Stephen P. Pickard MD

In 2014, after more than 30 years practicing medicine, first as a clinician, then as a public health physician, I began to feel God calling me toward new work -- writing educational material for teaching the Bible. I began teaching the Bible in 1973. Mostly I have taught adult classes, but I have taught junior high and college as well. Many students have told me I am a good teacher, but I also know that my teaching style does not work well for everyone.

As a teacher, I found myself frustrated when I had to prepare lessons from standard denominational literature. None of the lessons were question-based and most had little instruction on how to teach. In an effort to cover the entire bible, lessons often came from areas of the Bible that I found hard to teach. All the Bible is God's word but not all is equally rich in what it tells us about God. I was happiest when I could create my own lessons. I teach the New Testament primarily, because Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Although I didn't grow up in a Christian home, God's Spirit began to call to me when I was a child. The first verse I learned was "God is love" (I John 4:8b). I still think it is the most profound Scripture in the Bible. Currently I belong to and teach in an American Baptist church, but I don't consider myself strongly denominational or creedal. In each lesson, I provide a commentary, but what I want is for people to open themselves to God's Spirit. God is an amazing teacher.

I welcome comments. Please email me a spclaude333@gmail.com.