How can we apply the Antioch church's example of teaching in our communities? The Scene at Antioch “...for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” (Acts 11:26) Why Antioch Matters • Teaching was deliberate, regular, and prolonged. • Both gifted leaders and everyday believers were involved. • The curriculum was Christ—so clear that outsiders coined the term “Christians.” • The fruit was a sending, serving, multi-ethnic church (Acts 13:1–3). Building Intentional Teaching Rhythms • Set aside consistent, unhurried time for Scripture, just as Barnabas and Saul invested a full year. • Move beyond the pulpit: small groups, home studies, workplace lunches, online gatherings—anywhere people meet. Keeping Christ Front and Center • “We proclaim Him…” (Colossians 1:28). Every topic, every passage, points to Jesus’ person and work. • Guard against hobbyhorses; spotlight the gospel in every session. Multiplying Faithful Teachers • Follow the 2 Timothy 2:2 pattern—train reliable believers who will teach others. • Pair new teachers with seasoned mentors, just as Saul learned alongside Barnabas. Blending Word and Deed • Teaching in Antioch overflowed into generosity for famine relief (Acts 11:29-30). • Combine Bible exposition with service projects, visitation, mercy ministries—showing that doctrine breathes through action (James 1:22). Protecting Sound Doctrine • “Speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) • Use confessional statements, catechisms, and doctrinal reviews to keep the message pure. • Address cultural challenges with clear biblical answers, trusting Scripture’s sufficiency. Cultivating a Diverse Fellowship • Antioch’s teachers came from Cyprus, Cyrene, and beyond (Acts 13:1). • Encourage teaching voices from different ages, backgrounds, and cultures within the body to display the gospel’s reach. Encouraging New Believers • Barnabas “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with steadfast resolve” (Acts 11:23). • Pair recent converts with mature believers for one-to-one Bible reading and life-on-life discipleship. Partnering with Mission • Teaching prepared Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2-3). • Let Bible study fuel global and local mission—highlight unreached peoples, pray, give, and go. Gathering Consistently • “Let us not neglect meeting together…” (Hebrews 10:25). • Regular gathering cements teaching; sporadic attendance weakens retention and application. Summing It Up Teach intentionally, center on Christ, replicate teachers, live the Word, guard doctrine, celebrate diversity, nurture new believers, and let instruction propel mission. The Antioch model isn’t locked in the first century; it’s a living blueprint for every community hungry to see disciples grow and the name of Jesus made famous. |
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