What You Were Taught
What You Were Taught
Reading: Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1
3 Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. (Luke 1:3-4 MSG)
Luke wanted Christ-followers, Jewish and Gentile alike, to have a solid basis for their faith. He wanted them to have the facts clear so that as the message traveled across the world it would remain accurate and true. So Luke did the research, interviewed the eyewitnesses, sorted through all the reports and stories, and gave us both his gospel and the book of Acts. Thank God for Luke’s diligent work!
I want people to have a solid basis for their faith in Jesus Christ and for their practice of that faith in daily life. I love to deal with foundational truths, the bread and butter of our faith. Like Luke, I want people to understand – not in a science and logic kind of understanding – but in a faith and trust kind of understanding. I want to present spiritual truths as simply as possible and as clearly as possible.
This desire to help Christ-followers lay a solid foundation for their faith in Christ and their service in his Kingdom is what led to our establishing of the Bible Training Centres. The first BTC was established in Kingston, Jamaica, then after several years we moved to London and over nearly a decade established BTC’s in the UK and Africa. Jean and I created the Foundation for Christian Service as the core curriculum for the Training Centers.
You can access all the FFCS course notes at www.resourceministries.org. Click on the Resources tab, then on Foundation for Christian Service. Under “Terms 1-3” you’ll find the teaching notes in <pdf> format and audio files of Jean or teaching the lessons in <mp3> format. Check it out. This material is available to download without charge and is used around the world in churches, Bible Schools, and ministry training courses. It’s our gift to you.
Prayer:
Father, Please help me to fulfill my calling to present your Word to your people as clearly and simply and “do-ably” as possible. Show me how to use the teaching gift most effectively and the writing gift most effectively. I’m not so concerned about scope and efficiency as I am about practicality and effectiveness. I want to do what you want me to do – no more, no less. Amen.