James 3.1-12
The tongue a blessing? Now there’s a thought!
Let few be teachers — what weighty task!
With dangers and trials the work is fraught —
For wisdom and rein of lip you must ask.
Few Teachers
Tag: teaching
Action: Handle
READ: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” 2 Tim 2.15 ESV.
THINK: The right handling of the word spares the disciple from shame and allows him to be approved by God. It also helps him to avoid involvement in useless debates and profane chatter, vv. 14, 16. Right handling is more than reading: it means a careful study in order to arrive at a correct comprehension of the text, that leads to communicating “with precision” (ISV). Continue reading
Action: Teach
READ: “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” Mt 28.20.
THINK: Teaching is a process by which God’s will and Christ’s commandments (contained in Scripture) become known. By the knowledge of these, one becomes capable of teaching, 2 Tim 3.16-17. So the content has already been defined, as well as the objective, that of obeying Christ. In order to learn the right attitude of fear of God, it is necessary to teach, Psa 34.11; Pro 22.19. Continue reading
Action: Sing
READ: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God” Col 3.16.
THINK: The hymn teaches the Good News, besides being praise, Eph 5.18-20. We sing without instruments because we have no authorization for them, which cannot praise God nor teach our brother. Continue reading
The diploma of Jesus Christ
Those who want to know, can know, said Jesus. Continue reading
Preaching and prayer
Preaching and prayer have something in common: Man speaks at God’s command, so that the Sovereign may employ his power on earth in ways that he would not otherwise do.
Explain and give light
Some explanations confuse more than they clarify. But presenting the meaning of God’s words to others causes an almost magical effect. Continue reading
Vicki teaches at big women’s event in São Paulo
The Itaquera congregation in the state capital holds a yearly women’s day. Vicki was one of two featured speakers for the day. Her assigned topic was, “Do you still have hope in your hope?”
Three other women from SJC/Taubaté participated and rode with Vicki there and back. Over a hundred women were present for the event. Thanks to Aline who shot the photos. Continue reading
Power to speak
I pulled out the old New English Bible for some overview reading this morning, and this verse caught my eye.
At that time I will make Israel put out fresh shoots, and give you back the power to speak among them, and they will know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 29.21 NEB Continue reading
10 details of our recent teaching trip
Here are a few details of our trip to teach on the NT church in the ministry training program in August. (Coming up in next report, the work details.)
- Each day began with a devotional led by either the program director or one of the students.
- After our breaks, I’d ask male students to lead us in prayer and song. The presence of God livened our hearts.
- On Thursday I taught the students a song I had translated. Vicki pulled out one I had written and we sang it too. Continue reading