"Malcolm's Major Moments", Week of 6th July 2019 "A Sabbath Day On Pulpit Hill"

I've made it my habit to set aside extra time on the first Monday of each month to pray and plan. I call it a "Sabbath Day" (inspired by the writings of Gordon McDonald).  I have some regular spots like Dunstable Downs. But every now and again I like to go somewhere different. A new experience of an unfamiliar place can lead to fresh thinking. 

This Monday I went to "Pulpit Hill". I didn't know anything about it, but it seemed appropriate for a preacher and teacher! Turns out it's an ancient iron age fort with a network of footpaths criss-crossing several nature reserves with splendid views over the Aylesbury Vale. 

I had a good walk, worked on my suntan, and saw a number of birds including five Red Kite at the same time. There's a special delight in seeing their aerial prowess as they soar and hover - especially because at some points I was on an escarpment and they were below me in the valley.  I was awed by the beauty of the verdant vale before me. But, more than anything, I was refreshed by praying through the Beatitudes and reconfirming my confidence that living in the Kingdom way, inspired by this Kingdom vision of Jesus truly is the "blessed" life. 

If taking "sabbath days" is not part of your spiritual repertoire, I would encourage you to consider it. Perhaps you can't take a full day, or even a complete morning. But, with advance planning, perhaps you could take two hours once a month or so. Jesus "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Lk 5.16) and it some of those times were reasonably lengthy.  If you'd like some inspiration, have a look at a video and podcast on the topic I recorded a while ago. 

On a personal note, please pray for me the family as we help our daughter Lydia get ready for her wedding on 17th August.  It's a very exciting time, and there's lots to do! 

Since you are someone who shares a similar worldview to myself, I'd be interested to know what you think might be a good topic for a "teaching day". I have done a few of these in the past on topics like eldership, 2 Corinthians, Deuteronomy, Hosea and Hebrews.  I enjoyed preparing and presenting them, and the feedback was very positive about their helpfulness. 

Recently members of the Watford church asked me to put on a similar event here in Watford. I'm in the early stages of planning, but I'm unsure which topic or book of the Bible to use. I would like it to be something which appeals to our Watford members, but also friends in our other church fellowships as well as, potentially, friends from the Watford area. 

So here are my two questions: 

1. "If you were able to come to a teaching day put on by myself, what topic or Bible book would be most interesting to you and make you most likely to come?" 

2. "Think of a friend of yours who you would like to introduce to the world of the Bible. What topic or Bible book might be most interesting to them and cause them to consider coming along?" 

Please send me your answers by the end of the coming week, because there's a lot to do regarding planning and advance study. Email me here. The anticipated date for the teaching day would be September or October this year. Thanks so much for helping me out. 

I hope and pray that the coming days are truly "blessed" as you live the Kingdom life within the love and competency of 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@malcolmcox.org. 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm 

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John 

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