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  • Richard Mansel 2:02 pm on March 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching,   

    There are a lot of people who want better doorknobs without figuring out how to get a door. A doorknob is useless without a door. If we have faulty thought patterns, we remain confused and will never find what we are looking for. In fact, we can unknowingly prevent ourselves from finding it and then complain that it doesn’t exist.

    Brethren say that we cannot use denominational books and materials but then fail to understand where those materials come from. We refuse to support sound brethren to write full-time to produce scholarly works. Then we lament the lack of great books written by brethren.

    I don’t understand this at all. Why can’t people make the connections here? I have been wondering this for many years and I still don’t have an answer.

    Why can’t we allow qualified brethren to write full-time to produce quality writing? How can we convert the world if we do not have the books, tracts and materials to teach? If we refuse to do it, our only options are to use the writing of false teachers, which we cannot do.

    This is called a vicious circle that goes nowhere.

     

    • Mike Riley 4:52 pm on March 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, I don’t understand this scenario either. I produce Bible-related materials for both the adult Bible class that I teach on Sunday as well as the sermons that I present. If I can do it (without an advanced degree), anyone can do it with a modicum of Bible knowledge.

      • Richard Mansel 5:02 pm on March 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        I was looking at a spectrum of work. We need popular writing, devotional writing, good commentaries that range from basic to the highest technical level. The latter likely requires advanced studies. The degree angle must be understood in context. Thanks for helping me clarify, brother.

  • Richard Mansel 4:51 pm on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    Completely Missing the Point [Updated] 

    Teaching Revelation is fascinating. Reading the bizarre comments from commentaries is both mystifying and amusing. I saw one today that I wanted to share. I shall withhold the name of the commentary to protect the guilty. :)

    Revelation 17:6 says: I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

    The commentator came to this grisly, powerful verse and spent his entire entry on the dangers of drinking alcohol. I kid you not.

    Here we have faithful Christians, godly people walking in the light, being massacred for being in Christ and all he can muster is don’t drink alcohol? This verse should provoke tears rather than a temperance lesson.

    It is actually offensive to think that someone could ignore the sacrifice of the martyrs while riding a hobby horse. Have some respect for those who died for their faith!

    Sometimes you don’t understand what runs through people’s minds.

     

  • John Henson 10:28 pm on December 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Lively night 

    This evening, a good friend of mine who lives in Seattle and I carried on a lively discussion with two or three people on Facebook who had never obeyed the gospel.

    One of our purposes was to encourage them to reduce to writing what they believed. They had an extremely difficult time doing this, but when they did we discovered some interesting things about their thinking:

    1. Proving their position was unnecessary. One of the people expressed their belief as being a necessity to “accept Jesus as their personal savior.” However, when we asked where in the New Testament this was required, the person denied needing to do this. Another person said, “One does not have to prove why they believe the way they do.” In addition to giving her 1 John 4:1 and 1 Peter 3:15, we asked if a Muslim should prove his belief. She said, “Nope.”

    2. The scriptures were not important to them. After asking one of them to provide scriptures in support for their belief as we had for ours, one said, “No you have offered Scripture not proof and that is my point.” After then offering Hebrews 11:1 and its definition of faith being “evidence of things not seen,” the person continued to deny the importance of scripture in what one believes.

    3. The scriptures do not provide real faith. One wrote, “We believe through faith not because it was proven to be real.” At that point, it seemed to me that the possibility of reaching this person was pretty close to nil. How can one deal with someone who believes this? It was clear that:

    4. These people were entrenched. This is the hardest part of trying to teach the gospel in the United States. People are so entrenched in their man-made doctrines they have no room in their minds for the truth. Yet, we must keep trying to reach them and give them an opportunity to obey the gospel.

    It was enjoyable putting the light into the darkness, even though it was clear that people “loved darkness rather than light.”

     

    • Eugene Adkins 10:49 pm on December 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Your words remind of the very things I encounter (especially point #2) when I have conversations with people on wordpress almost on a daily basis. Even though I have only been on there for about a month it absolutely amazes me how many people who write under the topic of “Christian based, Jesus believing, God loving” articles have disdaining and negative attiudes toward and about the Bible and absolute truth. I just had one right before I came here.

      It really is sad when someone wants to talk about Christianity or Jesus but they will not accept anything that the Bible says unless it supports what they believe. If it doesn’t then it “automatically” becomes “just the words of Paul” or something that another man wrote in and “not what God wanted taught.” It has really made me think about the saying, “there are none so blind as those who will not see” in a whole new light.

