Bridging the Gap Between the Pulpit and the Pew

Every preacher or teacher of the Bible knows that the distance between the pulpit and the pew can seem insurmountable. It is a gap that is challenging to bridge on the best of days and with the easiest of texts. And when those conditions aren’t present, then it compounds the difficulty that much more. That’s why a commentary like the Teach the Text Commentary is so beneficial. Teach the Text Commentary is perfectly suited to help bridge the gap between the pulpit and the pew. Let’s look at why this commentary can be so beneficial for reaching God’s people with God’s message.

Features of the Teach the Text Commentary

The reason why the Teach the Text Commentary can bridge the gap between the pulpit and the pew is because it was specifically designed to do just that. The features and sections of the series provide the teacher with what they need to communicate the text of Scripture effectively. The biblical text is divided up into preaching or teaching units and each unit is covered in a concise six pages (at least in the print edition). Each of these units covers the essential categories for understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in the Teach the Text Commentary for each unit of Scripture.

1. Big Idea

For each unit the commentary identifies the primary theme, or “Big Idea,” that drives both the passage and the commentary.

2. Key Themes

Together with the Big Idea, the commentary addresses in bullet-point fashion the key ideas presented in the passage.

3. Understanding the Text

This section focuses on the exegesis of the text and includes several sections.

1. The Text in Context. Here the author gives a brief explanation of how the unit fits into the flow of the text around it, including reference to the rhetorical strategy of the book and the unit’s contribution to the purpose of the book.
2. Outline/Structure. For some literary genres, a brief exegetical outline may be provided to guide the reader through the structure and flow of the passage.
3. Historical and Cultural Background. This section addresses historical and cultural background information that may illuminate a verse or passage.
4. Interpretive Insights. This section provides information needed for a clear understanding of the passage. The intention of the author is to be highly selective and concise rather than exhaustive and expansive.
5. Theological Insights. In this very brief section the commentary identifies a few carefully selected theological insights about the passage.

4. Teaching the Text

Under this second main heading the commentary offers guidance for teaching the text. In this section the author lays out the main themes and applications of the passage. These are linked carefully to the Big Idea and are represented in the Key Themes.

5. Illustrating the Text

Here the commentary provides suggestions of where useful illustrations may be found in fields such as literature, entertainment, history, or biography. They are intended to provide general ideas for illustrating the passage’s key themes and so serve as a catalyst for effectively illustrating the text.

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Now, you may be thinking how can a commentary do that for each teaching unit in under six pages? See for yourself! Check out these blog posts and read through the material we adapted from the commentary.

• The Commander of the Lord’s Army
• More People = More Problems or Opportunities?
• A Romans Rivalry: The Law vs Faith

Try the Teach the Text Commentary Yourself!

As you can see, the Teach the Text Commentary promises to be an excellent resource in bridging the gap between the pulpit and the pew. If you’re devoted to preaching or teaching God’s word, or a studier who wants to understand the Bible better, then visit our store today and try the Teach the Text Commentary for yourself! You and everyone you teach will benefit from this excellent resource!