PREACHING & TEACHING THE BIBLE
I read a story about a man that gave his pet dog medicine. Every morning he would hold the dog tightly, pry open his mouth and try to force the medicine down his throat. The dog would kick, shake and try to get away. It was extremely difficult for the owner to make the dog to swallow the medicine. Then one day, before he could hold the dog down, the man spilled the medicine on the floor. Immediately the dog ran over and licked up every drop of it. The man realized the dog liked the medicine! The dog didn’t like the way he gave it to him!
As Christians we are commanded to teach God’s Word to others. Three times Jesus commands His followers to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17). If you preach or teach the Bible, lead a Bible study or Sunday school class, have devotions with your mate or teach the Bible to your children you are feeding God’s sheep.
What a shame if people didn’t desire God’s Word because of the way we present it to them. His Word is life giving and nourishing for our souls. There is no problem with God’s Word, but there can be a problem with how we feed it to others.
Our bodies are designed to need physical food to grow and remain physically strong and healthy. Our souls are designed to need spiritual food to grow and remain strong and healthy spiritually as well. We need to present God’s Word in a way that is interesting, holds attention and is easy to apply to daily life. Good teaching or preaching means we communicate God’s Word in a way people understand, remember and apply it to their lives. It can only be done with God’s help and dedicated work (2 Corinthians 3:5). We are to feed His sheep with the nourishment He provides in His Word, and do it to the very best because it has an eternal impact (Romans 10:9-15).
It is wonderful if God has put a burden or desire in your heart to share His Word with others. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16, “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Preaching or teaching God’s Word is a great privilege. If your church isn’t meeting you can still teach, encourage, counsel and help those you meet or talk to. Let’s make sure we communicate God’s Word in a way that attracts people to God and helps them understand and love Him better.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.
Thank God for the privilege you have of studying and learning God’s Word. Ask Him to help you be faithful with the opportunities you have to pass it on to others. Spend some time reading your Bible today.
(For a free copy of this book go to Https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/ and click on “Download Books.” To listen to an audio recording, watch a video recording or read the manuscript of the session click on “Conference Sessions.”) Our India web site has many examples of sermons as well (https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/sermons/). If you do any preaching or teaching perhaps they can be of help to you.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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