      • John Henson 7:09 am on December 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        You’re right, brother. This idea that one can believe what one wishes without even understanding it and a reluctance to accept biblical teaching as the objective word of God is becoming more widely accepted. I could not believe that one of the people we had the discussion with said it was not necessary for a Muslim to prove his assertions. That kinda got my attention.

  • J. Randal Matheny 3:28 pm on September 22, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching,   

    Eddie Parrish’s PowerPoints online 

    From Eddie: PowerPoint slides for my class on “Spiritual Disciplines” and handouts for my class on “The Life of Christ” can be found on my blog: http://ontomaturity.wordpress.com/

     

  • Richard Mansel 12:53 pm on September 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching   

    How Not to Study Revelation 

    “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea” (Revelation 7:1-2).

    The Bible class gathers on Wednesday night and they open their Bibles to Revelation 7. There are right, productive ways to do things and there are wrong, counter-productive ways to perform the same functions.

    Here are some wrong ways to spend class time studying these two verses.

    1. Debate the names of the angels.
    2. Debate why these verses claim that the earth has literal corners.
    3. Debate how you can hold wind in your hand.
    4. Talk about strong winds you have seen and how many trees you’ve seen blown down.
    5. Debate the language that the angel spoke and his accent.

    My point is that we can completely miss the points made in Revelation by focusing on the wrong things. The symbolism in the book points to the power of God and His glory and our responsibilities in terms of salvation and obedience. The book is about victory.

    However, we can drown in the symbols and details and miss all of the valuable material. In essence, we strangle John’s message and God’s teachings do not get into our hearts.

    Too many congregations never study Revelation and I wonder how many ignore it for the reasons stated above. We don’t need to be afraid of Revelation. However, we must remain focused on the true lessons of the book and never lose sight of the overall picture John is painting.

     

  • Richard Mansel 3:21 pm on June 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , teaching   

    “If you were to take the sum total of all authoritative articles ever written by the most qualified of psychologists and psychiatrists on the subject of mental hygiene–if you were to combine them and refine them and cleave out the excess verbiage–if you were to take the whole of the meat and none of the parsley, and if you were to have these unadulterated bits of pure scientific knowledge concisely expressed by the most capable of living poets, you would have an awkward and incomplete summation of the Sermon on the Mount” [Psychiatrist, J.T. Fisher]

    “More Evidence That Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell, page 162].
     

  • joyjensen 9:20 am on June 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , new converts, , teaching   

    From a Babe You’ve Known the Sacred Writings 

    One thing that I’ve been working on lately is a list of suggested Old Testament Lessons with References .  Ignorance of Bible content is not a problem limited to third world countries, such as where we currently live.  It is an increasingly world-wide challenge, as worldly pleasures compete more and more for our time.  This isn’t just a challenge for children and youth, but it affects all ages.  So, I would like to challenge you to make Bible knowledge a priority in your family.  Help your children become students of the Word.

    Knowledge alone is not the same thing
    as a tender heart that desires to please God.
    However, our family members, 
    both young and old, 
     need to see that within the pages of His Word
    there are men and women who were real,
    who had the same basic struggles as we have.
    They  need to see that some people made good choices 
    and some made bad choices,
    and they need to see what God’s response was,
    based on the choices made.
    Our families need to be amazed
    at God’s power and providence throughout the ages.

    If there is one thing I’d like to stress, it is that we should not underestimate the minds of little children! They are FAR MORE capable than we often realize.  Most two and three year old children are capable of learning all of the books of the Bible, from memory!  You may find that you have some catching up to do, and that’s okay, as long as you recognize the need and you are willing to do something about it.  Learn together with your children.

    So far I have the list finished for the Old Testament.  Please know that this list is just a starting place!  It is in no way a complete list of all relevant events in the Old Testament. Keep in mind that one of the reasons I am compiling these lists is so that I can have them translated into Swahili so that they can be shared with parents who absolutely do not know how to go about teaching their children, as well as people who are “starting from scratch” in their Bible knowledge, such as new converts.

    I’m still working on one for the New Testament and it is proving to be much more difficult for me to decide what to list, but hopefully I will be done with my N.T. list soon.
     

  • Richard Hill 12:56 pm on April 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Smyrna, teaching,   

    Oh To Be A Fly On The Wall At Smyrna! 

    When the Lord casts his eye upon a church and simply encourages them to keep up the good work, I want to know more about them. The church at Smyrna was such a group.

