Recently I heard two lessons which contained lots of good truth, but lacked clarity. My own sermons have often been guilty of the same flaw.

Mark Kermode mentioned a film that had lots of good ideas. He admired those ideas but they didn’t form a coherent whole. Therefore the film lacked focus – it was confusing.

Rather like a film or TV show which has so many characters you struggle to remember names and who they all are.

I experienced this when watching “Avengers Endgame”. So many characters! Not a problem if you are already invested (like my son), but not if you are new to the franchise. Our new-to-the-faith listeners need less information well delivered.

Interesting that Jesus’s lessons seem to be so clearly focused on one particular idea: note the parables.

How do we decide that central theme?

Intersection of three things:

  1. Pastoral needs
  2. Prayer
  3. Passage

What do you do to focus in on one theme?

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

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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.

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

God bless,

Malcolm