I am scheduled to speak at a retreat center from August 29th through September 1st. I think I am talking five times. I need to send all five sermons and the  PowerPoint stuff to them soon, so I set a goal to finish it by Friday. The hardest part is trying to decide what to teach about. I have taught several times over the years at conferences, retreats, and camps. I usually always pick basic stuff to teach about, rather than novel or unique, like the importance of reading your Bible every day, spending time with God in prayer every day, or disciplining yourself to memorize Bible verses systematically. If those coming knew what I would talk about, they probably wouldn’t come, thinking they already knew or that it sounded boring. I try and teach the basic stuff so that it is very motivational and engaging and holds their attention. Most Christians don’t read their Bibles daily, have a random, undisciplined prayer life, and haven’t memorized or meditated on scripture for years. I don’t want to teach simply to produce quilt, but to motivate so that their lives change as they faithfully practice the Christian life’s basic disciplines. Years ago, as a Pastor, I concluded that most Christians know much more of the Bible than they are successfully living. They don’t need to learn more Bible knowledge to add to what they aren’t living, but to be motivated to change, repent, and grow in their daily walk with God. It is fun, though, to teach on some hot topic that interests people and they are curious about. Back and forth I go as I try to decide between basic stuff and new and exciting. Mmmmmm