    Wouldn’t it be so amazing to drop back it time, slip into one of their meetings, and personally experience their worship and teaching? What would be the same as where we presently attend? What would be different? Except for superficials such as language and location and order why should it be different?

     

  • Richard Mansel 9:02 am on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , humans, , teaching, ,   

    Learn the Scriptures and the People 

    One can be a devoted student of Scripture and yet not understand the people to whom they minister. We must not be cloistered in our hole, failing to interact with others. The Bible student who is not also a student of human nature, misses the other half of the equation.

    The ultimate goal of  Bible study is two-fold.  First, we desire heaven as our own future destination. Secondly, we want to inspire others to take the same path. How do we do the latter if we know nothing of our subjects?

    We need to be very attentive to the ways and motivations of human beings. We must study how they think and react to certain ideas. Study the culture and know what turns people’s heads. In so doing, we become better armed when we reach out to people.

    There is danger in this method, of course. Nietzsche is credited with saying, “When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you.” If we will learn the culture, we must not let it drag us into its web of deceit.

    (More …)

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 9:13 am on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Spot on, Richard. Thanks for this. I’d only add that if we are alien to them — looking at it from the perspective of those we want to reach –, we will almost certainly not reach them.

    • John Henson 9:54 am on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Excellent points, brother!

  • Richard Mansel 10:53 am on March 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Teaching Revelation 

    I am teaching the Sermon on the Mount and we are starting chapter seven tonight. Soon, we will be through with this study and ready to begin Revelation. This will be my third time to teach the book through the years. I am by no means an expert on all the intricacies of the book.

    With great trepidation,  I first began to teach it as a young preacher. Yet, when I got into the study and saw the cycles of thought, the book became less imposing.

    When I teach Revelation, I don’t get bogged down with the symbolism.  The book has a message from  God and teaches many valuable lessons. It is not a labyrinth to wander in forever. The points are made without digging in that deeply. Whether the Roman ruler is Domitian or Nero, the main points are still the same.

    The real problem with teaching the book is with materials that you use. Everyone has such wildly divergent beliefs about the book that it makes it difficult to know what to use. Clearly, I will not use anyone who teaches premillinalism. In that vein, it is hard for me to teach Revelation without pointing out the obvious errors that people teach about the book.

    It interests me that Revelation works at two levels simultaneously. You have what it meant to the persecuted saints of John’s day and you have the overall battle of God and Satan in our own day. Lose track of either of these paths and you miss a wealth of material.

    What are your thoughts about teaching the book?

     

    • Kevin W. Rhodes 11:19 am on March 16, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      One thing where I disagree with most is on the nature of the persecution referred to in the book. Apocalyptic literature appeared during times of cultural conflict without reference to typical persecution as we usually think of it. As a result, I regularly see preachers treat the book anachronistically and unhistorically. Therefore, I would suggest that the book presents two different layers of spiritual conflict: the conflict that exists between God and Satan, as you mentioned, and the conflict that exists spiritually between God’s people and those that would pressure God’s people to become unfaithful, regardless of the means employed.

      Of course, the correct historical background of the book is essential to properly understand various specific elements of the book, but these two main principles are clear regardless, as you also mentioned. God wins; Satan loses. If we are faithful to God, we can win too.

  • Glenda Williams 3:37 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    Grandma’s treadle machine is at rest 

    Grandma Evie Lee Bryant had a treadle sewing machine, identical to the one pictured, to which I have fallen heir. She did sewing and alterations while peddling with both feet and guiding the fabric at the needle with her hands. Grandma enjoyed piecing and quilting  tops. She taught me to quilt on wood quilting frames that rested on four straight back chairs. Everyone learned fast Grandma didn’t like it when we bumped the quilting frame. A quilter could stick their finger or the frame might fall off the chair back.

    Grandpa sat on his yellow platform rocker and cut out quilt squares for Grandma when he wasn’t reading his Bible. More often than not, Grandpa, with his 6′ 4″ thin statue, sat with his legs crossed. The crossed foot easily touched the floor. Grandpa usually had an open Bible on his lap. If you caught him just right you could see a puff of smoke drifting up from the black pipe in his mouth. When things got quiet and still, Grandpa rested his nose between his right thumb and pointer finger, sliding it gently up and down his nose as he lulled himself to sleep while sitting on his chair.

    Grandma’s treadle sewing machine hasn’t been used in many years. It has a prominent place in our home. At the age of 11 years mother stood and sewed     clothes for her doll on the machine. That makes it priceless to me.  And the  time Grandma spent teaching me to quilt wasn’t wasted either.  Today I follow her tradition as I  quilt a top made from scraps that mother had saved.

