Church 101
Practical videos, articles, help guides and on-going series for everyday ministry.
66 Guides
A New Testament Pattern for Church Organization and Growth
Practical guides filled with effective tips and strategies to enhance your teaching and create a positive impact on your students.
1. The Preaching of Jesus
Perhaps in examining Jesus' style and approach to this glorious work we can become more of what all of us seek to be, like Him.
Matthew 5:1-2
2. 4 Resources for Missionaries
To make it as a preacher or missionary, I believe there are four indispensable resources required.
3. How to Grow A Preacher
One of the greatest struggles that some men have is to decide if they're going to go into ministry. This lesson provides direction for those who desire this calling.
4. The Preacher's Job Description
In I Corinthians 14, Paul mentions that there are three primary tasks that the apostle lists concerning the work of the preacher.
I Corinthians 14:3
5. The Work of this Evangelist
Paul the Apostle is near the end of his life in a Roman prison and gives instructions to Timothy, a young preacher he has trained about his work as a minister.
II Timothy 4:1-5
6. Preaching or Meddling?
The oldest joke about preachers is that when they begin to deal with our true bad habits and sins in their sermons, we say that "they've gone from preaching to meddling".
7. The Origin of The Bible
This article looks at the history of writing and examines how the Bible originated and closes with information on how the Old Testament was organized.
8. Top Ten Things that Kill Church Growth
In this lesson we examine 10 things that hinder church growth.
9. The Work of a Preacher
What does it take to be a preacher? Here are some things every preacher should do.
This series describes in detail the various biblical leadership roles in the church and examines how these can be exercised in order to promote individual as well as the corporate growth of the church.
A two-part training session on the role of greeters in your congregation. These videos will equip your members to minister in this role successfully and thoughtfully.
In this topic, Mike provides specialized teacher training for women, enhancing their public speaking, lesson preparation, and leadership skills, enabling them to excel when teaching other women.
In this section we will look at some basic characteristics of adult learners and how to facilitate an environment that helps adults become motivated to learn.
1. Characteristics of Adult Learners
Adults are more attuned to comfortable surroundings, more sensitive and reactive to discomfort. Teachers must do what they can to compensate for these differences as best they can.
2. How to Motivate Adults to Learn
We do not "motivate" learners. Motivation is an internal element unique to the individual. What motivates one person is not the same as what motivates another.
3. Designing Greatness into our Teaching Programs
God requires two things from us as teachers: our best effort and faithfulness. He does not demand perfection but at the same time, he does not accept mediocrity.
4. Improving the Effectiveness of our Adult Bible Class Teaching
A teacher of God's word, no matter the level or scope is one of the most important and influential roles in congregations. It is so important that it was among the final words of our Lord as he was preparing to ascend back into heaven.
5. 3 Basic Steps of Teaching
Teaching involves a basic three-step process: preparation, delivery, and evaluation.
6. Guidelines for Lecture Presentations
A lecture is a common technique used in most Bible class presentations. It can range from a formal, one-way presentation or an informal presentation where questions are encouraged.
7. Guidelines for Guided Discussion Classes
The guided discussion is one of the most effective methods used for Bible study lessons. It is also one of the most challenging to use.
8. Guidelines for Skill-Building Classes
The following guidelines use a method of skill-building referred to as the "Whole-Part-Whole" method.
Mike gives helpful and practical answers to common questions sent to him by viewers. These videos are short, less formal and more hands-on than our in-class material.
10. What is the Textual Authority for Internal Biblical Inspiration?
Where does is it state in the Bible that the Bible itself is the only source of authority and who established the Bible's canon?
11. What should we do about COVID?
Here is Mike's response to believers about the current pandemic.
12. Does the Holy Spirit only dwell in us through the Word of God?
In this message, we look into the dynamic indwelling of the Holy Spirit which also brings up the topic of division.
13. Are we Bound to the Laws in the Old Testament?
Do the Churches of Christ believe in Old Testament laws rather than New testament promises.
14. Can You Remarry After Divorce?
15. How can I be right with God after a divorce?
Dear Mike,I was previously divorced. I have heard that the only way for me to be right with God is to leave (or divorce) my current husband/wife (from my second marriage). Otherwise I have not truly repented...
16. Women's Roles in the Church
Dear Mike, Can women lead adult Bible classes? Paul makes it quite clear in I Timothy 2:12 that women are not to teach or have authority over men in the church. This includes all activities of the church...
17. Feeling guilty/fearful after a divorce
Dear Mike,I'm not the "guilty party". Why can't I stop feeling guilty and fearful since my divorce? If you've read/viewed my teachings regarding divorce and remarriage you know that when there is a divorce...
18. Can you lose the Holy Spirit?
Dear Mike, Can the Holy Spirit leave a Christian and if so, under what circumstances? In the Old Testament the Spirit would come upon various prophets or kings or judges for various times to enable them...
