Help Me Teach The Bible

The Everyday Pastor is a new podcast from TGC on the nuts and bolts of ministry. Hosted by Ligon Duncan, with nearly 20 years of pastoral experience, and Matt Smethurst, who planted a church three years ago, it seeks to model how ministers of different generations, levels of experience, and even denominations can apply God’s never-changing Word in a fast-changing world.It’s not an easy time to be a pastor, but it’s an exciting one—because the Lord is on his throne and his Word is enough to help us navigate the trenches of ministry with fortitude and joy. So join Matt and Lig (and special guests along the way) as they seek to help you think wisely about nitty-gritty issues of everyday ministry.Don't miss an episode of The Everyday Pastor! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual recap discussion on the biggest stories affecting the church around the world in the last year. This conversation was originally featured on TGC's Gospelbound podcast.

When it comes to selecting a book of the Bible to study or teach, Revelation is a book that is often avoided. We’re a bit intimidated by it—afraid we won’t be able to understand it, afraid of the controversy that surrounds it, and afraid of the realities it presents in its graphic strangeness. We also know it is a book some people have an unhealthy obsession with. The book of Revelation actually begins and ends with a promise—a promise of blessing for those who hear what is revealed in it and allow that revelation to shape their perspective about what is real, what will last, and who is worthy of worship. In this workshop, recorded live at The Gospel Coalition's 2022 Women’s Conference, Nancy Guthrie addresses fears many have in regard to the book of Revelation—the fears of not understanding it, fears of controversy, persecution, and its depictions of God’s judgments— offering reasons to invest ourselves in understanding this challenging book as well as keys that will unlock its meaning and impact.Click here for more from Nancy on the book of Revelation.  

We all know that some teachers are easier to listen to and learn from than others. And we want to be teachers who are clear and engaging. In this workshop recorded live at The Gospel Coalition's 2022 Women’s Conference, Nancy Guthrie defines what she means and doesn’t mean by “passion” and “personality” and then works through twelve ways to put personality and passion into your teaching without making it all about you. Topics include the use of story, voice variation, drama, humor, eye contact, and getting to the passion of Christ himself.

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy sat down with Colleen McFadden and Lisa Helm. McFadden is director of women’s workshops for The Charles Simeon Trust, and Helm, wife of Simeon Trust executive director David Helm, is an instructor for the trust’s women’s workshops. We talked about their own development as Bible teachers and about the convictions every Bible teacher must hold. McFadden and Helm discuss how to use tools such as context, structure, traveling through the cross, and melodic line to get to the intended meaning of the biblical text. 

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy talked with Ligon Duncan—chancellor, CEO, and professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary—about the book of Numbers. In the two-part conversation, Duncan helps teachers to see God’s kindness toward women in a couple of passages, the beauty embedded in the long lists of hard-to-pronounce names, and how to point to Christ in well-known stories such as Moses striking the rock, the serpent mounted on a pole, and Balaam’s talking donkey.Recommended ResourcesNumbers(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) by Gordon J. WenhamNumbers: God’s Presence in the Wildernessby Iain M. DuguidSermons on Numbers by Ligon DuncanThe Literary Study Bible edited by Leland RykenThe ESV Study BibleRyken’s Bible Handbook by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and James Wilhoit 

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy talked with Ligon Duncan—Chancellor, CEO, and professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary—about the book of Numbers. In our two-part conversation, Duncan helps teachers to see God’s kindness toward women in a couple of passages, the beauty embedded in the long lists of hard-to-pronounce names, and how to point to Christ in well-known stories such as Moses striking the rock, the serpent mounted on a pole, and Balaam’s talking donkey.Recommended ResourcesNumbers(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) by Gordon J. WenhamNumbers: God’s Presence in the Wildernessby Iain M. DuguidSermons on Numbers by Ligon DuncanThe Literary Study Bible edited by Leland RykenThe ESV Study BibleRyken’s Bible Handbook by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and James Wilhoit

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy sat down with Jen Wilkin to talk about organizing a Bible study. Wilkin is a minister in the Institute at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, where she oversees curriculum and teaches women’s classes. She is the author of Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Mindsand None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing). She has also published group studies on 1 Peter on the Sermon on the Mount.In this conversation, Wilkin explains how her passion and ability to teach developed and how significant it is to have a pastor affirm and encourage teaching gifts. Having led a large parachurch Bible study for women and now overseeing the women’s Bible study at her own church, Wilkin offers valuable advice for organizing and orchestrating a Bible study program. In particular, Wilkin says studies should provide structure, accountability, and predictability.