    Paul told Titus 2:3-5…”the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they  admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discrete, chaste, homemakers, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word    of God may not be blasphemed.”  True teaching which is needed today, but often     left forgotten.

     

    • Mike Riley 3:49 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Amen, Glenda! Great story of the fortitude of people who lived in a time where quality made a difference, including high moral standards.

      Like your grandmother, my grandmother had (an used) an old Singer sewing machine for many years. They are relics now, but still a great reminder of those folks who sacrificed their time, talents and energy in order to help others.

  • Richard Mansel 9:57 am on March 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Understanding Salvation 

    As writers and teachers, we struggle to find word pictures that elucidate the truth for our readers/hearers.  Of course, the most important thing we can teach is salvation and how we can attain it as sinful human beings (Romans 3:23). Today, I offer a fictional account of a young boy lost in the snow that illustrates what God offers us as sinners in need of salvation. I hope you will be edified by the article.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:13 pm on March 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, I really did enjoy reading the narrative as well as the spiritual application at the end. May the Lord continue to bless your exceptional writing ability for His glory.

  • Glenda Williams 8:36 am on March 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching,   

    Generic Christian? 

    Yesterday my husband was studying with someone who said he considered himself  a “generic Christian.” He can worship anywhere, it doesn’t matter, yet he hates denominations because they cause division. He can worship with instrumental music, or without, it doesn’t matter to him. He can take the Lord’s Supper each Sunday, quarterly, yearly. It doesn’t matter to him. He thinks the New Testament is not a blueprint for us to follow. Just as the Ten Commandments were not ten suggestions, the New Testament is not a list of suggestions, but rather a pattern for us to follow.

    Webster defines generic as “general, not specific.” Generic medicine is usually less expensive than regular, or name brand medicine. It is a substitute for the original medicine. Generic food is no brand name food. Generic churches are no name churches. Their signs are no name brand signs. The Community churches, the Crossroad churches, the Meeting Places, etc., without further identification, are  generic names. You see their name and ask, “What kind of church is that?” You can’t find by their name what they teach and what they believe. They are generic churches.

    Generics quality are questioned as being as good as the original. They are less expensive. Those who support generics will say they are just as good, but they are missing some qualities of the original product.

    Is that what we are coming to with all the changes taking place in the church? Are we becoming generic Christians? Just so we love each other, accept Jesus Christ, don’t stick to a set of rigid rules, have no disagreements, anything goes as long as it attracts people. What is taught or practiced does not matter. Is the Bible no longer our authority for a thus saith the Lord? What is our standard? Where and on what do we stand? Are love and belief in Jesus enough?

    Are we a Christian, or a substitute Christian? Are we the real thing or generic? Joshua said in the long ago, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). To me that means following after the pattern in the New Testament, not adding to nor taking from it. That is the pattern by which we will be judged (John 12:48). That is not generic.

     

    • Linda Sartain 8:54 am on March 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Outstanding article! Thank you for writing this because so many need to give serious thought to this current trend. I was not familiar with the term generic Christian. When I heard it I thought, yes, that describes the watered down version of those we see who profess “love only” actions. The Lord did stress love as the greatest commandment, but he also said to keep my commandments.

    • Mike Riley 9:03 am on March 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Glenda, thank you for the good article, as it makes us think. Along similar thoughts, I wrote about what a true Christian is: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/10/27/are-we-a-true-christian/

      Can God designate us a “true” Christian? Something to also think about.

  • Ron Thomas 5:15 am on March 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching   

    Is it really Inconvenient? 

    One of the 60 inconvenient truths reads,

    If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Just as this motto might be interpreted in a negative way, we can turn it around and use it positively. If we preach and teach what the apostles in New Testament times did, we will get what they got.

     

  • Mike Riley 7:10 am on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: attain, , coming, , , , , , teaching   

    Summing Up The Bible In One Sentence 

    The Bible is about the coming of Jesus as our Savior, His teachings, & our necessary obedience to those teachings in order to attain heaven.

     

  • Mike Riley 9:22 am on December 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , teaching, ,   

    One Thing To Do Before 2010 Closes 

    Pray that our country’s moral and spiritual values will improve in 2011 due to the teaching of the saving gospel of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), and that brethren be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”: http://www.just1word.com/bible/verse/1-corinthians_15:58?version=kjv

    And all of the above starts with ME!

     

  • John Henson 8:47 pm on December 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching   

    What’s in a name? 