19. Is it Possible to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit nowadays?
Dear Mike, Is it possible to blaspheme the Holy Spirit nowadays? We can blaspheme the Spirit today if we are guilty of doing what Jesus was accusing the Pharisees of doing then. They were attributing...
20. Indwelling/Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
Dear Mike, What is the difference between the 'indwelling' and the 'empowerment' of the Holy Spirit? The "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit is a gift which everyone who obeys the gospel receives - Acts 2...
21. Who was the "Naked Man in the Garden" in Mark 14?
Dear Mike, Who was the "naked man in the garden"(Mark 14:51-52)? The identity of the "naked man" in the Garden of Gethsemane, mentioned briefly in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 14:51–52), has been a subject...
22. Moose Lodge Organization
Dear Mike, Is it okay to belong to a Moose Lodge organization? Moose Lodges, part of the Loyal Order of Moose, is a fraternal and service organization founded in 1888 in Louisville, Kentucky, by Dr. Henry...
23. Elders and Divorce
Dear Mike, Can a man be an elder if he has been married more than once? As to the issue of elders and multiple marriages, I suppose you are referring to the passage in first Timothy (I Timothy 3:2) about...
24. Bible Study and Commentaries
Dear Mike,How do you suggest I study the Bible and use commentaries? My suggestion for how to study the Bible would be to begin with the Study Plans, which are available for free on the BibleTalk.tv website...
25. Church service attendance
Dear Mike, Is it necessary to attend multiple church services per week? As to the evening or midweek service, it's interesting that people don't find it strange that there are several football games broadcast...
26. Casting demons into herd of pigs
Dear Mike, Why did Jesus send the demons into a herd of pigs? In Mark 5:7-13, the story of Jesus casting out demons from a man possessed by "Legion" (indicating many demons) includes an unusual detail...
27. Women's roles: baptizing, announcements, communion
Dear Mike, Can a woman baptize someone/make announcements/serve communion? In normal circumstances men usually do the baptizing, however, there are no instructions in the New Testament about this. The...
28. Single Cup Communion
Dear Mike, Why do some churches use a single cup for communion? The debate about using a single cup during communion, often referred to as the "cup controversy," has its roots in the early Christian Church...
29. Your soul after death
Dear Mike, What happens to your soul after death, before judgment? In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul says that those who are asleep (meaning dead in Christ) will rise first etc. The conclusion we come...
30. Apocrypha
Dear Mike, Why do you not have any series on the Apocrypha/other books? There is a simple response as to why I haven't devoted any time to these works. My goal has been to create a series of lessons for...
31. Speaking in Tongues
Dear Mike, Does speaking in tongues still take place today? This is a complex issue which I will try to answer briefly here, however, if you want more detailed information, I suggest you view or read...
32. Where does evil come from?
Dear Mike, Did God create evil and its properties? The simple answer is no. The reason? "He cannot even tolerate to look upon sin." Habakkuk 1:13 In other words, God cannot abide by, deal with, partake...
33. Children and baptism
Dear Mike, When are children old enough to be baptized? Children are innocent until they reach the age of accountability which is different for each child. Some understand the pressure of conscience and...
34. Authorship of Genesis
Dear Mike, Who wrote the book of Genesis?As far as the authorship of Genesis is concerned, there are three main views: 1. A group of writers, long after Moses lived, came together to write the book some...
35. Was Jesus married/Did He have kids?
Dear Mike, Was Jesus married/did He have kids (Offspring- Isaiah 53:10)? As to your question concerning Isaiah 53:10, this famous passage refers to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as a payment for the sins...
36. Fallen Away
Dear Mike, Can you explain Hebrews 6:4-6? I had once fallen away from the church but have since returned. Can I be forgiven? A: The passage from Hebrews describes a person who has not only fallen away...
Articles and videos detailing how to build and create various digital and media tools specifically designed for church use.
1. The Use of Media in Ministry
Communicating the Message
Media is the vehicle for communication and we as Christians are really in the business of communication.
2. How to Setup a Wireless High Definition Confidence Monitor on Your Pulpit
In this article, we'll show you how to use an iPad or another tablet to control a remote computer containing your powerpoint slides.
3. How to Broadcast your Church Worship Services Live Online
A comprehensive guide to streaming video in your church building. In this guide, we cover everything from microphones to the most important item: patience.
4. How We Edit Our BibleTalk.tv Videos
In this video, we'll dive into Premiere Pro and edit a class together.
5. How to Build a Church Website
We're asked pretty regularly about websites for churches. Here are our recommendations for both.
6. How to Include A cappella Music in Your Live Stream Worship
In this video, Hal Gatewood will show you how we are using Praise and Harmony TV singing videos in our live stream services each week.
7. How We Stream 24/7 on Twitch and YouTube
In this guide, we will look at how we create our never-ending Bible study by stream our on-demand videos to platforms using remote computers.