Is relying on the Holy Spirit an excuse for poor preparation? In this episode, Lindsey and Kelly tackle the tension between spiritual dependence and the "hard labor" of developing biblical teaching skills, showing why excellence in communication is actually a form of selfless service.

Many Bible teachers feel a strange guilt about "over-preparing." There is a common misconception that if we focus too much on transitions, "sticky" phrases, or rhyming outlines, we are somehow crowding out the Holy Spirit. Kelly and Lindsay pull back the curtain on this false dichotomy, arguing that spiritual empowerment and the development of communication skills are not in competition—they are partners.

The conversation centers on 1 Timothy 4:13–16, where Paul instructs Timothy to "take pains" and "be absorbed" in his teaching. They point out that while Timothy had a genuine spiritual gift, he was still commanded to work hard so that his progress would be evident to all. They challenge listeners to consider whether "relying on the Spirit" is sometimes just a spiritual-sounding label for laziness or a desire to avoid the difficult work of editing and refining.

Finally, Lindsay and Kelly discuss the heart behind building these skills: love for the audience. Just as Jesus humbled His language using simple metaphors like fig trees and farming to reach His listeners, modern teachers should labor for clarity and retention. When we work hard to make a message sticky, we aren't performing for ourselves; we are giving the Word of God "longer legs" so it can walk home with the listener and continue to bear fruit long after the session ends.

Key Takeaways

The "Laziness" Trap: "Winging it" and calling it "relying on the Spirit" often ignores the biblical call to take great pains and persevere in the work of teaching.

Preparation is Worship: Meeting with God in the hidden moments of study is just as spiritual as the "adrenaline" felt while standing on a stage.

Clarity is Kindness: Developing communication skills (like sticky points and clear transitions) is a way to serve your audience and prioritize their learning over your own comfort.

True vs. New: The Spirit’s most powerful work is usually found in the "old" truths of Scripture rather than a "fresh" spontaneous word that lacks depth.

Other references:

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13–16 & Philippians 2 (Considering others' needs)

Join us Monday, February 2, 2026 for a live Zoom class featuring Class 3 from the program: Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: The Difference Between Being Biblical and Biblical-ish. Register Now!

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Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

Teaching the Bible can feel intimidating especially when you’re afraid of “getting it wrong.” In this episode, Kelly and Lindsey unpack the difference between biblical and biblical-ish teaching and offer practical tools to help you teach Scripture with clarity, confidence, and faithfulness.

While many Bible teachers communicate true things, not every approach draws out the intended meaning of the text itself. This conversation is designed to help teachers recognize weaker teaching habits and move toward a method that puts God’s Word at the center.

Throughout the episode, they unpack 5 “biblical-ish” teaching approaches that many well-meaning teachers (including themselves!) have used:

1. The Favorite Things method
2. The Soapbox method
3. The People-Pleaser method
4. The Book Report method
5. The Tour Guide method



These approaches typically deliver truth, but they often fail to highlight the main point of the passage or connect Scripture’s message to the listener’s heart in a meaningful, anchored way.

Kelly and Lindsey reflect honestly on their own experiences with these methods, sharing personal stories of times when their passions, preferences, or fears overshadowed the passage itself. They highlight why these approaches feel natural and even productive but why, ultimately, they fall short of the clarity, power, and confidence that come from teaching exegetically.

The episode concludes with a clear explanation of exegesis (drawing meaning out of the text) versus eisegesis (reading meaning into the text), and why exegesis gives teachers far more freedom, accuracy, and assurance. Their goal is simple: to encourage and equip every Bible teacher to approach Scripture in a way that lets God’s words — not their own — carry the weight and power of the message.

➡️ Ready to move from “biblical-ish” to confident, exegetical teaching?

Join us Monday, February 2, 2026 for a live Zoom class featuring Class 3 from the program: Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: The Difference Between Being Biblical and Biblical-ish.

This two-hour interactive class includes:

• A live lecture taught by Teach Equip founders, Lindsay Schott and Kelly Needham
• Small-group discussion and practice
• Two downloadable PDFs for in-class use and future reference
• Access for individuals or groups
• A recording of the class sent afterward (perfect for review or if you can’t attend live)

An early-bird rate is available for anyone who registers before the end of the year. Register Now: https://www.teachequip.com/exegesis

📲 Learn more: https://www.teachequip.com/

📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachequip/

💌 Email us at info@teachequip.com

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at https://www.teachequip.com/churches.

Ever felt like your message prep has completely fallen apart? In this episode, Kelly and Lindsay talk about what they call “The Valley of Despair”—that inevitable moment in every teacher’s process when you want to quit, question everything, and wonder if you’re even called to do this. Spoiler: you’re not alone, and it’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong.

Every Bible teacher knows the moment: you start strong, full of vision and excitement for the text, and then suddenly you hit a wall. The words don’t come together, your outline feels useless, and you start thinking someone else could do it better. In this honest and relatable episode, Kelly and Lindsay affectionately call this season “The Valley of Despair” (or as Pilgrim’s Progress puts it, the Slough of Despond). They share their own stories of facing this discouraging stretch and what it’s taught them about dependence, humility, and God’s faithfulness.