    What’s In a Name?

    It’s amazing the number of people who believe that names don’t matter. Perhaps some of those folks wouldn’t mind changing their name to Lee Harvey Oswald or perhaps Benedict Arnold.

    In the Old Testament, one of Isaiah’s children was named by the Lord God. The child’s name would be Maher-shalal-hash-baz, which according to one translator means, “They hasten to the spoil; they speed to the prey.

    Imagine having a moniker like that! Why in the world would the Lord require a child to bear that name?

    Think about it this way: every time someone would hear this young man’s name, it would be like a hearing a sermon about the certainty of God’s will. The name was meant to teach Judah God’s word will always stand. In only about two years, Syria and Israel would be destroyed and then the Assyrians would turn their power on Judah.

    Maher-shalal-hash-baz! God’s will stands! Get ready! You’re next.

    Turns out there’s plenty in a name, isn’t there?

     

  • John Henson 9:48 am on December 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: teaching,   

    John Vaughan 

    The last visitor who encouraged me was John Vaughan, one of the preachers at Graymere Church of Christ in Columbia, Tennessee.

    John was with us here in Grand Blanc, Michigan for our September meeting, and it was an opportunity for me to drink deeply from a great fountain of spiritual knowledge. John has preached for more than 35 years. He always has been, and still is, a diligent student of the word of God.

    Occasionally, it’s easy to get bogged down. One begins to think he hasn’t done enough, not taught enough, not visited enough. When trying to do self-evaluation, it’s easy to become hypercritical and forget some important things.

    John reminded me of those things I had forgotten and restored some right thinking in me. By the providence of God, John helped me remember that teaching and helping people here was more important than my own “success.”

    I have thanked God for allowing John to come all the way here to help all of us, not just me. If it is God’s will, he’ll be here again in the fall of 2011. We’re hoping for an entire week this time.

     

  • Chad Dollahite 2:12 pm on November 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , teaching   

    Audience-Centered Preaching 

    I’ve been re-reading Tom Holland’s book, “Sermon Design & Delivery,” and something caught my attention once again. Bro. Holland stresses that, for the local preacher, sermons must be biblical, but they absolutely must be audience-centered. He mentions Paul’s sermon to Felix (Acts 26:24-25). It struck me just how audience-centered this sermon was. Here was a political figure, quite possibly an idolatrous, immoral, intemperate person. So, what does Paul preach? He hits him right between the eyes with righteousness, temperance, and he warns of coming judgment (v. 25). Talk about a sermon Felix needed to hear! Paul wasn’t harsh or unloving, but he preached what this man needed to hear “without fear or favor.” On Mars Hill (Acts 17), what did Paul talk about? He preached about the “unknown god,” a sermon that would really get their attention and which they really needed. In Acts 2, Peter could have preached about the one God and received some hearty “Amens!” from the crowd, but he instead preached about Jesus, declaring, “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (v. 36). Talk about a sermon they needed to hear!

    Whether we are preachers or Christians seeking to obey Mark 16:15, we need to preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2), but we also need to make sure, when possible, we are preaching and teaching audience-centered material. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32, another audience-centered message of Paul’s).

     

    • Mike Riley 2:27 pm on November 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Great observation and points, Chad!

    • J. Randal Matheny 5:56 pm on November 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      One of my favorite topics. The starter point here, in my mind, is the incarnation of Christ, through which he became like man. Thanks for this good reminder.

      • ccdollahite 7:14 pm on November 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        That one got by me, Randal…that is indeed the obvious starter point. Good thoughts!

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:33 pm on November 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: teaching,   

    Hi, guys. Been very busy, studying now to teach and preach at the Central congregation here in the morning, got invited to do that as well. Have been teaching 6 hrs a day, visiting and chatting at least another 10-12. Arriving home tomorrow night, Lord permitting. Have had almost no Internet time, in spite of having wifi at school and home where we’re staying. Will check in later. Carry on!

     

    • Mike Riley 9:18 pm on November 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, we pray that your teaching has been effective and that many souls will be led to Christ as a result. Pray for your safe return home.

  • Glenda Williams 6:48 pm on November 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching,   

    Screaming teaching is a mistake 

    If you think you have to scream to get your message across to your children, your students, your congregation, you are mistaken.

    One of the great secrets of teaching is that the quieter you get, the more students will listen. Teachers just entering the profession are naturally inclined to raise their voice to the students, but pretty soon no one will listen to a screaming teacher.

    Why would anyone want to worship where the preacher screams at the top of his lungs at them? Screaming teaching is a mistake….a big one.

