It wasn\u2019t against the rules, but loading those little bodies up with big carbs so close to race time, even with the best intentions in mind, only served to add unnecessary weight for them to carry to the finish. Here, you can almost hear the echo of the inspired writer of Hebrews preaching to us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight<\/em>, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…\u201d (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV, emphasis added)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The calling of the Christian life isn\u2019t just about avoiding those things that are against the \u201crules,\u201d it\u2019s about seeking and doing those things that help us run the race while dropping every encumbrance that hinders us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone who\u2019s been through Scripture more than once will find themselves reconsidering texts they had previously taken only a pedestrian view of. Suddenly they are given new meaning as if they had never been there before. For me, at one time, it was this statement from Hebrews that pulsated an electric wallop through my spine. I realized\u2014if sins were the problem to avoid, then weights were the ballast that prevented me from more fully ascending to holier heights. How could I, for my entire life, have focused so much on avoiding sin, but given so little thought to the weights I willfully carried?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was no way to race! It is true that we must avoid sin at all costs, but God\u2019s love and design for us is so much bigger than that. We cannot become so consumed by the \u201crules\u201d that we forget the principle of them\u2014the very heart of God\u2014and by that heart is a plan for us to run a magnificent race, a weightless race, full of blessing, for his glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This realization should send a sizzle up our spine! Faith is not passive avoidance, but radical persistence. As John Piper observes, it\u2019s when we stop asking, \u201cIs it a sin?\u201d and start asking \u201cDoes it help me run?!\u201d2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is only logical then for our natural selves to want to jump from Piper\u2019s question to another: \u201cOk, so I have a pretty good beat on sins to avoid, but now which weights am I supposed to drop?\u201d Social media, TV shows, music, toys, politics, hobbies, kids\u2019 hobbies\u2026we could fill a library with volumes of potentially encumbering weights only to be left with the task of discerning which diversions are propellants, and which are millstones. Ultimately, this game of whack-a-mole with our weights can lead to decision paralysis or even resigned ambivalence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is certainly worthwhile to consider ourselves\u2014our preferences and proclivities\u2014and to ask the Spirit for guidance in self-reflection, but there is a narrower path to a fuller outcome. We must leave the headspace of list-making and throw ourselves into the heart-space of transformational God-loving, which is to be after him, before ourselves\u2014to live for him, and to die to self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For laying aside our weights, then, a worthy rule of thumb is to forsake the very hand that desires to apply it. \u201cWhich weights should I drop?\u201d We find the key in the personal pronoun of the question: I. Martyn-Lloyd Jones considered the matter of self-abnegation so important that he devoted an entire sermon to it, noting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe whole trouble in life, as we have seen, is ultimately this concern about self\u2026[self-interest] always means defiance of God; it always means that I put myself on the throne instead of God, and therefore it is always something that separates me from Him. All moments of unhappiness in life are ultimately due to this separation.\u201d3<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Matthew Henry then explicitly links weights to self, characterizing it as \u201call inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world.\u201d4<\/a><\/sup> To Henry, this self-concern is, \u201ca dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.\u201d5<\/a><\/sup> Theologians throughout history agree\u2014it is the self that must be slayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This rule of thumb, though not perfect, can still be incredibly helpful to us. As J.C. Ryle\u2019s understood the Golden Rule, which I repurpose and apply here, \u201cThe rule settles a hundred difficult points\u2026it prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases.\u201d6<\/a><\/sup> Understanding and applying the principle (putting ourselves behind us) breaks the chain of endless list-making7<\/a><\/sup>, and transforms our race from one of obstacle awareness to one of finish focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a great kindness, then, that the writer of Hebrews follows the imperatives of avoidance (weights and sin) with a call to action, pointing us to something greater and more perfect than any rule of thumb we could ever conceive: look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.8<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m reminded of the way my mother would talk about her time pregnant with me, a summer baby. The unrelenting Houston heat did her no favors, and so she would cherish opportunities to cool off in the pool, luxuriating, nearly weightless as she floated along. In my own way, I have come to appreciate this feeling, for on many occasions, I have ended a training session in the pool by floating the same way. There is simply no substitute for the relief by release we experience in bodily surrender to weightlessness. This is the ultimate race strategy prescribed for us spiritually, a balm for what ails so much of us personally, and what explains the stagnation of so many in Christendom and in our congregations locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is simply no substitute for the relief by release we experience in bodily surrender to weightlessness<\/em>. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n As long as we white-knuckle the weights in our lives, even for no other purpose than the freedom to do so, we begin running a little slower in the inside lane, a danger to ourselves and others; but when we leave ourselves behind and look to Jesus, we become faithfully fleet-footed finishers, weightless runners in the glorious race set before us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n There\u2019s a certain degree of delusion involved in self-identifying as an athlete when your greatest accolade is the subtle prestige of regularly finishing just ahead of a race\u2019s course cut-off-time, but if the array of dollar-store participation medals on my wall is any indication, I am one. I tell you that to tell you this: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"Gale Bernhardt. \u201cEverything You Need to Know About Bonking.\u201d<\/a> ACTIVE.com, October 31, 2018.<\/ins>\",\"id\":\"0f94e3b8-ffc1-4a3c-813d-ad86bd364775\"},{\"content\":\"John Piper. \u201cRunning with the Witnesses.\u201d<\/a> Desiring God, June 16, 2023.\",\"id\":\"94a4c151-e519-4ad9-9dd4-406c5ade5d21\"},{\"content\":\"David Martyn Lloyd-Jones,\u00a0Studies in the Sermon on the Mount<\/em>. (Martino Fine Books, 2011), Kindle Location 4429-4442.\",\"id\":\"da720cfb-9f59-4c2a-a4cf-9b312862c2da\"},{\"content\":\"Matthew Henry.\u00a0Matthew Henry\u2019s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume<\/em>, 2008.\",\"id\":\"65bb9e08-8db1-4239-b82d-c7afbd138d3f\"},{\"content\":\"Ibid.\",\"id\":\"f311fb79-f7a0-49a7-9963-a30ba79480ba\"},{\"content\":\"John Stott.\u00a0The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (The Bible Speaks Today Series).<\/em>\u00a0(InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition), 191.\",\"id\":\"44337b62-a3bf-4187-8b01-202b01cf886a\"},{\"content\":\"Consider The Antithesis of the Sermon on the Mount.\",\"id\":\"31e0b9cf-8cb0-4cba-8177-7a74a07b9a3b\"},{\"content\":\"Hebrews 12:2\",\"id\":\"632b2063-0733-4ebd-b952-68540ca24cc8\"}]"},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-growth","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nRunner\u2019s World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Rule of Thumb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Experiencing Weightlessness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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