Malcolm Cox

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” (Psalms 62:1–2 NRSV)

Class Four: “Considering what God has shown us”

24 August 2018

How to process this class series:

1\. Consider what God has shown you. What have you learned, or been reminded of?

2\. Confirm your biggest convictions. What is your resolve going forward?

3\. Clarify what questions still remain. Is anything important unclear?

Question: “What one change in your ‘quiet times’ would bring you the most joy?”

Two bonus ‘quiet time’ ideas

**Contrast Psalm 1 and Psalm 150**

Read the two Psalms and consider that life often makes this level of trust and praise hard

Read and think about these quotes from Walter Brueggemann

“..praise as glad, exuberant yielding and self-abandonment (as expressed in Psalm 150) takes place only when one comes to terms emotionally, psychologically, dramatically, and theologically with the demanding, sovereign reality of God.” Brueggemann, “Psalms”, p194

“In the end, Israel goes to the sanctuary [temple] in doxology [praise]. Israel comes there with old, unresolved complaints that still sob and ache. Israel comes there with hymns of hope and gratitude still to be fulfilled. Israel carries to God’s throne all its old, powerful memories of brutishness and envy. Israel brings with it to the sanctuary the whole Psalter, its awesome account of hurts and hopes that are voiced in God’s presence.” Brueggemann, “Psalms” p212

In what way can a ‘quiet time’ help you to reconcile what you know, by faith, about God with what you actually experience in life?

What does the example of Jesus have to say to you about this?

**Elijah’s extended ‘quiet time’, 1 King 19**

Challenging circumstances! Read chapter 18 for context.

* Honest prayer, v4

* God refreshes him, vv5-8

* Taken to right place, v8

* Rest, vv5, 9

* Expresses his viewpoint, vv10, 14

* Encounter with the presence of God, vv11-13

* Renewed mission, faith and courage, vv15ff

What do you learn about the nature of God?

What do you learn from the way Elijah related to God that could help you in your ‘quiet times’?

Thank you for listening to this podcast and watching this video.

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 me your questions or suggestions.

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

God bless,

Malcolm

Do you use congregational humming as part of your corporate worship? 

I share something we tried this last Sunday in Watford and Thames Valley.

"God is so good"

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  (Psa. 84:11 ESVi) 

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus. 3:4–7 ESVi)

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

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/.

God bless,

Malcolm

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Ps 100:2

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV11)

1\. Remember - it's a prompt, not a to do list

* Review every Saturday

* Put in diary, so don't forget

* Pray for people at least once a week

* Helps me keep my promises to pray for people

2\. Pause before each person

3\. Bring them to mind, picture them in your imagination

Please leave a comment, pass the link on and subscribe.

What question would you like to see answered?

God bless, Malcolm

I got stuck too long in my introduction last Friday. Here are three resolutions for my next lesson. What do you do to make sure you don't get stuck on the launch pad?

Thank you for watching 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].

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/.

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

God bless,

Malcolm

Teaching, preaching, lessons, mccx, malcolmcox.org, sermons, sermon preparation, Watford, Jesus, tvcoc, communication, Watford church of Christ, Thames Valley churches of Christ, introduction

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” (Psalms 62:1–2 NRSV)

Sometimes the most basic things in the Christian life suffer. Either because we forget their significance, or we lose inspiration. This class series is designed to refresh our desire for a daily focused time with God - something that is often called a "quiet time".

The handouts and slides for the third class are attached [here](http://tvcoc.org/tvcoc-sermons/for-god-alone-class-3/).

If you have any questions about quiet times in general or about the class material in particular, please drop me a line.

I hope you find this a blessing.

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 the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. 

Thanks again for watching. Have a super day.

I give a report on the intentional use of silence in our services this last Sunday in Watford and Thames Valley.

Thank you for listening to and watching this recording. You can find more Sunday Samples here and on the YouTube [playlist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHN6A5igxk&list=PLssKYNRlLIE9Rm6u8Vr9152VZwX0uL7Ab).

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: www.malcolmcox.org.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Ps 100:2

God bless,

Malcolm

Something different today - an article (click [here](http://www.malcolmcox.org/making-the-most-of-resources/) for the full blog article and resources) - by my good friend Dr Andy Boakye on making the most of resources in helping us to have enriching quiet times. I hope you enjoy it as much as me.

You can purchase Andy's book, "Death and Life: Resurrection, restoration and rectification in Paul's letter to the Galatians", [here](http://amzn.eu/2SdrWgd).

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: www.malcolmcox.org.

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

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up [here](https://www.coach.me/mccx). 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: "[An elephant's swimming pool](https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg)", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

I tried something this last Sunday I've never tried before. I used a children's story [book](http://amzn.eu/fBVO7QC) as part the sermon for adults.

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: www.malcolmcox.org.

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

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up [here](https://www.coach.me/mccx). 

PPS: You might also be interested in my [book](https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg): "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

Have you ever fought a dragon? I expect you have. We all have our 'dragons' to battle. 

But how do we know when a dragon is in our way? And, how do we fight it? Is it worth the effort? Are there any rewards? 

Oh, yes! Every dragon is hoarding treasure that's rightfully yours. We take a look at an example of Jesus slaying a 'dragon' with his disciples in Mark 9.30-37.

The slides are available [here](http://www.malcolmcox.org/how-to-steal-a-dragons-treasure-mark-9-30-37/).

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 the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the [email]([email protected]).

Thanks again for watching. Have a super day.

God, tvcoc, Jesus, discipleship, love, faith, trust, disciples, joy, spiritual growth, Gospel of Mark, grace, perseverance, reward, disciples, relationships, dragons, courage, faith, humility, pride

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” (Psalms 62:1–2 NRSV)

Sometimes the most basic things in the Christian life suffer. Either because we forget their significance, or we lose inspiration. This class series is designed to refresh our desire for a daily focused time with God - something that is often called a "quiet time".

The handouts and slides for the second class are attached on my [site](http://www.malcolmcox.org/for-god-alone-class-2/).

If you have any questions about quiet times in general or about the class material in particular, please drop me a line.

I hope you find this a blessing.

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 the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

God, tvcoc, Jesus, discipleship, love, faith, trust, disciples, joy, spiritual growth, Daniel, Gospel of Mark, Acts of the Apostles, Apostle Peter, 2 Samuel, David, grace, perseverance, reward, spiritual disciplines, devotions, devotionals