     

    • Mike Riley 8:49 pm on November 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Glenda, I agree 100%, that screaming won’t get the job done.

      In my conversation with kids at school, they tell me they look for a teacher that will speak to them with kind and encouraging words, because that is what children desperately want to hear.

      Many do not hear these types of words at home. They usually hear critical, harsh, and demanding words. They are looking for a sympathetic and understanding ear from their teachers. Only then will they be willing and eager to learn.

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:21 pm on November 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: absence, teaching,   

    Up, up and away 

    Tomorrow night Vicki and I go to another state where I’ll teach for a week, returning the following Sunday. With a full schedule, I’ll not be posting much, if at all. Don’t know what Internet access will be like there. Looks like one of our Fellows may be taking on the Nudge, posting a few during the week, if not every day. Please keep up the good work, and share your insights and perspectives with the world. Lord permitting, we’ll be back before you know it, maybe before you’re ready for me.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:24 pm on November 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Have a safe and prosperous trip, Randal! Will be praying that your teaching will bring forth much fruit.

  • Mike Riley 9:05 am on October 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , teaching,   

    The Last True Evangelist 

    The last true evangelist that I’ve known who lived what he preached, was Brother Dan Gibson, who preached for our Montana Street congregation for approximately seven years. He has since retired, he and his wife moving to Conroe, Texas to be close to their children.

    He and his wife Joy, are now members of the Longmire congregation http://www.longmirechurchofchrist.com/longmirecc/welcome, where he now preaches part time. He also oversees the congregation’s educational program, making sure that the materials used in their Bible classes, coincides with clear Bible teaching.

    Brother Dan is truly a man of the Book. I love and miss he and his wife dearly. I call him every weekend to see how he and his wife are getting along healthwise (they are in their late 70′s). Such faithful preachers in the brotherhood, are few and far between (and getting fewer by the day).

     

  • Ron Thomas 3:05 pm on October 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , inoculation, , teaching   

    Inoculation 

    I read an interview that was telling, though not surprising. The author of a new book, “Generation Ex – Christian” (Drew Dyck) was interviewed in the Birmingham News. The thrust of the book dealt with why young people are leaving “the faith.” I found the interview interesting because, once again, it confirms what thoughtful people have long known: people who are entertained are empty of substance. A question was asked of the author about whether or not the “church” has played a significant role in young people’s departure. Mr. Dyck responds, “Over the past couple of decades, business thinking has affected the way many churches minister to youth. The goal has become attracting large numbers of kids and keeping them entertained.” These same youth, he goes on to say, are devoid of any spiritual engagement (substance – RT). “Many young people have been exposed to a superficial form of Christianity that effectively inoculates them against authentic faith.”

    Aside from the nebulous language used by the author (and the interviewer), the interview is useful and practical for preachers and leaders in the church to read. As in generations past, our challenge as parents to inoculate our children from seeds sown by Satan. This can be done best when we lead them spiritually (living the life of Christ) and do as the Lord said to Moses many years ago (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). When you think about it, can we really improve upon this method of teaching?

    Perhaps you will find it interesting. http://blog.al.com/living-news/2010/10/author_drew_dyck_on_generation.html

     

    • Mike Riley 6:08 pm on October 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I agree 100% with this author. The church has “entertained” our young people to death, so what do they do? Leave the church and go to some other place where there is greater and more spectacular entertainment, leaving the spiritual part of their being with an empty void.

      Spiritual guidance and instruction begins in the home, and at an early age (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15).

      • Ron 4:55 am on October 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Mike, I preached on this topic; it was well received. I do this often. I will have something “catch” my eye as I peruse the internet (news), and if I find it intriguing, I will preach on it.

        • Mike Riley 7:39 am on October 25, 2010 Permalink

          Ron, it’s good that this topic was well received, because it is much needed in the church today. The church needs to stop entertaining, and start training its young people – the ones who will uphold and carry on the gospel a generation from now (Psalm 78:1-8).

  • Glenda Williams 2:19 pm on October 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching,   

    A marital sacrifice 

    When Paul came to Corinth the Bible says he found a certain Jew named Aquila with his wife Priscilla and came unto them. Because they were of the same craft, he abode with them. They were tentmakers. (Acts 18:1-3) The Bible tells about Paul preaching and what he went through, but verse 18 says Paul stayed there a good whle, and then left the brethren and sailed into Syria and with him, Priscilla and Aquila.

