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By Rev. Geoffrey Bingham
I can remember a woman
who was rich in her praise of a sermon I had just given one morning. 'That
was wonderful and helpful', she said. I knew she was critical
of our work at New Creation. 'Why don't you join us sometimes?' I
asked.
Her expression changed. 'Oh,
I don't like the idea of sitting under lectures'.
I grinned. 'What's the
difference between this morning's sermon and our regular teaching?'
She looked puzzled and
shook her head. 'You were preaching', she said, 'but at your
Centre you teach'.
I understood what she
meant, that she had listened to teaching at school and, to her,
teaching was heavy, difficult, unattractive and even boring.
At the same time I knew her to be a bright Christian who liked
vital preaching and action in times of worship, so I was not
critical of her.
I said, 'This is how
we teach, just as I have this morning. This is what I call teaching.' I
don't think I convinced her. There are hundreds like her. They
will go to a specially advertised set of meetings but neglect
regular and helpful teaching. I know of people who over a period
of thirty or more years have been glad to attend my teaching,
saying that it has been life-changing and life-enriching. Sunday
morning teaching is essential but it is scarcely enough for a
life, as it has to be limited in time and reach folk of all ages.
Churches need to extend times of teaching, and this they cannot
always do. Look at Paul's way of converting and establishing
men and women in the faith. Look at his ministry in Ephesus:
And
he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly,
arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God; but when some
were stubborn and disbelieved, speaking evil of the Way before
the congregation, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples
with him, and argued daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued
for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the
word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks (Acts 19:8-10).
We can call this teaching,
yes, but it was teaching which involved interaction with the
listeners. It must have gone on for hours each day and listeners
were deeply involved. Was it, then, boring? No, because 'all
the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and
Greeks'. Did they then go away with certificates, diplomas and
degrees? No!
What's
All this About Teaching?
Verses 11 to 20 tell
of wonderful action when the word reached the heart: some exorcists
using the name of Jesus tried to exorcise demons but were set
upon by the demons, and suddenly the effects of Paul's teaching
were seen:
And
this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and
Greeks; and fear fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord
Jesus was extolled. Many also of those who were now believers
came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number
of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together
and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value
of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily (Acts 19:17-20).
In this living context, 'the
word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily', and how could
it be so powerful if not taught? Jesus was known as 'the Teacher'.
He taught livingly. So did his followers. They were eager to
see the Word of God in action, bringing the Kingdom, converting
and equipping thousands of persons and even nations in the business
of true living.
teaching
is God's powerful way of speaking to the human heart
The New Testament uses
the verb 'to teach' and the noun 'teacher' up to a couple of
hundred times. Teaching is a given ministry; and in addition
apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors teach. All this tells
us that teaching is God's powerful way of speaking to the human
heart in order to transform and enrich the life of him 'who has
an ear to hear'.
Our teaching is welcomed by many
churches, and all of it is given by pastors and workers of churches.
The effects on many thousands of people in our regular weekly
classes and in missions and schools which we take in other States
as well as South Australia are many.
see
the rich variety
of themes available
Just for starters let
us look at what has been taught in the year 2000. Some of the
themes and subjects presented were:
- Creation, the Holy Spirit & Glory
A number of these subjects
are again offered this year. Just look at the centrepiece of
this year's program and see the rich variety of themes available.
Some churches are asking us to come and teach in them and others
are content to be a centre for teaching for their district.
Of course we have an
annual Summer School, a Winter School, and a Pastors' School
in South Australia and Schools in other States. The Christian
Workers' Correspondence Course is a facility for those who wish
to study in their homes and this course touches many folk overseas-including
a raft of pastors and other Christians who desire teaching.
Come,
then,
and join us
Finally we have a website
which has a wide coverage of teaching materials from our twenty-eight
years of varied resources. There are thousands of cassettes-both
audio and video-recorded in live, human situations. How far this
is from what my friend imagined to be a series of dull lectures!
Come, then, and join
us, and find in the fellowship of the taught Word great understanding
and encouragement. Taking this back to your churches can only
be helpful. Choose from your 2005
menu and be satisfied! |
