we are going to invite the people to do

How are you going to do the invitation

Will the conclution be choppy or a smooth landing?

Prayer

You need God’s help to prepare and preach the message

We often try to do everything in our own power

Many times we try to preach out of a spirit of pride

We want everyone to see that we are a better preacher than the other students

We want others to say that we did a good job

When preparing a sermon, pride has a way of slipping into the room with you. It’ll cozy up beside you, it’ll get inside your head and probe your deepest insecurities, and then set an impossible standard, usually based on the approval or applause of people. - Swindoll, Charles R.. Saying It Well (p. 151). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.

Practice preparing to preach

Ef 1:7

Daniel 1 KJV 1900

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Joshua 4 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day. For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.