Malcolm Cox

Introduction

A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, the connection between being a new creation and change.  How do we change?
Before we can talk about change, we have to ask a question. Do we believe we can change? Do you believe you can change?
You might like to pause this recording and discuss this with your friends before going on.

1. God is the change-agent
“…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV)
We are in an ongoing, life-long process of change. The glory we grow into is from the Lord, the Spirit. Spiritual change is challenging, but it is not all about us. God empowers the change, our part is to cooperate with him. If we fully accept that God is the change-agent, then we will have no difficulty believing that we can change.
So, God changes us, but what is the goal?

2. Change goal
Is the goal transformation? Yes, but, what is the point of that transformation? What are we aiming at? 
“…the goal of Christian spiritual formation is intimate, loving connection and relationship with the Trinity." The outcome of that is transformation. 

John 17.3
““This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

This understanding is important because if we aim too hard at transformation will become a slave to our growth and change hopes. In other words transformation could become an idol. Instead, we understand that the goal is a deep relationship with God, and we anticipate transformation, growth and change. 
So, the goal is God, but how does this happen?

3. Jesus the transformer
Jesus was skilled and powerful at helping people be transformed. 
* Take Peter.....from indisciplined mouth to effective preacher/teacher. 
* Woman at the well. One encounter took her from shame-ridden outcast to greatest evangelist of her community.
* Zacchaeus - corrupt thief to generous benefactor.
* James & John - sons of thunder, restless, selfish ambition, harsh. Later, James was first disciple martyr, and John became the Apostle of love. 
What happened? They all encountered Jesus in a way that freed them from remaining stuck where they were, as they were. That same hope for change is available today. 
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8.36
Valuing spiritual formation takes this promise seriously. We can learn to love and live well.
"I dream of a day when spiritual formation has so saturated all who follow hard after Jesus that they become known to all as experts in how to live well. How to love a spouse well. How to raise children well. How to study well. How to face adversity well. How to run business and financial institutions well. How to form community life well. How to reach out to those on the margins well. And even how to die well." Richard Foster

For reflection
* In which area of spiritual growth do you sense God prompting you, and how can you cooperate with him?
* How can you make sure your goal is a deep relationship with God, not the change that comes from him?
* What does it mean to you that Jesus has come to set you free? Is it more than sin? If so, what does that look like?
* How do you see Jesus transforming you and your friends today? What makes that more likely to happen?

Next time we will go on to look at another aspect of change, focusing on how our relationship with Jesus is the key.

Your brother, Malcolm

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, or practical? Could you 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, and leave a review.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.

Introduction 

Here is your 2-minute tip based on the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 

"Bloopers and memory lapses are no big deal...you can conquer the fear they've held over you." 

Bercot offers the following advice. 

Own Up
If something minor goes wrong, don't draw attention to it. Otherwise the congregation will be unnecessarily distracted. Not so long ago I didn't have the page numbers printed on my sermon notes. I got the pages in a muddle. Rather than draw attention to the fact, I paused for a few moments to sort them out. I doubt anybody noticed.However, if it's obvious to everyone, acknowledge it. When you're having a conversation with a friend and your mind suddenly goes blank and you say, "I've completely forgotten what I was going to say next!", everyone laughs and no one thinks it's a big deal. If something like that happens when you are delivering a lesson, simply tell the congregation. Have a laugh together, and it will help your congregation to believe you are human. It can be bonding rather than problematic.

 2. Plan ahead
If you are especially nervous about the lesson, plan what to do if you get tongue-tied. Have a relevant Scripture, quote, or the lyrics of a hymn to hand. If your mind goes blank you can invite someone to read them, giving yourself a few moments to clear your head.

What are your thoughts on the ideas Bercot raises?

Conclusion
Next time, we will explore reading Scriptures with zest!

Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.

Remember to keep calm and carry on teaching.

Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.

Contact us here with enquiries: [email protected] 

The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com 
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, or 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, and leave a review. 

Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.
 
God bless, Malcolm
 

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. 