In this second of a two-part conversation on how to teach the Book of Romans, Michael J. Kruger, president and professor of New Testament and early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), Charlotte, shares some of what he’s learned over the past two years through teaching Romans to a women’s Bible study. Kruger works his way from Romans 8–16, explaining how to do justice to the majestic themes in chapter 8, why Paul presents election not as a problem but as the solution to a greater problem, and how Paul guides us through the complexities of the Christian life in chapters 12–15.In addition to his duties at RTS, Kruger served (at the time of recording) as an associate pastor of Uptown Church in Charlotte. He blogs at Canon Fodder on the origins of the New Testament canon and other biblical and theological issues. Kruger is editor and contributor to A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament and author of both Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books and also The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture’s Fascination with Diversity has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity, co-authored with Andreas Köstenberger.On Romans, Kruger recommends:Romans (The Crossway Classic Commentaries) by Charles HodgeThe Epistle to the Romans (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by John MurrayThe Epistle to the Romans (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Douglas MooRomans International Critical Commentary (two-volume set) by C. E. B. CranfieldFourteen-volume set on Romans by Martyn Lloyd-JonesRomans (four-volume set) by James Montgomery BoiceStudy GuideRomans: A 12-Week Study by Jared C. Wilson

In part one of this two-part conversation on how to teach the book of Romans, Michael J. Kruger, president and professor of New Testament and early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), Charlotte, shares some of what he’s learned over the past two years through teaching Romans to a women’s Bible study. Working his way through Romans 1 to 7, Kruger explains how and why he creates handouts for his students, and how to respond to those offended by what Paul writes in the book on homosexuality and the wrath of God.In addition to his duties at RTS, Kruger served (at the time of recording) as an associate pastor at Uptown Church in Charlotte. He blogs at Canon Fodder on the origins of the New Testament canon and other biblical and theological issues. Kruger is editor and contributor to A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament and author of both Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books and The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture’s Fascination with Diversity has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity, co-authored with Andreas Köstenberger.On Romans, Kruger recommends:Romans (The Crossway Classic Commentaries) by Charles HodgeThe Epistle to the Romans (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by John MurrayThe Epistle to the Romans (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Douglas MooRomans International Critical Commentary (two-volume set) by C. E. B. Cranfield14-volume set on Romans by Martyn Lloyd-JonesRomans (four-volume set) by James Montgomery BoiceStudy GuideRomans: A 12-Week Study by Jared C. Wilson

In this episode, Nancy talked with Paul House in Birmingham, Alabama, where he teaches Old Testament theology and Hebrew at Beeson Divinity School. House is the author of several books, including The Unity of the Twelve, Old Testament Survey, Old Testament Theology, Lamentations in the Word Biblical Commentary series, and Bonhoeffer’s Seminary Vision. He has also served as a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version Bible.The Book of Jeremiah is 5 percent of the entire Bible, but House provides practical help on how to organize and what to emphasize in order to teach this book in just a few weeks. He also gives insight into the social and spiritual realities of Judah in Jeremiah’s day, which remarkably reflect social and spiritual realities in our own.Additional Print and Audio Resources:Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope by Philip Graham RykenJeremiah: A 12-Week Study by Matthew S. HarmonA Mouth Full of Fire: The Word of God in the Words of Jeremiahby Andrew SheadThe Prophet of the Heart sermon series from All Souls Langham PlaceSermons on Jeremiah by Colin Adams

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy talked with Phillip Jensen at his Two Ways Ministries office in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Over a lifetime, Jensen’s ministry has centered around the exposition of the Scriptures. He served as chaplain for the University of New South Wales, offered leadership to the Katoomba Christian Convention, founded Matthias Media, and most recently served as dean of St. Andrews Cathedral in Sydney.To teach 1 Timothy, Jensen suggests we begin not at the outset of the letter but at the center, where Paul’s purpose for writing is stated clearly (1 Tim. 3:15) and should, therefore, inform our teaching throughout. Jensen challenges our preconceived understandings of “the mystery of godliness,” and provides a framework for understanding Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 2 about the proper behavior of men and women in the church.Print and audio resources on 1 Timothy:1–2 Timothy and Titus: A 12-Week Study by Brian Tabb1–2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit by Bryan ChapellExalting Jesus in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus by David Platt and Daniel AkinSermons on 1 Timothy by Phillip JensenSermons on 1 Timothy by Dick LucasSermons on 1 Timothy by Alistair BeggBooks by Phillip Jensen:Guidance and the Voice of GodTwo Ways to Live pamphlet

In her new podcast, Blessed, Nancy Guthrie sits down with Bible scholars, theologians, pastors, and other church leaders to explore the message of the book of Revelation, and why it's more relevant to our lives than we often think. Today, we're excited to share the first episode from Nancy's new show right here on the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast.Subscribe to Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie on Apple Podcasts. 

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy sat down with Graeme Goldsworthy in his home in Brisbane, Australia, to talk about biblical theology and how it affects our understanding and teaching of the Bible. Goldsworthy has written many books, including the popularAccording to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible, one of the best and most accessible overviews of the Bible’s basic plot. Over the course of our conversation, we discussed how this approach to the Bible was lost and found, how his approach to biblical theology differs from that of Geerhardus Vos and Edmund Clowney, and how to trace themes throughout the Scriptures as he demonstrates in his newest book, The Son of God and the New Creation in Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology book series. Books by Graeme Goldsworthy:The Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel and Kingdom; Gospel and Wisdom; The Gospel in RevelationGospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical InterpretationChrist-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and PrinciplesMentioned in this podcast:Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments by Geerhardus VosThe Unfolding Mystery by Edmund ClowneyPreaching Christ in All of Scriptureby Edmund Clowney

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy talked with Michael Horton of Westminster Seminary in California about his book and biblical teaching campaign Core Christianity. In addition to being the author of many popular and academic books, Horton is the editor-in-chief of Modern Reformationmagazine, one of the hosts of the White Horse Innradio broadcast, and a minister in the United Reformed Churches.In their conversation on his book Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story, they discuss why those we teach need training in doctrine, the way God speaks to us today, and whether the purpose of our lives as Christians is to change the world.

In this conversation, O’Donnell provides helpful ideas and key insights for teaching through Matthew, including how to find the melodic line of Matthew, Matthew’s emphasis on pattern fulfillment, and what he calls “Doug O’s Amazing Ten Steps” to interpreting parables.Books by Douglas O’Donnell:Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on EarthThe Beginning and End of WisdomGod’s Lyrics: Rediscovering Worship through Old Testament SongsThe Song of Solomon: An Invitation to IntimacyDouglas O’Donnell recommends:Matthew in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament by Grant OsborneMatthew: A Commentary, Volumes 1 & 2 by Frederick Dale BrunerInterpreting the Parables by Craig BlombergThe Parables of Jesus by David Wenham

For this two-part conversation on 2 Samuel, Nancy sat down with John Woodhouse in his home office in Sydney, Australia.In part one, Woodhouse helps relate the story of God’s kingdom in David’s day to the context of God’s kingdom in our day. He gives us handles on how to teach 2 Samuel 7, one of the most important chapters in the Bible, in which God makes a covenant with David and promises that his throne will last forever. In part two, Woodhouse discuss the difficult-to-read—and even more challenging to teach—section on Amnon’s sin with Tamar and Absalom’s rebellion.Books on 2 Samuel:2 Samuel: Your Kingdom Come (Preaching the Word commentary series) by John WoodhouseSermons on 2 Samuel by John Calvin2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity  by Dale Ralph Davis1–2 Samuel: A Twelve Week Study  by Ryan KellyAudio Resources on 2 Samuel:Sermons series by John Woodhouse at Christ Church St. Ives in Sydney, AustraliaSermon series by Liam Goligher at Tenth Presbyterian in PhiladelphiaSermon series by Ryan Kelly at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque

For this two-part conversation on 2 Samuel, Nancy sat down with John Woodhouse in his home office in Sydney, Australia.In part one, Woodhouse helps relate the story of God’s kingdom in David’s day to the context of God’s kingdom in our day. He gives us handles on how to teach 2 Samuel 7, one of the most important chapters in the Bible, in which God makes a covenant with David and promises that his throne will last forever. In part two, Woodhouse discuss the difficult-to-read—and even more challenging to teach—section on Amnon’s sin with Tamar and Absalom’s rebellion.Books on 2 Samuel:2 Samuel: Your Kingdom Come (Preaching the Word commentary series) by John WoodhouseSermons on 2 Samuel by John Calvin2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity  by Dale Ralph Davis1–2 Samuel: A Twelve Week Study  by Ryan KellyAudio Resources on 2 Samuel:Sermons series by John Woodhouse at Christ Church St. Ives in Sydney, AustraliaSermon series by Liam Goligher at Tenth Presbyterian in PhiladelphiaSermon series by Ryan Kelly at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, Nancy sat down with two good friends who have spent many years identifying, recruiting, training, and overseeing teachers in the church. She asked them what they look for in a teacher, red flags that may indicate one shouldn’t be tapped to teach, and how they recommend people improve at teaching the Bible.Resources recommended in this episode:Simeon Trust WorkshopsOne to One Bible Reading by David HelmLiving By the Bookby Howard HendricksGetting the Message by Dan DorianiPutting the Truth to Work by Dan DorianiThe Heart Is the Target by Murray CapillZondervan Encyclopedia of the BibleESV Study BibleESV Gospel Transformation Bible

In this episode, Nancy sat down with Rosaria Butterfield, formerly a tenured professor of English at Syracuse University and now a pastor’s wife, homeschool mother of four, author, and a good neighbor. She tells about her experience and provides wisdom for those teaching the Bible to people like she once was—angry and skeptical, yet wanting to discover if the Bible is credible, what has to say, and what it demands.Both of Butterfield’s books are excellent resources for thinking about how to discuss the Bible with a confirmed yet curious skeptic:The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert [review]Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ[20 quotes | review]