Malcolm Cox

5th Commandment: Great learning is more important than great teaching. Introduction Our preaching and teaching will never be perfect. But can we be effective? That’s a noble aim. “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) Point of clarification Jesus was a master-teacher....

At the time of releasing this recording I shall be on my annual spiritual retreat. This is the second of three episodes on the value of taking a spiritual retreat and some tips to make such a retreat as meaningful as possible. Some of the following ideas come from my experience, and also a book called ‘Wilderness Time: A guide for spiritual retreat’ by Emily Griffin. Today I will focus on planning...

Tuesday Teaching Tip 319 | The Ten Commandments of Effective Teaching and Preaching | Malcolm Cox 4th Commandment: Respect the time Introduction Our preaching and teaching will never be perfect. But can we be effective? That’s a noble aim.  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts...

Today's passages are: 1 Peter 3.1-7; Titus 2.1-5; Ephesians 5.21-33; Colossians 3.18-19; Galatians 3.26-29; Romans 16.1-2; Romans 16.7 For the notes, go to this address for the pdf: https://www.malcolmcox.org/men-and-women-in-christ-1-peter-37-and-other-scriptures-malcolm-cox/ Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about tea...

This time next week I shall be on my annual spiritual retreat. I'm going back to the same place I went for last two years. A tiny cabin in the woods in the county of Hampshire in the south of England. This is the first of three episodes on the value of taking a spiritual retreat and some tips to make such a retreat as meaningful as possible. Some of the following ideas come from my experience, and...

Introduction - Healthy unity depends on two things — truthfulness and grace in Christian relationships. An overemphasis on truth leads to a culture of judgment. An overemphasis on grace leads to a culture of sentimentalism. - Jesus came ‘…full of grace and truth.‘ John 1:14. Our congregations will be healthily unified if we imitate him and develop a culture of truth-speaking and grace-giving. - -...

Introduction Our preaching and teaching will never be perfect. But can we be effective? That’s a noble aim. “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) Point of clarification These tips are not about becoming an entertainer or performer. They are aids to help your hearers...

Introduction   Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together.    The Text   “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the...

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ Dr Douglas Jacoby was our visiting speaker. He helped us explore the story of Ruth - and unlocked some deeper meanings most may have missed.  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...

2nd Commandment: Proper Planning and Preparation Prevent Poor Performance. Introduction Our preaching and teaching will never be perfect. But can we be effective? That’s a noble aim.  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) Point of conviction Preparation does not begi...

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple...

This is a very Thames Valley specific class series, but the principles will apply elsewhere. Nothing is broken, but that does not mean we should not strengthen what we have because greater strain is coming in the future. When unity is unattended to, it does become weaker. These classes will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity. If you have not listened to the sermon from a r...

1. Lydia, 16.13-15, 40 A. Lydia’s Background Geography - Lydia’s origins Murex 10,000 snails = 1.4g dye 1 piece of clothing Restricted who and where could be worn Philippian river B. What do we know about Lydia? 16.13-15, 40 C. Why is Lydia named? Only one in Acts 16 Phil 4.2-3: “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion...

Introduction We all wish to be like Paul and Barnabas:  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) This series aims to help us in our effectiveness. Today we tackle the first ‘commandment’. Know thy content, backward and forward, for your students’ respect and attention b...

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple...

Introduction Do you ever wonder if your teaching is effective? Do you sometimes sense your preaching might not have the impact you had hoped? If so, you are like 99% of the speakers I know. The other 1% are deluded.  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) While it is...

In the latest of our teaching classes on tricky passages about men and women, we explored 1 Timothy 2 verses 8 to 15. A PDF of my notes is available on the website. 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...

In this sermon for the Thames Valley churches of Christ, we explore the significance of unity to Jesus and our part in it.  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...

Stefan Wolmarans continues a series of men and women in the Bible with an insightful sermon about Jesus and his mother. 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@mal...

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple...

Introduction This is a very Thames Valley specific class series, but the principles will apply elsewhere. Nothing is broken, but that does not mean we should not strengthen what we have because greater strain is coming in the future. When unity is unattended to, it does become weaker. These classes will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity. If you have not listened to the se...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we wrap up our series. Let’s start today with this quote from Desmond Tutu: "The Beatitudes offer a transformative vision for humanity. They inspire us to be peacemakers, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to cul...

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the eighth beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 NIV11) It's interesting that the warning about persecution follows...

QUESTION : What does it mean to ‘follow’ someone today? 1. Women Following Jesus, Lk 8; Mk 15; Lk 23 “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chu...