Teaching Series: “The View from Mount Calvary”
As I read through the Scriptures, I am struck by how often the cross was pre-figured in the Old Testament, and how often the results it accomplished are presented in the New Testament. While I have preached on this subject in “bits and pieces” over the years, it was when I discovered The View from Mount Calvary by John Phillips that I realized the fullness and impact of the subject. His subtitle gives us a clue: “24 Portraits of the Cross Throughout Scripture.”
This is a powerful and persuasive way to preach the gospel of Christ, both to believers and seekers. The 24 “portraits” are divided into seven sections:
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Teaching Series: “Living the Questions in John”
I have just finished a sermon series on “The Questions of Jesus.” In the clearance section of my local Mardel’s bookstore, I found the book Living the Questions in John, a discussion guide published by Navpress. Each of the ten chapters focuses on one of the questions Jesus asks, or is asked, in the Gospel of John. While I did not find much of the material within the chapters useful for developing a lesson series, the questions themselves served as great introductions to impactful messages for my Sunday morning audience. Here are my titles, comments about each, and links to the audio of my sermon for that question.
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Welcome KJAK FM Listeners
As I write this, we are scheduled to be a guest on the “Uncle Noah and Friends” weekly radio program at 7:00 pm on KJAK FM Thursday, July 31. If you are visiting our site for the first time as a result of hearing that broadcast, welcome! Feel free to investigate our various mini-articles and keep coming back as we regularly are adding new things. My thanks and encouragement to Charles Valentine (Uncle Noah) and the Children’s Bible Study website. What a great and unique service it renders to both children and adults!
Effective Bible Study Video Preview
Enjoy this free preview of the DVD set entitled Effective Bible Study. This video has been optimized for playback on the Internet. Video quality is much higher on the DVD version of the video. This DVD set is available for sale in our store. Click here for more details.
Doing a Lesson Series in Teaching or Preaching
There are times when a single, definitive, and passionate message needs to be delivered from the pulpit for those under my care. However, the majority of the time, a series is in order. This is already true in our Bible classes where a study guide or Bible book provides weekly lessons for a quarter or more. Series provide time and opportunity to explore a book or topic in detail. All that the scriptures say on a given subject can be explored. More detail and background can be presented. The church can be led to see the cohesive nature of revelation and its grace for us. A series also gives me a structure and direction for my preaching. I usually know what I will be speaking about for weeks to come.
My practice is to preach almost entirely in series. While not entirely predictable, my general plan is to alternate studies from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and then a topical study. At least one series each year focuses specifically on Jesus - perhaps a gospel or his miracles or his divinity. A separate series is always being pursued at the Sunday evening services.
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Choosing the Viewsonic PJ551D Projector
How the video projector market has changed. Just 8 years ago I purchased a new Viewsonic projector (900 lumens / 800 x 600) for $3,100. Five years ago I replaced it with a Panasonic (1600 lumens / 1024 x 768 / smaller and lighter) purchased off eBay for $1,000; it was one year old.
In June I replaced my Panasonic with a new Viewsonic, the PJ551D. It cost $585 with free shipping from Buy.com. It included a coupon for a free extra lamp ($250 value). Here are some of the details:
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Choosing a Video Projector
When I first entered ministry in the late 1960s, “multimedia” consisted of slide projectors, overhead projectors, cassette or LP record players, and reel to reel film projectors. Today the most popular multimedia device for teaching and preaching is the video projector. In my role as technology guy for the Sunset International Bible Institute, I am frequently asked by preachers and missionaries how to get a “good deal” on a projector. Here are the general things I tell them:
- Brightness — measured in lumens, a projector needs to be bright enough to fill the screen in the auditorium or room where it will be used most often. An auditorium seating 350+ people may well need a projector with 2500 to 3000 lumens. Even then, better results are obtained by at least dimming the room lights in the area of the screen. Those traveling with their projectors often face a variety of environments. Err, if possible, on the side of more lumens, not less.
Read the rest of this entry »Internet version of e-Sword now Online
We just wrote last week about new “for pay” resources for the free e-Sword Bible software. Now comes the beginning of live.e-Sword.net, an interactive, online version of e-Sword. Still a site in its beginning stages, it seems that only one Bible version, one commentary, and one dictionary are “live” for now, but it is enough to try out and see what you think. The site also explains how to link Biblical references on your website to their site, allowing readers to click and immediately read what the appropriately linked Bible resource says. As much as we enjoy the regular version, we will be watching with great anticipation as this new online resource continues to develop! In addition, this online version makes it possible for Macintosh and Linux users to access this great resource. Thank you, Rick Meyers.
