Monologue and Dialogue

Jesus Preached
There are many sections throughout each of the gospels in which Jesus taught and preached extended sermons (Matthew 4-7, Mark 4, Luke 12-18, John 15-17). Just think about how tired and hoarse Jesus must have been after preaching the Sermon on the Mount.

He preached on subjects such as heaven, hell, salvation, faith, grace, His death, His future resurrection, and about everything else the disciples and the people around him would have needed to know. During these long sections you notice that it's not a dialogue; it's a monologue—Jesus is preaching. He's speaking with the authority given Him, and His words are weighty.

When we make disciples we must preach to people at times. When we are being discipled, as we constantly should be, we must receive preaching from others. There are times for discussion, debate, and dialogue (like the 3 D's?) —but there are other times for a good word preached. We should all - the spiritual new-born to the spiritual grandfather gladly receive preaching and teaching from those who study and appropriately administer the Gospel.

Jesus Had Conversation
Jesus did not exclusively use preaching as His method of teaching, but He also allowed question and answer time. On many occasions we can find Jesus conversing with His disciples, with religious leaders, and with the common people. He doesn't confine himself only to the strategy of preaching from a pulpit and retreating to his office. He follows up his sermons by allowing interaction.

Attend a church to grow spiritually from pastoral preaching and teaching. But also get into the community; get into the family and the small groups and build relationships that provide room for open discussion on biblical topics.

We all require growth - physical, emotional, and spiritual. There is no better place, and dare I say, no other place to suitably get it than in the local church.



*Deeply indebted to Mike Anderson for his recent blog by the same name*