Malcolm Cox

Introduction This is the first of two classes reflecting on the significance of the witnesses to the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week's class will focus on the witnesses to the crucifixion and burial. Who was at the cross? * Women: Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James and Joseph; the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Salome; 'many other Galilean women'; the sister o...

Tuesday Teaching Tip 305 | The Beatitudes and Effective Communication: Lessons for Preachers and Teachers | “Class 1: An Introduction” | Malcolm Cox 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? My father runs a Bible study group during Lent. This year, it was focused on th...

Introduction We celebrate Palm Sunday in a few days. It is one of only a few incidents recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12). I have mulled over which text to use for the Sunday lesson, finally settling on the account in Luke 19. I have chosen this one because it contains the blend and contrast of extravagant full-voiced praise, and the embracing of the tragic. Je...

This Sunday, we concluded the series on the 1 Thessalonians by summarising its major themes. We began by sharing with one another lessons that God has taught us through the book. I have done my best to turn up the volume, and I hope you can hear the inspiring and insightful comments by members of the Watford church. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in comm...

Last Sunday we wrapped up our series on 1 Thessalonians. We learned together. How? Do we want to know what people know and are thinking? A preacher and teacher is tasked with creating a learning community - not simply preaching and teaching Ask questions  In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" and then follows up with the more personal question, "But...

In this lesson on the last few verses of 1 Thessalonians we explore the way in which grace helps the community to function in a way that honours God. 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@malc...

Introduction Why do we pray together with other Christians? Let’s take a look at a classic passage about praying together ““Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where t...

In this podcast, I explore the benefits of praying with others. We start by discussing why we less frequently speak about praying together despite valuing and practicing prayer. Matthew 18:18-20 is our starting point, where Jesus expects us to pray together and offers inspiration as to why it is important. ““Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loo...

Last Sunday: Family bereavement Plenty of study, not enough time for prep on the presentation One of my better lessons - at least in the way it was received. Trust the text: Know it thoroughly. Study well in advance. It has power in itself. Trust God: How much do I trust God? Prayer was more important on Sunday morning than technical preparation. Trust congregation: How much do I trust the congreg...

These are my occasional unedited reflections on the death of my mother. Today, I share some thoughts on the recent death of my father-in-law, John, Bartley. I am exceedingly sad over to death, but the abiding feeling in my heart, is one of deep gratitude. 

A few thoughts I shared with the Watford church as a result of attending the Teleios conference in Oklahoma. 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...

1. What will happen to Christians living and dead? 4:14-18  QUESTION: What comes to your mind when we talk about the second coming of Jesus? A. Sequence Jesus comes back victorious The ‘sleepers’ resurrect  They and anyone alive at the time join Jesus in eternal life B. Everyone will notice ‘One word of command, one shout from the archangel, one blast from the trumpet of God and the Lord himself w...

Are we learning from our compliments to help us continue to grow? I share an experience I had this last Sunday. Straight-talking “What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”” (John 7:36 NIV11) Questions “When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings...

Our friend Douglas Jacoby was the visiting Speaker on the 5th of March 2023. He spoke on the Lord's prayer from Matthew 6:9–13. We hope you find this recording to be a blessing. You can find more materials on our YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj9Qa8D9zumJZdoAtARDUww ) and website ( https://watfordchurchofchrist.org ). Most Sundays we gather at the West Watford Free church, 10:...

Why do we pray together with other Christians? This week, I recorded the first of two classes on praying together. We looked at the praying church and the expectation that Jesus had of his disciples praying together. You can find it here ( https://youtu.be/20-iUjHSlMw ) and here ( https://audioboom.com/posts/8259191 ). So today, I ask, what prevents us from praying together more often? Is it pride...

Class 1: Praying Together Introduction In this class and the one to follow, we will examine what the Scriptures teach about praying together. Why not make this month of March one where you focus on praying with other believers? 1. The early church prayed together.     * “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.     * W...

Introduction I posted a poll on my Youtube channel. Here are the results:From what we can tell in New Testament times, church services did not have a uniform structure. However, they shared some characteristics.  Sing/Pray together (verbally expressed worship) Eat together (Lord’s Supper) Learn together (God’s Word) Fellowship together Many other things are legitimate in our congregational gatheri...

A summary of my five main convictions on returning from the conference in Oklahoma. 1. Culture 2. Trauma 3. Jesus 4. Mentoring 5. Leadership You can watch live and recorded sessions of the conference by registering here: https://www.teleiosconference.com Leave a message with your response to my thoughts. Why not sign up for the Old Testament Survey module: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/old-testam...

A Watford church of Christ lesson on God's love for the vulnerable and our part in loving those who need his care. 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@malcolmc...

My thoughts on the second day of the Teleios conference.  The sessions I attended were: David Kinnaman: “The Open Generation” Nadine Templer: “Gen Z and their view of the Gospel” Hannah Desouza; “Gen Z: the Next Forty Years” Kyle Spears: “Gen Z and the The Role of Community” You can watch live and recorded sessions by registering here: https://www.teleiosconference.com Leave a message with your re...

My thoughts on the excellent opening speech at the Teleios conference. Dr. Dan Rodrigues was the speaker, and his topic was, “Gen Z and Cultural Intelligence”.  You can watch live and recorded sessions by registering here: https://www.teleiosconference.com Leave a message with your response to my thoughts. God bless, Malcolm

My thoughts on the final day of the Teleios conference.  The main talk was by Dr. Amy McLaughlin-Sheasby, and her theme was, “Picking up the pieces: Cultivating hope in a traumatized age” You can watch live and recorded sessions by registering here: https://www.teleiosconference.com Leave a message with your response to my thoughts. God bless, Malcolm

This morning I was blessed to attend the service of our sister congregation in Oklahoma. We arrived early and I found myself talking to a delightful Gen Z young woman called Leslie. My reflections on this conversation are in the recording. You can watch live and recorded sessions of the conference by registering here: https://www.teleiosconference.com Leave a message with your response to my thoug...

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ. The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, a...

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ. The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, a...