tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514316733918143759.post1175880475611325421..comments2021-02-07T10:56:21.628-05:00Comments on Deconstructing Neverland: Sermons and spiritual growthMisplaced Honorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07678088467204383307noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514316733918143759.post-15462768457836770072011-08-16T12:19:37.056-04:002011-08-16T12:19:37.056-04:00Bobby,
I completely agree with your last statemen...Bobby,<br /><br />I completely agree with your last statement about making a truth your own by sharing it in some form with others. <br /><br />I've always seen preaching, that traditional speech from the pulpit by the local pastor, as more of a "teaching" time. As Patrick says, it can be a time where the text of the Bible is opened up, and the Holy Spirit can use that time to shed illumination on concepts and ideas that Christians need to understand. Its also useful to help the local church body maintain a unity of mission and purpose, if you will. <br /><br />But real Christian growth is done an the very small, individual level. Discipleship is a one on one, or very small group, thing. And it's done by example and leadership out of a Christ-centered, humble, servant heart, dying and suffering to help another understand the wonderful, awesome, glorious grace of God. <br /><br />Wise, well crafted, plausible arguments do have their place in developing disciples. After all, it was Paul who wrote both the words you quoted, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified", and the book of Romans, perhaps the most studious, well crafted, scholarly argument for The Faith that anyone has ever written in history. <br /><br />I think Paul makes the point, good teaching and preaching have their place in God's design to reveal himself to the world. But good teaching or preaching, no matter good it is, is ineffective without one on one discipleship where people get to see and practice God's love in our lives.Mike Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05274746511721978414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514316733918143759.post-53365396598961788812011-08-03T12:56:35.921-04:002011-08-03T12:56:35.921-04:00Patrick,
I can see the value in both ways of prea...Patrick,<br /><br />I can see the value in both ways of preaching (verse by verse exposition and drawing on principles). I think it's good that you "consider" the best way to edify the body you oversee rather than sticking with what many advocate as the "only way" to preach.<br /><br />I've found it to be a principle in my own journey that I never really learn and make a truth my own until I share it with others via either speaking or writing. In my mind that puts preaching at the mercy of "one anothering" that preached word before it results in spiritual growth.<br /><br />Have you found that to be true for you as well?Misplaced Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07678088467204383307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514316733918143759.post-42617921088111928012011-08-03T11:38:51.848-04:002011-08-03T11:38:51.848-04:00Good thoughts here man. I've struggled with ex...Good thoughts here man. I've struggled with exactly what type/form of preaching is most effective in terms of deepening faith--obviously via the power of the Spirit. Here's where I've landed and thus feel convicted because I've experienced a good bit of inner turmoil and some mouth ulcers over this.<br /><br />I've tried to get away from verse-by-verse exposition of the text and gone more the way of "what's the principle here" type preaching. It's somewhat necessary because of the particular flock God has me over at this point. <br /><br />However, were I to plant a church or take a church to pastor, I would make it my heartfelt goal each week to show the richness and beauty and glory of Christ and God preaching through books of the Bible. In doing so, it's still possible not to do a running commentary for an hour--that I don't like my friend, and I've heard it done. I don't like guys who ramble for 50 minutes taking every rabbit trail that comes to mind.<br /><br />But if we can open the phrases and structures of particular passages and people see the richness of the text and that it DOES speak into their lives, then I believe we preach for transformation in that very moment and at the same time, equip people to read the Scriptures on their own as well...which is what lacks on a ridiculous level currently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com