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By 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:
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 menu and
be satisfied! |
