Malcolm Cox

Teaching Tip 355 | “Plain Speaking - your speaking notes” | 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.  Different philosophies exist about the value or otherwise of using notes when you speak. What does Bercot think? He follows this process: Type up a detailed sermon outline Print it off and read it through making sure it makes sense Highlight key points (words) of the message Type a new version of the message using only the highlighted points His goal is to get to the point where he doesn't need his notes. This is called extemporaneous speaking. Advantages of this approach include: Better engagement with the congregation because we are not tied to our notes Better connection with the congregation because it's more like a conversation Better conviction in speaking because the points have been embedded in our mind and heart What are your thoughts on his approach? What is your me

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 511 | New Creation Series — Part 3 | “What is a Spiritual Life” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on the topic of ‘A new creation’. QUESTION: What is a 'spiritual life'? A 'with-God' life that effects an on-going transformation towards Christ-likeness through the power of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.18 “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” How do we live this? God's vision - Jesus' example and inspiration - the Spirit's strength. God's vision Genesis 3.8-9 “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”” Revelation 21.2-3 “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming

A New Creation, Matthew 20.29-37 —  New Sight Introduction What is the question? Who does God accept? Rich law-keepers? Ethnic Israel? Leaders? Associates? What is revealed? About God? About Jesus? About following Jesus? “As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.”  Matt 20.29-34 Ch20 overview and themes 1-16: parable of the labourers -- the last shall be first and the first shall be last 17-19: prediction of his death and resurrection 20-23: Mother of James and John requests special treatment (one

Teaching Tip 354 | “Plain Speaking - rousing introductions and conclusions” | 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.  "The introduction and conclusion of your sermon are like the appetiser and dessert of a meal.” Although a starter and a pudding are optional, they certainly add something special to a meal! A good introduction needs to accomplish two purposes according to Bercot: Capture your hearer’s interest -  Let your hearers know the subject of your message -  “The introduction should provide listeners with a reason to listen. Your introduction should raise the question you are going to answer, create the tension you are going to resolve, or point to the mystery you are going to solve.” Andy Stanley, ‘Communicating for a change’ A helpful conclusion accomplishes two things according to Bercot: Provide a brief summary of what has been said -  Stir your listeners to acti

In this class we explore the way Jesus models the new creation life. He is interruptible for the sake of those who need his help. Matthew 20. 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

A New Creation, 2 Co 5.17 Introduction Lessons from 'a new thing’ - Isaiah 43.19 Abraham: The promises of God (doing things his way) create a legacy far exceeding anything we can achieve by our own efforts Rahab: When you get an inkling of God's movements, follow along and fit in, even though it might mean you lose your house! Elijah: Get refreshed by God - don't give up Daniel: Impact in a culture opposed to your faith Esther: Don't underestimate the impact one person can have (with support) Nehemiah: Blessed are those who mourn Peter: Jesus has vision for flawed followers  Samaritan woman: Jesus transforms our future 2 Cor 5.16-17 - what does this mean? Also Galatians 6.15 1. God Recreates Creation, Rev 21:1-5 A. God has a master-plan Creation-Fall-Covenant-Law-Messiah-New Covenant-New 'Law' (new command, 'but I say')-New Creation (new people)-New Heaven and Earth B. God has an inspiring vision “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea

AIM UK & Ireland Spiritual Life Module “The spiritual life is not a life of laws and precepts but a life of participation, affection and love, a life mingled and mixing with God.” William Law Description The Bible places far more emphasis on who we are inside than how we behave or appear to others. We have all seen too many people we know fall, not rebounding but remaining fallen, due to a weak walk with the Lord–while others continue to go forward to do great things despite formidable obstacles.  Are you looking to strengthen your relationship with God and deepen your understanding of Christian spirituality? Look no further than the AIM Spiritual Life Course, an in-person and online course designed to enhance and guide your spiritual journey. The course covers character, sexual issues, financial responsibility, spiritual disciplines such as fasting, prayer, meditation, scripture, devotional reading, and so much more—the secret of mirroring Christ’s character: the inner spiritual life. Teachers inc

 Teaching Tip 353 | “Plain Speaking - organising and sculpturing your material” | 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.  “If you want to be an effective speaker, you have to organise your material. Otherwise, your listeners won't be able to follow where you're going... If it isn't organised it will…sound to the congregation as if you're just rambling.” 52 Two steps are necessary according to Bercot: Organise your material into three parts: An introduction, a middle and an end.  Review your material and divide into main points and minor points that support the main ones: Throw away anything that is not relevant. It's what writers call, "killing your darlings". Can you insert ‘therefore’, or, ‘and’ between your points and it make sense? The diamond shape can be a useful model. Bercot uses the illustration of making a sculpture. At the beginning a sculptor has a block of material and hi