    I have always found this interesting that Priscilla and Aquila left their home, and perhaps an established business, and followed Paul to Ephesus.  He left them and sailed from Ephesus and went down to Antioch. From there Paul went about preaching and strengthening all the disciples.  Then we find Apollos coming to Ephesus and preaching. There Priscilla and Aquila heard him and took him aside to teach him the way of the Lord more perfectly.

    Pulling up roots and moving to me is a marital sacrifice, but a needed one, if a person wants to be in the preaching profession.

     

  • Glenda Williams 9:45 am on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    Is the gospel safe in your hands? 

    We were visiting in another state on a Sunday morning years ago. We went into a Bible class being taught by a well-educated young man. He would soon be on the staff of one of our Christian colleges. As we left the class our son asked, “Do you think the gospel is safe in his hands?” 

    I ask today, “Is the gospel safe in your hands?”  Will you protect it, preserve it, and teach it just as it is? When people hear you teach the gospel, will they recognize it as the word of God? Is the gospel safe in your hands?

     

    • Mike Riley 6:59 pm on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Great question that your son asked! Now days, it’s questionable as to whether or not the gospel is safe in the hands of many in the church today. This is exactly why we need to follow the instructions found in 2 Corinthians 13:5, so that we will never be classified as “reprobates.”

    • Paula Harrington 8:12 pm on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I love this! Not only should it be safe, but it should be used, too!

  • Glenda Williams 7:45 am on October 12, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    Five baptized at County Jail 

    “Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can come back up,” is a statement my sister-in-law said about people on the wrong path in life. I have thought of that many times since being involved in jail ministry work.

    On Thursday evenings a team of men goes into the local county jail and studies with the inmates for an hour. Last Thursday morning my husband, Douglas, went to the jail and baptized five men who wanted to become Christians. We have baptized so many until the jail staff bought a large metal, oblong tub for us to use for baptisms.  

    After a person is baptized we make their picture and put it on the front page of our next bulletin. We consider it front-page news, just like an important article in the newspaper. The men in the jail like to have copies of the bulletin to share with family members and to keep for themselves. Recently one of the younger men mentioned he didn’t want his picture in the orange prison uniform put on the bulletin.  I couldn’t help but think that he was ashamed of the reminder that he broke the law and had to pay for it.  Yet, we know, his soul was as white as snow. Sin scars.

     

    • Mike Riley 7:57 am on October 12, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Glenda, we rejoice for those who committed their lives to the Lord, and we ask that He continue to bless the prison work that your husband and others are doing. May the Lord be glorified in their effort.

  • Richard Mansel 9:40 pm on September 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching,   

    Writing Better Biblical Articles 

    “If we want to write a non-fiction article that will move people to act decisively to improve their lives or correct a shortcoming, we must remember these four basic tips. We must never settle for mediocrity. Always strive to produce a masterpiece, even if we fall short. Aspiring for greatness pushes us to higher levels of competency.”

    Read  More

     

  • Richard Mansel 4:57 pm on September 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    Wednesday Night Classes 

    We’ve been busy. In four years of Wednesday nights I have been here, [ we have singing night the last Wednesday night of the month] we have studied the qualifications of Elder & Deacons, Romans and Hebrews. Some people spend that long in each of those books. We are now in the Sermon on the Mount. It is always fun. :)

     

  • Richard Mansel 3:20 pm on August 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching,   

    Good First Impressions 

    If we will write, to bring people to Christ, we must always be aware of making a good first impression. We certainly do not want to turn people away from hearing the truth. I offer three ways that we can make that great impression, so people will receive the gospel message. I hope you find it beneficial. If you do, share it with someone else, please.

     

  • Richard Mansel 4:22 pm on August 2, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching,   

    Want to Become a Better Writer? 

    I have decided to refocus my Moving Word blog and use my energies to helping my readers become better writers. I will be offering tips, instruction and interviews, etc. I hope it will be a beneficial work. Please pray for this effort.

     

  • Mike Riley 10:25 am on July 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , repetitive, teaching, terms   

    Repeat, Repeat, And Repeat 

    The Bible is full of repetitive phrases and terms, in order to emphasize the importance of our adhering to a principle or teaching. For example, in his letter (More …)

     

  • Mike Riley 4:18 pm on July 9, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: constant, , , , , , plant, , reinforce, , teaching,   

    My faith in the Lord and in His powerful gospel (Romans 1:16) is constantly reinforced when I see folks at our local rescue mission http://www.rescuemissionep.com/default.htm responding to gospel teaching. We’ve seen five folks respond in just the past six months, and we praise the Lord for their obedient response. All we have to do is plant and water, and God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

     

  • Richard Mansel 1:04 am on June 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Improved 

    I have discussed my health situation here before. I don’t know why for certain, but since I have been on crutches, and preaching/teaching from a stool or a chair, I think I have actually gotten better as a speaker.

    My wife thinks that it may be because I am more focused. I think that is the only explanation. If I ever get off of these crutches, I will have to learn from this and grow.  We need to always seek to improve and grow in everything we do.

    By the way, thanks for your prayers.

     

    • John Henson 12:37 pm on June 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Still praying for your, brother!

  • Glenda Williams 9:29 am on May 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Two baptisms this past week 

    Two more people were baptized this past week at Geneva, making a total of 25 thus far this year.  Several of our members are teaching faithfully every week, most in the jail, but let me tell you about our youngest man who teaches. He goes from door to door asking people if he can study with them. He doesn’t want to work a job, but rather just teach people the Bible.  Thankfully for now he has a grandmother who supports him and he lives with her.  He has almost finished his degree in Bible at Faulkner University, and wants to preach full time.  He uses the 3-lesson Open Bible study course and is having great success with it.  I wonder if he even knows how many he has taught and baptized this year.  This young man is 21 or 22, and single.  He baptizes people wherever he goes.  He baptizes late at night in the river below Geneva. He baptizes in the gulf when in Florida, and often times he calls and wants to use the church baptistry because he has someone ready to be baptized.  He is constantly studying with people by texting.  He thinks we should only talk about the Bible, and associate only with people who will talk about it with us. It seems every minute he is awake is either spent in teaching people the gospel or studying his Bible. 

    What am I doing? Washing and drying the baptismal garments and keeping them ready for the next one, or more, who needs them!

     

  • Richard Mansel 4:31 pm on May 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , teaching   

    Be Careful With Your Words 

    Are we guilty of making too many sweeping statements when we write or teach? Do we turn people off when we do? I hope you will consider carefully what I have written.

    Thank you in advance.

     

    • Mike Riley 5:54 pm on May 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, great points! Yes, we are indeed guilty of making sweeping statements, that are not necessarily true as you pointed out. Some folks have the idea that in order to be a Christian, you must be poor and destitute, but that’s not the picture painted in the Bible. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having money and possessions. It’s our attitude towards those things, that many times become our downfall.

    • Richard Hill 7:46 pm on May 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      How easy it is to speak too broadly or too narrowly. Determining the width of a word definition is a serious challenge to every writer. Then determining if it’s the right word to use–an even greater challenge. Let’s keep each other on our toes. Thanks for the pointers.

  • Mike Riley 1:17 am on May 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , teaching, useful   

    My Most Useful Gift 

    My most useful gift was a Dickson Bible that my wife and father-in-law gave me on Christmas Day in 1981. It contains many Bible helps that today’s cheaper Bibles do not have. I’ve used it very extensively in Bible class teaching.

     

    • Glenda Williams 3:28 am on May 4, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Mike, we have always had Dickson Bibles. I agree with you completely. Douglas preaches from it.

  • Glenda Williams 7:20 pm on April 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , teaching   

    5 Baptized this week. 

    Randal always encourages us to post news along with the daily nudge, so here is my news.  We have had three young boys baptized this week who ride our church van to the services, and two women from the local county jail.  The women were so happy they were crying.  That makes 21 baptisms thus far this year.  God is so good. The church here is blessed to have people who are willing to teach others one on one, and in small groups.

     

    • Stephen R. Bradd 10:08 pm on April 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      That’s great news to share, Glenda. Thanks!

    • Paula Harrington 1:01 am on April 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Wonderful news, Glenda! Thanks for sharing.

    • Mike Riley 3:13 am on April 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      WOW! That is great news, Glenda! You are very blessed to have talented members who are willing to teach others. May the Lord grant us more members such as these!

  • Glenda Williams 2:28 pm on March 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: teaching   

    Something to Think About 

    My brother-in-law, Bill Williams, sends out a daily email, “Something to Think About,” with a thought provoking quote. I like them. If you would like to receive it, sign up by sending him an email at newbrickchurch@hotmail.com.

     

    • Mike Riley 3:08 pm on March 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Glenda, I just sent an email to your brother-in-law asking him to sign me up!

  • Daniel Haynes 2:14 pm on March 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , teaching   

    Mission Report, March 2010 

    Read Ron Coleman’s latest mission report here as he reports on his recent trip to Ukraine.

     

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