Currently, our first-year male students are flying through their first chapel lesson, Wednesday night devotionals, and outside preaching. While we try to break them in slowly, these are usually nerve-racking times.
Each one of the thirteen first year guys will have to deliver a chapel lesson every other week or so. This gives them invaluable experience prepping and preaching. After chapel is over, each student faces the dreaded public critique. While we don’t publicly critique every lesson, the first few will receive this direct, immediate feedback. In a world that might see this as confrontation or harmful, it is important to know the benefit of the critique:
-the wise receive correction (Prov. 19:20)
-those who hate correction are fools (Prov. 12:1)
-we want to know if something incorrect was said (cf. Acts 18:26)
-we need to be good listeners (Prov. 2:1-2)
-we want to listen first and act later (Prov. 18:13; cf. James 1:19)
-it is good to have a different perspective (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1-2)
-good things need to be brought out (cf. Phil. 3:17)
-teachable moment for all the students (cf. 1 Cor. 10:11; Prov. 15:31)
The purpose of our critiques is not to tear down but to build up (2 Cor. 13:10).
Honestly, we all need people in our lives to help “critique” us (Prov. 27:17). None of us has everything: doctrine, presentation, attitude, speech, conduct, and LIFE perfect all the time (cf. Rom. 3:23, but also consider the weaknesses we have as humans!). When brethren who have the kingdom and our best interests in mind, we should listen carefully to what they say. If what they say is good and helpful, we can hold to it (1 Thess. 5:21). Our chapel critiques are not personal attacks. They are meant to make better preachers, better men, and better Christians.
It could be possible that you or someone you know needs this type of Proverbs 27:17 friend in their life. Are you interested in devoting two years to the study of God’s Word? Would you like to learn how to present God’s word in an effective and powerful way? If so, now is the time to apply to SWSBS!
-Trent Kennedy