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

God bless, Malcolm

Embracing the Lord's Supper as a Joyful and Communal Event

Luke 15.23
“Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.”

Part 2: Let's have a feast and celebrate

• Hand out capsules at start

Introduction

QUESTION: What is the Lord's Supper?

QUESTION: Why do we do it? What is it for?

1. What Did Jesus Do and Expect His Followers to Do, and Why?

Luke 22.19-20
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

Why - in remembrance of me

What remembering? His servant, sacrificial heart. His acceptance. His love.

2. What Did the Early Church Do and Why?

3. Traditions Around the Lord's Supper

4. Conclusions for Us Here and Now

Five key issues

It is about Jesus: Remembering Him is the primary purpose.

It is a community meal: We gather together as a family of faith.

We feast on Christ—together: It strengthens our community unity.

‘Unworthy’ is not about sin per se: It's about treating each other with Christ-like love. Strictly speaking, no one is 'worthy'!

Not about the elements or the rituals: Focus on Jesus and community.
Conclusion

As we conclude, let’s take time to pray, reflect, and sing. Let's prepare our hearts before we take the bread and wine, remembering the love and sacrifice of Jesus and the unity we share in Him.

Prayer

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. 

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

God bless, Malcolm

Introduction 

A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, one model that may help us understand how God changes us. 

In previous episodes we have explored the nature of spiritual growth - that it is both practical and mystical. This week we take a look at a model of spiritual growth put forward by Dallas Willard - something he called, "The golden triangle of spiritual growth". 

By the way, before we go on, both he and I would be appalled if the model came across as a formula. 

Centred in the mind of Christ
 

God's power is what transforms us, not just the way we think.

3. Ordinary events of daily life
We are talking especially about the hard stuff. God shapes us through the nitty-gritty of daily life.

Philippians 3.10
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Therefore, although we may mourn our painful experiences, we must look for the valuable growth opportunities they contain.

4. Planned discipline to put on a new heart
 
What are these disciplines? They are practices such as fasting, prayer, solitude, fellowship, worship, silence, and whatever helps us consciously invite God to transform us more into the likeness of Christ.

Spiritual discipline tools open us up to God's grace. In themselves they do nothing. However, when added to the ordinary events of daily life, the transformational activity of the Spirit, and the mind of Christ, they are powerful channels for God's work.

More on this in the following episodes 
 
Conclusion
Spiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work.

For reflection
 

Next time we will go on to look at another model of spiritual transformation.
 
Your brother, Malcolm
 
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, or practical? Could you 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, and leave a review.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 

Teaching Tip 364 | “Plain Speaking - how to handle speaker’s fright” | Malcolm Cox 


Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 



An old survey claimed that people fear speaking in public more than they fear death. That claim has been debunked, but it resonates because talking in front of other people is one of the very most exposed places to be. We are vulnerable. What do we do when our insecurities take hold? In short, we do not attempt to overcome it, but to use it to our advantage. Bercot offers five steps.

Pray about it. Talk to God about you feelings, ask him to be with you experientially in this next lesson, and trust his strength will be available (Nehemiah 2:4-5). 

Focus on your listeners.  Do not follow the terrible advice to imagine your audience naked! That’s distracting in the extreme. Instead, remember they are your brothers and sisters, and they have turned up because they want to hear from you (at least—most of them!). 

Prepare Thoroughly.  If you know that you know your topic, you can know you have something meaningful to say. “Thorough preparation and the confidence that derives from it squelches fear.” 103 

Speak Extemporaneously.  You can use notes without being chained to them. Look up, engage with the people present, and see your notes as a support, not the substance of your lesson. You will speak with greater freedom and joy.

Use Speaker’s Fright. Use the increased adrenaline to sharpen your thinking and delivery.

There is a sixth step, but we will go on that in the next episode.


What are your thoughts on the five techniques Bercot raises? 


Conclusion

Next time, we will learn the secret to handling bloopers and memory lapses.


Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.


Remember to keep calm and carry on teaching.


Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.


Contact us here with enquiries: [email protected]  


The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com  


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, or 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, and leave a review. 


Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.


