Study of Scripture as a Discipline

So this Sunday's Message is on the value of studying Scripture.

Three points.

I. Plan - have a plan.

II. Prioritize - why, what is studying scripture.

III. Practice - How to study the Word.

Looking forward to it!

The Music Controversy in Church!

Dan Kimball
has a interesting post on this very issue. (Talk about timing since I'm doing the Spiritual Disciplines - and Worship is comign up in the next few weeks)

Here is what I found amusing was this quote:

The letter said:

"I am no music scholar, but I feel I know appropriate church music when I hear it. Last Sunday's new hymn - if you can call it that - sounded like a sentimental love ballad one would expect to hear crooned in a saloon. If you insist on exposing us to rubbish like this - in God's house! - don't be surprised if many of the faithful look for a new place to worship. The hymns we grew up with are all we need."

This letter was written in 1863 and the song they were concerned about was the hymn "Just As I Am".

Another letter said:

"What is wrong with the inspiring hymns with which we grew up? When I go to church, it is to worship God, not to be distracted with learning a new hymn. Last Sunday's was particularly unnerving. The tune was un-singable and the new harmonies were quite distorting."

This letter was written in 1890 and about the hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".


Oh, how far we've come. It almost seems this can be said today!

Sermon Worksheet

The following is a guide that I use and isn't original with me - I borrowed it from others ...feel free to use.

Step 1 Choose the Passage to be preached.
Passage:______________________________
Step 2 Study Your passage and Gather your notes.
A. Did you read the book of which the passage is a part?____
B. What introductions to the book did you read (in commentaries, study Bibles, dictionaries, encyclopedias, online etc)?


Biblical author?______________________Date Written________________
To whom Written?_____________________________________
Historical situation:


C. What is the topic of the passage immediately preceding yours?
D. What is the topic of the passage immediately following yours?
E. Versions or translations in which you read your passage (Circle all that apply)
KJV NIV NASV RSV Greek/Hebrew Interlinear
Other:
Any interesting differences between translations?

F. Any interesting or obscure details, background, terms, figures of speech in the passage.
G. Check and/or list the reference works you used to examine the individual words and details of your passage.
General:
___Young, Analytical Concordance
___ Strong, Exhaustive Concordance
___ Guthrie, New Testament Introduction
___ Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words
___ Vine, Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
___ New Bible Dictionary
___ NIV Exhaustive Concordance
___ Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia
___ Nave’s Topical Bible

Other: _____________________

Old Testament commentaries or resources used:


New Testament:

H. What important names, places, events or theological terms appear in your passage?


Step 3 What is the Central Idea (Exegetical idea) of the Passage and How does the Biblical Writer Develop it?

1. Subject (What is he talking about?)
2. Complements (what does he say about the subject)
3. In a single sentence, state the central (exegetical) idea of the passage (combine the subject and complement)
4. Give a brief outline of the Biblical writer’s development of the idea.


Step 4 Does the Biblical Writer develop His idea through narrative, explanation, proof, application or some combination?


Step 5 Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
A. What did the Biblical writer expect his readers to do?

B. What should your audience do as a result of hearing your sermon?


Step 6 State the thesis sentence (Homiletical idea) of your sermon:


Step 7 How should your thesis primarily be developed to accomplish your purpose?
___ as an idea to be explained
___ as a proposition to be proved
___ As a principle to be applied
___ as a story to be told

Step 8 Outline the Body of the Sermon
Thesis (From Step 6)

Action word: (Circle one) Can Should Must Are Other:_______

Question the thesis (Circle one)
How? (Respond by ….)
Why? (Respond because ….)
What? (Respond There are …)
When? (Respond There are …)
Where?(Respond There are …)
Who? (Respond There are …)

Key Word: (Example: principles, reasons, truths)

Major points that answer the question:
I.
II.
III.
Iv.
V.

Step 9 Fill in the outline with supporting material that explains, proves, applies or amplifies the points.

Step 10 Write the introduction and the conclusion.

Step 11: Practice until you know it thoroughly and can preach it with a minimum reliance upon your notes.

Bibliography
Davis, Ken How to Speak to Youth. Loveland, Co: Group, 1986.
McCarty, C. Barry. Advanced Preaching Lecture Notes. Roanoke Bible College. Elizabeth City, NC. 1984.
Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids. Baker. 1980.

Being Authentic

A good Reminder
that as a church leader, our lives are not our own.

We belong to Jesus and are the Hands and Feet of Him at all times.

Sure, we're messy. Sure we are broken. And sure we as leaders struggle with sin. The issue is having boundaries, accountability, and integrity.

I can tell you that sometimes my own vocabulary needs to be cleaned up too. People can misunderstand or rather read into wording that sounds like you are cursing.

Phrases like "O Crap" and "Gosh" can be exchanged for other words in their usage.

So what's one to do?

Be the Leader God has called you to be. I've known many leaders that have fallen due to immorality. Some being restored, others still broken and needing their way back (Like the prodical son).

I had the chance about a year ago to ask one leader who seemed to have everything going for him - Big Church plant, hiring staff, worked with several mega churches to plant the congregation. (Everything we think of as successful on the outside) (Only this church leader almost lost it all due to an affair)

I asked what would be one thing to help me avoid the mistakes you made? Accountability? (HE said - nope ...he had that but just lied)

His answer: Know yourself. Know your weaknesses and try to avoid those areas to be tempted in.

Sometimes it scares me that one wrong move and I can lose it all.

But you know what excites me? The right moves ... working for the Kingdom of God, loving my family, the ministry I'm at - makes life all worth the efforts. Because it isn't about me but God working through me.