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 509 | New Creation Series — Part 1 | “Jesus is the Firstborn” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this new series on the topic of ‘A new creation’ following our previous focus on ‘A new thing’.  We are moving from the Old Testament to the New and exploring what it means that there is a new creation. Our key text is:  “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV) How did this new creation come into being?  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come

 Andrew Agerbak was our visiting speaker on the 3rd of March. He shared five points from the life of Joseph illustrating the way in which his faith enabled him to continue to grow and be open to God doing a new thing in his life. 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

Teaching Tip 352 | “Plain Speaking - Illustrations make a sermon memorable” | 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.  Illustrations are important for three reasons according to Bercot: They help your listeners to understand - they gave your listeners an ‘a-ha!’ moment.  They engage your listeners - it's like adding flavouring to a meal. Chilli, salt, pepper….. They aid your hearers to remember what you said - illustrations linger long in the memory after the facts have been forgotten and link the facts back to your mind. I still remember illustrations I heard used nearly 40 years ago. DA, 84/85 -Rom 12.1, living sacrifice - “The trouble with living sacrifices is that they tend to squirm off the altar.” Did Jesus use illustrations? Did he ever! He employed illustrations from contemporary events, nature, story (parable), kinetic aids such as small children and much more.  One fi

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 508 | New Thing Series — Part 63 | “A New Creation” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' Today we wrap up this series by reviewing the topic of a new thing and looking forward. In this series we have explored God doing a new thing in the lives of Abraham, Esther, Daniel, Elijah & Elisha, Nehemiah, Peter and the Samaritan woman. We could have picked scores of other men and women in both testaments. Despite all the problems, sins and failings, God always has something new in store for us. "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 The story of God with his people is the story of new beginnings, new life, and new creation. "T

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 507 | New Thing Series — Part 62 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Impact” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. Today we explore her impact. “Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.” (John 4:28-30 NRSV) “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 506 | New Thing Series — Part 61 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Past” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. Today we explore her past.  “Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet.” (John 4:16-20 NRSV) The Samaritan Woman’s Past Jesus digs into her past by starting with her present situation She does not bring up her past, Jesus does Even when he references her current situation sh

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 505 | New Thing Series — Part 60 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Demand” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. Today we explore her demand. “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will neve

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 504 | New Thing Series — Part 59 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Response” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. Today we explore her response. “A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)” (John 4:7-9 NRSV) The Samaritan Woman’s Response She finds it surprising that Jesus wants to talk to her She is aware of the cultural, religious and historical barrier She is aware of the gender barrier She makes a choice to respond to

Introduction Do you like a new start?- Feels good when we've been stuck- True for people -- true for groups The desire for hope leads people to make good choices  Making a fresh start involves courage, hope, faith, risk What can we learn from this story to help us make good choices when a new start opportunity comes our way? Question: How did Jews and Samaritans feel about one another? Question: Modern examples?  Point: They were stuck in animosity. The new thing Jesus does with the woman is prophetic of what he will do with and for all people after Pentecost. Discussion Q: Her current situation? Q: What changes as a result of her encounter with Jesus? She sees through His parables and glimpses the truth behind His words when so many others, including Jewish experts and scholars, could not. Nic - 'you are Israel's teacher...' Q: What are we to learn from this encounter? About Jesus? He makes the uncomfortable comfortable Talks to her as an equal Loves all What change in our thinking is required? Belie

Teaching Tip 351 | “Plain Speaking - building your sermon” | 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.  “These steps are flexible and can be adapted to your own preferences. But to be an effective speaker, you will want to follow some plan." Page 37 Six steps according to Bercot: Praying for guidance - including listening. Why are we afraid of silence? “Silence gave me space to remember that my most urgent spiritual questions are not necessarily the ones that will endure.” Tish Warren, ‘Prayer in the Night’ Researching - reference tools (bestcommentaries.com  / accordancebible.com ) Reflecting and brainstorming - what else is important to explore regarding this topic? Water at the well - Bible’s story regarding water, other scriptures about ‘living water’. Illustrating my topic - more on that next week Organising - more on that in an upcoming episode Sculpturing - more on that in anot

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 503 | New Thing Series — Part 58 | “Jesus’ Humanity” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. But first we explore Jesus’ humanity. “…he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.)” (John 4:5-8 NRSV) Jesus’ Humanity Jesus is tired His muscles and joints are tired He is hot He is hungry He is thirsty He needs help For Reflection It is possible to forget that Jesu

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 502 | New Thing Series — Part 57 | “Peter’s Breakfast - Part 2” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s breakfast.  “He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind