Every now and then I try to take some time and reflect on why the intentional teaching ministry of the church remains important. Whatever shape it takes, why is equipping and a teaching in the church, for the church, and by the church valuable? 

At least one reason is the growth of secularism, pluralism, and "indifferentism" in America. Very simply stated, secularism is a worldview that pushes God to the margins. It's fine to believe in God on your own, the secularist may say, just don't bring any religious ideas or reasoning into the public square. Pluralism flows out of the reality that we are surrounded by people who believe very different things than than us - and it often goes a step further to say the no one religion can be exclusively true. "Indifferentism" (this is my term, I think) tries to explain the religious apathy of the "nones" and "dones" - those who adhere to no single religious expression (the "nones") or those who have "tried out" some religion and - for whatever reason - didn't stick with it.

So what does all this have to do with catechesis - an intentional and systematic approach to teaching in the local church? Here's what:

I recently ran across a 2009 article where Christian apologist, speaker and author Ravi Zacharias talks about "Defending Christianity in a Secular Culture." The whole thing is good, and I encourage you to read it.

In a few places throughout the article, Zacharias draws attention to the value of equipping the church, in the face of a secular culture that is increasingly hostile or indifferent towards Christianity. Below are some short quotes from the article where we see this:

For much of the second half of April, I was helping train pastors in Zambia as part of the Hope Center Pastor Training School near Serenje.  While I was there and teaching through "1-2 Timothy & Titus, with Special Emphasis on the Doctrine of the Church," the topic of teaching and preaching came up.  After all, it's tough to work through these books of the New Testament and NOT talk about these things!

I love how the pastors - on their own - brought up the importance of teaching and educational environments, in addition to and alongside the important role preaching plays in the life of a church.  These interactions with the pastors have stayed fresh in my mind since then.

In 2016, Brookside Church is reading through the Bible - we're calling the series "365" to encourage people to spend time DAILY reading through a guided Scripture plan.  (You can find out a lot more about what we're doing here.)  And since the Brookside Institute is all about championing biblical literacy (along with theological formation, for the purpose of living on mission), I love pointing people towards this 365 Series and considering how the Institute can align with things over the course of the year. 

All this is why I'm so excited about how the Institute will be "leaning in" to the 365 Series throughout 2016.  Throughout the year, we'll be creating resources and offering "one and done" seminars designed to help people move into and through the Bible as they track along with the 365 reading guide.  Be sure and access what we've already done - and stay aware of what's coming - by tracking along here.  (And check back periodically, as things will continue to develop as the year goes on.)

Specifically, we'd love to hear from YOU as we prayerfully and thoughtfully consider which topics to address through resources we produce and seminars we offer.  Here are some things you can get back to us about:

• We'd love to hear what questions you have about sections of Scripture that are coming up in the reading plan.  
• We'd love to hear about any biblical topics that you want to dig into more deeply.
• We'd love to hear what we can do to help you move into and through the Bible, as we work together to grow in our understanding of, love for, and obedience to Scripture.

Even if your question feels "broad" to you or you don't feel like you can quite word it perfectly, please don't let that keep you from submitting questions, thoughts, and ideas that can help us offer resources and seminars that (at least kinda) get at the things that would help you out.
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So bring it on and help us out.  You can submit ideas/thoughts/questions in the comments section below, or feel free to email me directly at twiebe@brookside.net and submit them that way, if you'd prefer a greater level of anonymity.  (No questions will be tied back to the "author" of the question in any public environment.)

Pastor and author A.W. Tozer is famous for saying that "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."  

I, for one, happen to think Tozer is on to something with this statement.  And so part of my goal - both as a Christian disciple and as someone who teaches a fair amount of Bible & theology - is to build a strong foundation around a biblical view of God AND continually be returning to and reinforcing a robust, "big," and accurate picture of who God reveals Himself to be.  And that means I love it when authors, pastors, and teachers help bring various truths about God to life in fresh, vivid ways.

Recently J.D. Greear helped do this for me, bringing God's ability and His generosity together in some cool ways.  Check out this quote, from Greear's Gaining by Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send​ (Zondervan, 2015), p. 187: 

Many of you have heard the acronym "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) - an anxiety or fear that something is going on somewhere that you're missing out on.  Well, have no fear.  In case you're experiencing "Brookside Institute FOMO," I've helpfully included all of the "top 5 blog posts" for each month, for the last six months (July-December 2015).  If you're brand new to the Brookside Institute, be sure and check out our "About" page, our "Classes Overview," and our most recent "Speed Dating the Brookside Institute" as well.

Click on any of the posts included below to revisit posts you've already enjoyed and catch up on anything you may have missed!