Resources

• Peter White Preaching the Old Testament:
  • Leviticus,
  • Deuteronomy,
  • Isaiah,
  • Ezekiel,
  • Song of Songs
  • Compilation of above in one volume (Free PDF) or printed on demand by Amazon

• Derek Newton Preaching the New Testament:
  • 2nd Corinthians,
  • Colossians,
  • Hebrews,
  • James,
  • Compilation of above in one volume (Free PDF) or printed on demand by Amazon
  • Revelation

• Derek Newton Preaching Spiritual Warfare: Free PDF or printed on demand by Amazon

Background

Between 2016 and 2023, a Church of Scotland minister and two Bible scholars with a heart to help hard-pressed preachers ran a series of retreats called “Preachers’ Gatherings”.

As a gift from a Trust, preachers and their spouses in Scotland who ‘worship Jesus, sit under His Word and are determined  to love one another’ could enjoy a refreshing night in a good hotel and receive practical encouragement for preaching the whole Bible.

Bible teaching

The teaching was provided by Peter White and Derek Newton who bridged both Academia and practical ministry and dealt with books often neglected in our churches.

They were asked to expose one book of the Bible per Gathering, in such a way that preachers could in theory deliver a sermon series on it, starting two weeks later.

This involved a huge amount of work for the teachers having to prepare brief, but extensive materials for participants, which they then introduced during the Gatherings.

The resulting materials are listed above.

Review 

Practicalities

a] Participation was a gift, funded by a small trust. It was intended to provide 24 hours away from their churches in a good hotel, offering practical Bible teaching, honest prayer, and relaxation in the jacuzzi (though not necessarily simultaneously!)

b] The teaching was on Scriptures often neglected in local churches by reason of length or complexity. – e.g. Ezekiel, Leviticus, Deuteronomy,  Revelation, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews. The task of the teachers was, in 4 hours, to give an overview of the book with practical help that would enable  church leaders to start to preaching a series from it, beginning, potentially, in 2 weeks’ time.

c] The Gatherings were arranged  from 11.00 am on Monday till 2.00pm on Tuesday so as to cause the minimum disruption and stress on a preacher’s week.

The result

This was a 6 year project with a series of biannual Gatherings in Macdonald’s hotels in Aviemore and Falkirk. There was  a limit of about 25 at each one, and all were welcomed, especially those who are hard-pressed.  

Over the years there were 49 Gatherings, of 203 different preachers, from over 10 streams or denominations from all over Scotland, who joined us in at least one Gathering.

Feedback

In one of the last Gatherings, the participants were invited share their comments with others on the benefit they had receive from God at the them. The following responses were received (PDF)

Example sessions:

Preaching the text:

A sermon on a text giving an overview of the message of the Book.

Preaching 1-3:

Three talks introducing the book, providing historical, geographical, religious, social etc, perspectives and possible preaching plan.  

Preaching Workshop:

Groups of three, where one introduces passage (2 mins) and all three then list simple questions on it – Who? What? When? Where? Why?  How? – whether the answer is known or not. (13 mins) Repeat twice.

Prayer in three’s:

One person shares concerns for self, family and church (not what is going well!) (10mins). The other two then pray for them (5mins). Repeat for each person.

Practical preaching:

Consideration of some practical issues concerning the preparation and delivery of teaching.