The Great Commission Approach to Scripture
…Teaching them to obey all I have commanded you…
When I study Scripture on my own or listen to teaching and preaching, I should approach it with the whole Great Commission in mind. That means being willing to take what I'm discovering, wanting the content, learning the meaning, living the principles, and guiding others to live it, too. Teaching others to obey requires all of these steps. If others aren't learning to obey Jesus from me, I've short-circuited the Great Commission somewhere along the way. The same applies to you. Here's a brief summary of these steps.
Be a Pupil: Want It
As I approach this passage, how is my desire to learn? How is my willingness? Do I want to learn God’s will, right now, today?
Be an Expert: Learn It
What is the key truth I need to learn from this passage? Do I have it down cold? Do I really know what it means? Can I reproduce it and explain it?
Be a Practitioner: Live It
How can I obey or live by this passage? What must I do to conform my life to God’s will as described in this passage? How is God wanting to transform me with this Scripture?
Be a Promoter: Teach It
How can I guide someone else toward obedience and living by this passage?
My goal in studying Scripture or listening to preaching should be...
1) Wanting It
2) Learning It
3) Living It
4) Teaching It
The Matthew Series of sermons in the archive follows this pattern in preaching through the book of Matthew.
The sermon "Keeping the Commission Going" addresses these steps and concepts in further detail. It is available with listening guides and an audio recording here.
Be a Pupil: Want It
As I approach this passage, how is my desire to learn? How is my willingness? Do I want to learn God’s will, right now, today?
Be an Expert: Learn It
What is the key truth I need to learn from this passage? Do I have it down cold? Do I really know what it means? Can I reproduce it and explain it?
Be a Practitioner: Live It
How can I obey or live by this passage? What must I do to conform my life to God’s will as described in this passage? How is God wanting to transform me with this Scripture?
Be a Promoter: Teach It
How can I guide someone else toward obedience and living by this passage?
My goal in studying Scripture or listening to preaching should be...
1) Wanting It
2) Learning It
3) Living It
4) Teaching It
The Matthew Series of sermons in the archive follows this pattern in preaching through the book of Matthew.
The sermon "Keeping the Commission Going" addresses these steps and concepts in further detail. It is available with listening guides and an audio recording here.