Malcolm Cox

“Three Big Questions” - suitable for friends?

Information about the new series in the month of May. We’ll be tackling “Three big questions”. “Did Jesus exist?”; “Did Jesus rise again?”; “If there is a good God, how can he allow suffering?”.Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Information about the new series in the month of May. We’ll be tackling “Three big questions”. “Did Jesus exist?”; “Did Jesus rise again?”; “If there is a good God, how can he allow suffering?”.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

Barnabas is brilliant. But what is it that makes him so “effective” as a speaker (Acts 14:1)? We don’t know much about his technique, but we know a lot about his character and his spirituality. In this series we will investigate brilliant Barnabas in the book of Acts and beyond. In doing so I hope we will all gain insights which will help us to be as effective as him.

We move on today to Acts 13.13-52.

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org). 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm

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“How to find people who want to listen”, Acts 13.3-14 

Introduction, vv3-5 

1\. Be Active in the Spirit’s Mission, vv3-5 

A. Partnership 

B. Proclaiming 

2\. Trust God to Connect You with People (who want to hear the Word), vv6-7 

A. An unlikely introduction 

B. Who is God connecting you to? 

3\. Take Opportunities God Provides to Display His Power, vv8-12 

A. To be expected 

B. Against God, not us 

C. God is more powerful 

Conclusion, vv13-14 

We will find people who want to listen 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Information about the new series in the month of May. We’ll be tackling “Three big questions”. “Did Jesus exist?”; “Did Jesus rise again?”; “If there is a good God, how can he allow suffering?”.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

I take “Worship Musician” magazine. I can thoroughly recommend it. If you would like to subscribe, click [here](https://form.jotform.com/83504701766155). And no, I don’t have any commercial links to the magazine! 

An article I read in the January 2019 edition (vol 17) was titled, “6 mistakes that keep your church from singing” by Jon Nicol. I was intrigued. The churches I serve sing well by and large. But they don’t always sing well. And, it’s clear that some people are less engaged with the musical side of worship than looks healthy to me. What to do? 

I certainly don’t want to berate the congregation when they are not engaged in the singing. Neither do I want to bully individuals into participation! There is a better way. I think you will find the six tips helpful. They may not all apply in your situation, but it’s worth using them to review the areas which might be hindering your church from fully embracing and enjoying all of what corporate musical worship has to offer.

Last week we talked about "Too loud/too soft”, this week we are wrapping up.

In his conclusion John says this,

“Do you want the unvarnished truth? In many churches, it’s far easier to sing for and at the congregation than it is to get them to sing with you to the Lord. But we no longer need the “priestly go-between” to do our worship for us.

Our role is not to be musical mediators. It’s to be lead worshippers who love the congregation and create the best possible environment that encourages them to sing to the Lord from their hearts."

What do you find hinders congregations from singing? Please add your thoughts based on your local situation and personal experience.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, worship magazine,

Do you ever feel flat when you go out to pray? This happened to me on Wednesday. Let me share with you what I did, and how it helped me.

Lyrics of the hymn I sing in the podcast:

1\. When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride.

2\. Forbid it Lord, that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood.

3\. See, from His head, His hands, His feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4\. Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a off'ring far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Scriptures referred to in the podcast:

* "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30 NIV11)

* “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 NIV11)

What do you do when you for your flat? Please share what makes the difference for you.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org).

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

“How to be an Antioch church”, Acts 11.19-30

Introduction, vv19-21

* Third largest city in Roman Empire at the time (after Rome and Alexandria). Pop around 500,000.   

* Centre for admin of Syria.

* Famous for lax morals

* At centre of events from here to Acts 14.28. 

* Cosmopolitan city: many Jews and Gentiles.

1\. sPeak words of encouragement, vv22-24 

Gentiles already converted, but individuals (Ethiopian; Cornelius). What’s new is the scale of Gentile conversions.

A. Observe/listen what God is doing

Barnabas had the spiritual insight to recognise that God’s plan was being fulfilled at Antioch.

B. Speak words of encouragement 

If we cannot speak words of encouragement recognising, noticing what God is doing in each other's lives, it means we don't know each other well enough yet.

C. God brings increase trust/faith

Making disciples

The effect of Barnabas’ encouragement was to pour petrol on the fires of their faith and zeal.

2\. Partner with a friend, vv25-26

2 x 2 was the method of Jesus

“To look” - Word implies it was hard. 

A. Find a partner not a problem

When task overwhelming

When lonely

Take initiative, not wait for someone else

B. Someone different from you

Realisation that one reason I do not do this is because I now know people's problems!

C. Active in service together

Making/maturing disciples together.

Creates unity

3\. Provide practical help vv27-30

Successive poor harvests in various parts of the Roman Empire at this time.

Claudius, 41-54 AD

The famine was not just in Judea, but could effect the Antiochean disciples too. Their heart is to help others not to worry about their own vulnerability.

The Antiochan disciples take up money in faith that the prophecy will be fulfilled and send the money in advance of the famine so that the Judean disciples can buy up food in advance.  

That is a significant step of faith and trust (especially since the prophet had come from Jerusalem in the first place).  

A. Listen to needs

Emotional; spiritual; material

B. Respond

Initiative 

C. Sacrifice

Time/money

Conclusion

IMAGINE

Life living like this

Church like this

Impact on neighbourhood

* sPeak words of encouragement

* Partner in the Gospel

* Provide practical help

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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Barnabas is brilliant. But what is it that makes him so “effective” as a speaker (Acts 14:1)? We don’t know much about his technique, but we know a lot about his character and his spirituality. In this series we will investigate brilliant Barnabas in the book of Acts and beyond. In doing so I hope we will all gain insights which will help us to be as effective as him.

We move on today to Acts 13.4-12.

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org). 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm

mccx,Malcolm Cox,Watford,Croxley Green,teaching,preaching,spiritual disciplines,public speaking,corporate worship,Sunday Sample,Corporate Worship Matters,Tuesday Teaching Tips,Quiet Time Coaching,Coach.me,coaching,coach me,coaching near me,coach,online coaching,savior,quiet time,devotion,God,Jesus,Pray,prayer,Barnabas

Jonah

The subversive story of a rebellious prophet who hates God for loving his enemies

* Why does Jonah run?

* Why does Jonah tell the sailers to kill him?

* What was it like for Jonah in the fish’s stomach?

* Why does he not say sorry?

* What is odd about Jonah’s message?

* Why does God provide the shade and then take it away?

* In what ways is Jesus like Jonah?

* In what way is Jesus different from Jonah?

* In what ways are we like Jonah?

* How can we be more like Jesus?

Conclusion

Are you OK with the fact that God loves your enemies?

Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

God bless,

Malcolm

With many thanks to ["The Bible Project"](https://thebibleproject.com/)

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