You don’t have to go to seminary to qualify to teach. But preaching is a high calling, so you should ask a few basic questions before you fill the pulpit.
Talking Points:
- Are you connected to Jesus? Preaching in the early church was a function of spending time with Jesus, not of seminary training. Acts 4:13
- Are you honoring God in everyday life? Preachers are qualified by solid character and sound doctrine. Titus 1:5-9
- Do you care about people? Godly preachers are not motivated by ego or financial gain, but rather by a desire to help people pursue God. 1 Timothy 6:3-4
- Are you personally making disciples? You can’t lead someone to a place you’ve never been. Matthew 28:19-20
- Do you have a teaching gift? 1 Corinthians 12:29-30
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Describe your prayer life. How often do you read and study the Bible?
- Are you honoring God in everyday life? Explain.
- Give a practical example of how you care about people.
- Are you personally making disciples? What are their names, and how are you doing it?
- Do you believe you have a teaching gift? How can you know?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
