Community Dispersed
In the initial days and weeks of shutdowns across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches, ministry leaders, and organizations grappled with how to be the church dispersed. Instantly, ministry leaders had to learn not only how to deliver a sermon digitally but wrestled with how to build needed community when God’s people could […]
Ministry For The Long Haul
I was raised in a pastor’s home where my dad served at his last church for 23 years. Before becoming president of the Baptist Foundation of California, I served in the local church for more than 31 years. Let me share five principles that I believe are fundamental for producing exponential results in a long-lasting […]
Curriculum Matters
Most churches use a wide range of volunteers to teach children. A few have a lot of training and experience; most have little or no training or experience. Some have been in the church for a long time; others have been in the church less than a year. Because of this wide range of experience […]
Apologetics: Five Ways to Equip Yourself for Tough Questions
A common fear of Bible teachers and small group leaders is being asked tough questions for which you do not have an answer. No one wants to feel embarrassed, unprepared, or unqualified. Sadly, this common fear keeps some otherwise willing and able Christians from serving as teachers and group leaders. My goal is to help […]
Creative Teaching: Object Lessons
My church during high school used to have these great children’s moments during our worship service. The pastor would call all the children to the front of the church where they would sit on the steps and listen to him do a 5-minute “children’s sermon.” (It was the favorite part of the service for a […]
When I Don’t Feel Like Teaching
You are working from home due to the quarantine. It just seems harder to get anything done. Preparation time for your Bible study has been hard to find, and you are frustrated at the lack of excitement and participation when you get your class together on Zoom. When you don’t feel like teaching, what do […]
Teaching “Deep” Bible Study – Part Three
Deep Bible study causes learners to contemplate the truths of God’s word. But, Bible study that only leads to understanding and does not affect transformation can’t really be called “deep.” Deep Bible study is transformational. It leads people to life change. How do we teach for life change? Here are some suggestions: Depend on the […]
Teaching “Deep” Bible Study – Part Two
Sometimes Bible teachers confuse their own deep Bible study with deep Bible study for their group members. It is true that you cannot lead learners to deep Bible study if you have not dug deeply into the passage yourself. (It’s hard to lead someone to a place you haven’t been to.) But, your deep study […]
Teaching “Deep” Bible Study – Part One
Many Bible teachers want to know how to make their Bible study “deeper.” Too many Bible studies teach familiar passages in the same old ways. The concepts addressed by learners may seem moralistic (“just try to be a good person”) or simplistic (“Jesus will help you with your problem”), and leave people hungry for something […]
Using Bible Study Tools: James 1:5-8
Studying the Bible can be difficult, especially when you encounter passages that don’t seem to square with other teachings from the Bible. Not long ago, I was preparing to teach on James 1:6-7. These verses state that “the one who doubts . . . ought not to expect anything from the Lord” (NASB). Does this […]