Kelly opens up about a recent message prep that brought her to tears—just days before speaking at a conference. Despite her deep study and excitement, the talk fell apart at the last minute. Meanwhile, Lindsay recalls finding two versions of an old sermon—one written before her own “valley,” and one after—and realizing how God used that difficult place to refine not just her message but her heart.

Together, they unpack why these moments happen and how they’re actually built into the process. The Valley of Despair, they explain, isn’t a sign of failure—it’s evidence that God is forming something deeper in us. It’s where we’re reminded that our teaching is never about performance or perfection, but about dependence.

Whether you’re preparing your first Bible study or your hundredth sermon, this conversation will remind you that feeling weak, uncertain, or unqualified isn’t the end of the process—it’s often where God does His best work.

Key Takeaways

• The “Valley of Despair” is a normal (and even necessary) part of preparing to teach.
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• Feeling like your message is falling apart doesn’t mean you’re not called—it often means God is deepening your dependence on Him.
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• The best thing you bring to any teaching moment is your transformed presence, not a perfect outline.
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• Prayer—and trusted friends who will pray with you—are essential tools for moving through discouragement.
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• Your weakness is not a liability; it’s where God’s strength shines most clearly.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with another teacher who might be in their own “Valley of Despair.” Subscribe to the Teach Equip Podcast for more honest, practical conversations that help you grow as a Bible teacher, and visit TeachEquip.com for free tools and resources.

Additional Resources:

• The creative process chart mentioned in this episode
• We’d love to hear from you! What part of this episode resonated most with you? Share your thoughts, questions, or “aha” moments with us—we love connecting with fellow teachers.
• Subscribe to our newsletter

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip

💌 Email us at info@teachequip.com

In this special episode, listeners hear from Kelly Needham and Lindsay Schott, Co-Founders of Teach Equip, as they sat down with their pastors Rodney Hobbs (Lead Pastor) and Jimmy Needham (Worship & Teaching Pastor) from Stonegate Church during an Acts29 Conference panel discussion in 2024.

The group unpacks a question many pastors wrestle with: How can churches equip women to teach in ways that are both faithful to Scripture and aligned with their theological convictions? This candid conversation explores how pastors and women can work together to cultivate clarity, confidence, and unity in ministry.

Through real stories and practical insight, the discussion shows how Teach Equip partners with pastors to build trust, provide clarity, and create pathways for women to grow as communicators of God’s Word. Lessons from churches of all sizes highlight that equipping women can strengthen, not disrupt, church structure.

You’ll hear thoughtful dialogue about the difference between calling and permission, the value of theological nuance, and why developing women teachers benefits the whole church. It’s an encouraging and practical conversation for pastors, ministry leaders, and women who long to teach faithfully in their church context.

Whether you’re leading a church, mentoring women, or exploring how to steward the gifts of women in your congregation, this episode offers practical wisdom and a renewed vision for partnership in ministry.

Key Takeaways:

• Equipping women to teach isn’t about challenging authority—it’s about stewarding gifts faithfully within a church’s convictions.
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• Clear communication between pastors and women’s ministry leaders builds trust and alignment.
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• Creating structured training pathways helps women develop confidence and skill in teaching Scripture.
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• Healthy collaboration between men and women strengthens the church’s teaching culture.
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• Churches benefit when theological clarity meets a spirit of partnership and grace.

If this conversation encourages you, share it with your pastor or ministry team, and subscribe to the Teach Equip Podcast for more practical conversations on equipping women to teach the Bible faithfully. Learn more at teachequip.com.

Additional Resources:

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip

Not every teacher thrives without notes. In this episode, Lindsay and Kelly explore the opposite end of the spectrum—using a manuscript—and how scripting can help Bible teachers stay clear, confident, and connected to their audience.

In Episode 5 of the Teach Equip Podcast, Lindsay and Kelly continue their series on note styles for Bible teachers. After last week’s conversation on teaching with no notes, they flip the script (literally) and talk about what it looks like to teach from a manuscript.

Lindsay shares why scripting works best for her as an internal processor who doesn’t always think clearly on the spot. A manuscript allows her to capture the prayers, insights, and Spirit-led moments from preparation and bring them with her into the teaching space. Instead of being a barrier, her script serves as a bridge—helping her reconnect with both the Word of God and the people in front of her, even when nerves strike.

Kelly offers a helpful contrast, explaining why scripting sometimes felt like a wall for her. Together, they highlight the importance of knowing your wiring, your strengths, and what allows you to be most present with people while delivering God’s Word faithfully.

The episode also tackles practical challenges many teachers face: stories that go on too long, moments of blanking out, or misspeaking in ways that muddy the message. Lindsay explains how manuscripts can provide clarity, pacing, and confidence—while Kelly reminds listeners of the weight of teaching God’s Word and the need to balance both accuracy and authenticity.

Whether you lean toward no notes, full manuscript, or somewhere in between, this conversation will help you discern which approach brings out the best version of your content and the best version of you.