God bless, Malcolm

Our annual international Sunday was a blast! Wonderful international food, singing in different languages and much more. As part of the service we heard Joshua tell us his testimony and Malcolm spoke on how we find freedom in the peace of Christ.

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. 

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

God bless, Malcolm

I have been asked why we charge for AIM. It's a reasonable question and deserves an explanation.

1. Expenses: costs of admin; AIM US subscription; Travel and accommodation costs for speakers; venue hire; printing etc.

2. Para-church attendance: It would not be fair on one church to foot the bill when people attend from many different churches

Conclusion
Money should never be a reason for someone to not take the course. By discussing any financial challenges with us and the local congregation, we can always find a way to make the course affordable. In our opinion it would be reasonable for local churches to pay all or part of the fees for students coming from their congregations because of the immense benefit of having members Biblically well-educated.

Your brother, Malcolm

[email protected]
https://aimukandireland.com/

Introduction
Last week we explored the nature of spiritual growth. That it is empowered by God, aimed at Christlikeness and enabled by Jesus.
“[We]…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV)
This week we will take the last point further and look at some key principles of spiritual change.

Spiritual growth is:

1. Both practical and mystical
Our main avenue for spiritual growth is to walk with Jesus as one of his followers - just like they did when Jesus was on this earth. On one level, simply saying 'yes' to Jesus' offer of friendship is all that is needed. As someone said, ‘Proximity makes disciples’.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV11)

In addition, we grow as we cooperate with the Spirit, which is a mystical enterprise.
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:8 NIV11)

2. Both quick and slow

Sometimes growth comes in a flash.
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism” (Acts 10:34 NIV11)

More often, growth is slow and meandering.
"Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" John 11:16 (NIV)
"Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'" John 14:5 (NIV)
'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.' A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' John 20.24-29

3. Both personal and corporate

Your journey is unique. Don’t compare yourself to other people, only to your past self. Relationship is more art than science - not engineering.
“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”” (John 21:21-23 NRSV)

Your growth is personal, but not private
“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 NRSV)

Conclusion
Spiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work.

For reflection
* Which points do you find yourself most comfortable with and why—practical, mystical, quick, slow, personal, corporate?
* How have you seen God work for your transformation so far?
* Do you find it easy or hard to open yourself up to God doing his work?
* What will help you most to cooperate with God’s work in your life?

Next time we will go on to look at another aspect of change, focusing on models of transformation.

Your brother, Malcolm

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, or practical? Could you 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, and leave a review.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Teaching Tip 363 | “Plain Speaking - landing your plane on time” | Malcolm Cox 


Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 



“Your message may be nearly perfect in every other respect, but if you preach longer than you are supposed to, you can quickly lose the good will of your listeners.” 95


Bercot offers us four steps for us to take to ensure we land on time.

Fit the topic to the time. How much time is allocated to your lesson? Will the topic fit that time? If your lesson is 10  minutes long, do not try to explain deep and complex passages of Scripture or Biblical issues. 

Whittle to fit.  When you have your material selected ruthlessly cut out anything that is not absolutely necessary to the topic. You can always come back to the text or the subject another time and fill in anything you missed first time around.  

Keep track as you go.  Have a clock or time where you can see it. The best place is on the wall at the opposite end of the room. Looking at your watch distracts your listeners, and it might send the message that you are in a hurry to leave! 

Flexible outline.  You cannot always control events. Perhaps the service has to be altered at the last moment, and you suddenly have less time than you thought. Do yourself a favour and mark sections you can skip in advance. An asterisk, red mark or highlighter will do the trick. 

One last thought. If you have said all there is to say, and you have not filled your time, do feel obliged to keep going. Stop, sit down or offer an opportunity for group discussion, sharing or Q&A. No one will begrudge you an early end.


What are your thoughts on the four ideas Bercot raises? 


Conclusion

Next time, we will explore how to handle speaker’s fright.


Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.


Remember to keep calm and carry on teaching.


Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.


Contact us here with enquiries: [email protected]  


The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com  


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, or 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, and leave a review. 


Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.


God bless, Malcolm