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The Devotional Diva - Teachy, Preachy and Peachy
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The Devotional Diva - Teachy, Preachy and Peachy
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 (NAS95)
I have been known to speak at a church event from time to time (hint-hint). The ministry I work for has been known to do the same thing (hint-hint). Actually, all hints aside, this sets the tone for what I feel led to share with you this morning.
Whenever God affords me the opportunity to speak publicly in His behalf, I request certain information. At the earliest moment, I try to ascertain what the topic is, the needs of the women present and anything else that will help me determine in what direction God will have me speak. Sometimes the topic calls for something short and light, other times the event calls for something deeper still. Others simply require an encouraging word.
The ministry I work with does the same thing. In fact, we were recently discussing this very issue. Little did the girls know it would turn up in writing!
Certain venues require different styles of speaking. Some like the “teachy” style. They need a recipe-fashioned approach on how to accomplish a certain task. As the name implies, it conveys educational-classroom value. Good examples of this are a Bible study group or a class on how to use a laptop.
Next, we have the “preachy” style. I am constantly hearing that people don’t like to be preached at and I know there is truth to that. Perhaps, some of the dislike stems from the attitude or delivery of the one preaching. Now there is a whole other message! However, there are times that call for preaching. They are the messages geared to tackle the endless issues that crop up in life. They challenge and call for a response. Don’t we all need a little spiritual reality challenge from time to time?
Then we have the “peachy” style. This is your bottom-line motivational message. It’s meant to encourage those who hear it. Hebrews 10 exhorts us to encourage one another. We all need moments of cheer and support in life. I mean, I like knowing that I am not alone in my mixed-up world of emotions. Please lift my spirits and encourage me to move ahead in life, in work and in ministry!
Now I have one more to add to the list. There is also the “reachy” style. This is a message designed to reach a particular audience. You can mix and match it with any other style or it could stand alone as a message designed to reach parents or senior citizens for example on a specific issue. In Christian circles, we often refer to reachy as evangelistic.
With all of this said, what is the take-home value for you and me today? I hope it is this: as we talk to people in the day-to-day events of life – we are matching the right style of conversation with the right moment.
Are we preaching to someone when he or she just needs a word of encouragement? Are we attempting to teach someone before reaching them? Is our conversation stuck on the light side without ever crossing over to the reaching side? Do we avoid being preachy when someone needs to hear the truth? Remember the Bible tells us to speak the truth, but speak it in love. You don’t always have to water something down to get it swallowed, but addressing someone in a condemning manner, even if he or she is wrong, doesn’t honor Christ.
God inspired the Scripture. Therefore, it would behoove us to remember that there are reasons for teachy, preachy, peachy and reachy. It is profitable so that the man or woman of God will be equipped for the works that He calls them to complete.
As we walk day to day, talking to those around us, let us be sensitive to God’s Spirit. Let our words be well chosen and well spoken, appropriate for each situation. That way, whatever style God directs will be fruitful and not fearful.
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Proverbs 25:11
Preaching and teaching with peaches that reaches!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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