• The “win” of note styles is the combination of your best content and your most authentic self.
• Your wiring matters—internal vs. external processors thrive with different note approaches.
• A manuscript can be a bridge, not a barrier, helping some teachers reconnect with their preparation and their people.
• Precision matters. Teaching God’s Word requires accuracy; sometimes that means relying on notes.
• There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is presence, clarity, and faithfulness to the message.
• 
  

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t miss the rest of our episodes on note styles! Subscribe to the Teach Equip Podcast for more conversations that equip you to teach the Bible faithfully and visit TeachEquip.com for resources.

Additional Resources:

• See Tim Keller’s sermon notes
• What do you want to hear on the podcast ? Email us!
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Looking for a safe place to try teaching with a manuscript: Book a lab with Kelly and Lindsay.

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip

In this episode of the Teach Equip Podcast, Kelly and Lindsay dive into one of the most practical and personal aspects of Bible teaching: notes. From manuscripts to outlines to no-notes teaching, they explore how your note style can either help you connect deeply with your audience or unintentionally create a barrier.

Kelly opens up about her own journey, sharing the struggles she faced when her carefully written manuscripts left her sounding polished but distant. Though the content was solid, the version of herself her audience saw didn’t reflect the vibrant, relational communicator her friends knew outside of the teaching stage. Through years of trial, error, and prayer, Kelly discovered the surprising freedom of teaching without notes and how it allowed her to bring her truest self to the platform while still honoring the hard work of preparation.

Together, Kelly and Lindsay unpack the process of preparing without notes, including how to group messages into “buckets” or keywords that anchor your memory, ensuring you don’t lose important content while staying fully present with your listeners. They also highlight the importance of practice, labs, and risk-taking in order to grow as a teacher, encouraging listeners not to be discouraged if they’re still finding their rhythm.

Whether you’re a seasoned Bible teacher or just beginning, this episode offers both encouragement and practical insight. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas for preparing your next message and maybe even the courage to try teaching without notes yourself.

A few episode takeaways:

• Your note style impacts not just your content but also how authentically your audience experiences you.
• Teaching without notes doesn’t mean skipping preparation - it requires just as much (if not more) study, planning, and practice.
• Teaching is about more than delivering information; it’s about bringing your transformed presence to the stage.
• Growth takes practice, risk, and feedback. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new note styles in safe spaces.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who’s on their own teaching journey, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Teach Equip Podcast so you never miss an episode.

Additional Resources:

• “Preaching Without Notes” by Joseph M. Webb:
• Bible-Teaching Strategies from Women Leaders
• Kelly's Short Outline for Teaching Without Notes
• Watch Kelly Teaching Without Notes

Looking for a safe place to try teaching without notes? Book a lab with Kelly and Lindsay.

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip

In this episode, Lindsay and Kelly take a step back and share the unexpected friendship that helped spark Teach Equip and how that friendship revealed the beautiful and sometimes uncomfortable work God was doing in each of their lives.

They reflect on what it looked like to discover their shared love for God’s Word, how their friendship helped shape their callings as Bible teachers, and how their wildly different paths taught them the same core lesson: faithfulness is greater than followers.

Whether you're confident on a stage or still whispering your “yes” to God behind the scenes, this one is for you. It’s about motives, comparison, hidden seasons, unexpected platforms, and choosing obedience over outcomes.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What to do when God says “no” (and how that can be grace)
• The temptation of hiding behind false humility
• The danger of finding identity in a platform
• Why our most powerful teaching tool is a transformed life
• What it means to revere the Word, not the audience

Free Resource: Download the our Biblical Literacy Assessment PDF

For more on this topic, check out our list of recommended resources on our website.

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip

In this episode, we're diving into a big (and often misunderstood) word: complementarianism. Yes, it’s a mouthful—and no, our computers don’t recognize it either. 😂 But it’s an important topic worth talking about, especially for anyone thinking about the role of women in ministry and leadership.

We talk candidly about:

• What complementarianism means (and how it differs from egalitarianism)
• Why we believe it’s a second-tier issue among faithful, orthodox Christians
• The theological convictions that led us to build a Bible teaching program for women—while still holding complementarian views
• Why we believe the gift of teaching is not a gendered gift
• All the ways teaching is already happening in churches (even if it’s not from the pulpit on a Sunday)
• How we hope to see more healthy partnership between men and women in the Church—no matter where you land on the spectrum

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Can a woman teach the Bible in a church if she’s not a pastor?”

“How does complementarian theology practically play out in local church life?”

“What does it look like to hold to biblical convictions and still empower women to lead and teach?”

…then pull up a seat and join the conversation.

The goal of this conversation? To offer a gracious, grounded, and biblically faithful approach to a topic that touches many lives, and to champion more partnership—not more division—in the church.

You can find more resources on complementarianism here:

🎥 Bonus Resource for Pastors: Watch the conversation with our lead pastors about complementarianism and teaching

🚩 Important note on this episode: Teach Equip was developed by complementarians, but the program is designed for anyone who desires to grow in the gift of teaching God’s Word

Interested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized.

Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches.

📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip