Teaching at HCC

Teaching

Read Here

Family

Read Here

Music

Read Here

Stewardship

Read Here

Counseling

Read Here

The GOAL OF Teaching:

The goal of teaching is that we might know how to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31). In teaching we glorify God by teaching accurately and worshipfully (life related) the Word of God, to the people of God, in order to see them grow to maturity in Christ (Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:25). The mature man or woman is adequately equipped by the Word of God for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore:

  • All ministries within Hickman Community Church – counselling, evangelism, family and discipleship ministries – all reflect the philosophy of the teaching ministry. That is, all leaders and materials used must uphold the sufficiency and authority of Scripture.
  • Teaching in the wider sense is encouraged. We are all called to teach. Unbelievers and new believers need teaching (Matt. 28:20). Young women need teaching from older women (Tit. 2:3-5).
  • Only gifted teachers are called on to instruct the congregation (Eph. 4:11,12; Roms 12:4,7).
  • Strong accountability must be maintained for those who have the weighty responsibility of teaching (Jam. 3:1). The main teaching is taped, and those who teach are available after ministry to meet with people for clarification and encouragement. This particularly applies to teachers who are invited from outside Hickman Community Church.
  • No ministry, person or material be adopted or advertised through Hickman Community Church if it contradicts the teaching philosophy above.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15
Today the opinions of men rather than the Word of God govern society. To speak of an absolute, unchanging standard or rule is to oppose the accepted belief that everything is relative to the situation (Situational ethics), and that our moral standard of what’s right and wrong are decided by the individual. Relativism and tolerance are the catchwords of our age as we rush head long into the descending spiral of “my opinion is as good as yours”. The resulting destruction of our society is seen lurking on every corner.

Paul describes to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:1) difficult times would come in the last days. He said, “Men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to parents, malicious gossips, haters of good, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” – to name but a few.

How was Timothy told to combat such a godless time? We need to know because the method that Timothy used is the model for the Church to use today.

Unfortunately, many churches today are combating the problem of godlessness their own way. Some are becoming large entertainment centres to attract unbelievers. Some are into religious sensitivity, and are taking away any perceived barriers that might prevent unity. This means that confronting sin, preaching only one way to God and many more absolutes of Scripture must go. Still others are withdrawing further back into their traditions, not realising that their man made traditions have caused some of the problem. And still others believe signs and wonders will restore the power to the Church to combat such godlessness.

What is interesting about this passage of Scripture is that instead of exhorting Timothy to come up with something new to deal with the situation, he exhorts him in the very opposite direction.

He says, “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned” (2 Tim. 3:14).

The things Timothy had learned were Paul’s teaching (2 Tim. 3:10) and the sacred writings (2 Tim. 3:15) which amount to all Scripture (v16).

The key to combat the destruction in our times is to continue in the proclamation of the inspired Word of God, which adequately equips for every good work.

What a powerful model we have presented by Paul for the Church today. We aren’t told to combat the times by compromise, pragmatism, tradition or signs and wonders but by preaching the inspired Word of God – in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2).

We at Hickman Community Church are committed to the sufficiency of Scripture for all circumstances of life. We believe that the difficult times we live in are a direct result of walking away from the truth of God’s Word (2 Tim. 4:3,4).

We teach that the acceptance again of the absolute truth and sufficiency of God’s Word is the only answer to saving this lost generation. Paul said, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.2 Timothy 4:2
God’s Holy Word is given to us so that we may know Him and please Him in all we do and say. It is the privilege of the Church today to have God’s completed and final revelation in our possession. The philosophy of teaching at Hickman Community Church is that the inspired Word of God is absolutely sufficient to:

Therefore, because the Word of God is sufficient to transform lives, it is used and relied upon for:

  1. Counselling of problems caused through non-physical means (ie. depression, anxiety, obsession, lack of self esteem)
  2. Counselling of relationships (ie. marriage, parent/child, etc)
  3. Evangelism: The Word of God is sufficient to save souls.
  4. Growth: Because the Word of God is sufficient to produce growth, maturity, equip for service, keep from sin and resist evil.
  5. Preaching: The Word of God is the source of our teachings and the authority for why we do what we do. The primary method of teaching from the pulpit, must be expositional (exposing God’s intent from the passage, not opinions, experiences etc.). The way we teach from the pulpit reflects our conviction that the Word of God is sufficient for the above.
  6. Discipleship: Whether coming to terms with the purpose of the Church, or the fundamentals of the Faith, or sharing with visitors, we reflect our convictions of the sufficiency of Scripture by using it to guide, instruct and encourage.
Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.1 Peter 2:2

STRATEGY OF Teaching


  • To make the clear teaching of God’s Word a priority at our weekly gatherings.
  • To grow an all age Sunday School.
  • To make the study of God’s Word a priority in our elder’s meetings.
  • To call people to a greater discipline of personal Bible study, through church based training courses, and also seminars run by or supported by Hickman Community Church.
  • Each person to be accountable to another for their progress and application of God’s Word in their lives. This will be achieved through the discipleship and home group structures.
  • To call every member to the duty of warning and admonishing each other in their walk for the Lord (Col. 3:16).