Leaders Must Give That Quality of Leadership Which Will Give People a Sound Solid Foundation

Attending a leader’s conference recently, the main speaker encouraged the Pastors and Bible teachers present to take people through the Gospel of John, and then through the Book of Acts.

“Give your people a solid sound grounding in what is foundational for faith and life.”

Some men present admitted that they had never done this. Texts and themes have their value, but teaching the people of God, the Word of God, gives an understanding which is essential.

Why John? A second question may be relevant? Why are there four Gospels, and not just one account?

The Gospels are not photographs of Jesus Christ, but more like portraits.

Mark relied upon Simon Peter for much of his information. Matthew and Luke wrote their accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus.

Matthew writes from the viewpoint of the Jews, and Luke writes for those of us who are Gentiles, gleaning much of his information about the conception, and details of the birth of Jesus, from Mary.

When John writes, he seeks to deal with who Jesus was and is, and John brings you closer to Jesus.

Reading John will bring you closer to the Son of God, and can deepen your personal fellowship with Christ. Try it.

There are seven miracles in John which are not found anywhere else, and certain events which cannot be read elsewhere. Nicodemus coming to speak with Jesus at night, the woman at the well meeting with Jesus, and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, can be found only in John.

The teaching of Jesus is basic, simple and profound, as John gives us the great ‘I am’ sayings.

John was the youngest of the twelve disciples, and at around 90, he has waited sixty years before putting pen to parchment.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland. He has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, 12 visits to Israel, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland”, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly. Sandy Shaw.