Bridge Builders…

Colin Powell in his book, The Powell Principles” states: “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care.  Either case is a failure of leadership.” 

Now you may be wondering: What does this have to do with tomorrow’s sermon or lesson?  It has everything to do with it.

Never forget that the reason your people keep coming back to hear you each week is because they hope you are going to help them with their problems.

Oh there is the occasional student that attends class just for the joy of learning, but for the most part, people are busy and have to say no to a dozen other things that they would like to do or need to do in order to attend your service or class.   The reason?  Their pain and problems.  They are looking for answers and for relief.

If you are a good preacher or teacher that means you are a good student; you love to study.  And let me assure you, there is nothing wrong with that.  However, the danger is you can become so engrossed in your studies and so excited about what you have learned that you fail to connect the great eternal truths of Scripture to the urgent current needs of your listener’s lives.

Do both: share with all the zeal and expertise possible what you have learned in your studies this week; but also remember you are a bridge builder and it is important that you build a bridge from the ancient inspired scriptures to the current needs of your listeners.

When you do this it is a win/win: your people leave with a greater knowledge of God and also with greater hope that the Eternal God is their refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).