Teaching Tip 345 | “Plain Speaking - Don’t settle for mediocrity” | Malcolm Cox

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

• Too much preaching and teaching is mediocre. A travesty!
• The Holy Spirit is not a limitation on your effectiveness as a speaker - he is an unlimited resource
• More likely, your lack of passion is the problem. We need to find the fire. How do we grow in our desire to speak about God for the benefit of other people?

Five things can help us according to Bercot:

1. Understanding the privilege.“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors...” 2 Corinthians 5:20
2. Understand the responsibility. If we do not speak — who will? It might be those who speak in error, from false motives or for personal gain.
3. Understand the impact. Lives are changed by the Word of God, but it must be spoken for people to hear it, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17
4. Understand the support. “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:10-11
5. Understand the value of training. In Matthew 10:8 Jesus sends his followers out to proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heavena has come near’. He gives them instruction before they set out, and provides feedback once they return.

When we understand the privilege, the responsibility and the impact, the support and the value of training our desire the preach and teach will grow. We will never settle for mediocrity.

Conclusion
What helps your desire the speaker?

What resources of inspiration could you access?

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

Next week: Anyone can learn to speak effectively

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Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm