Josh Bentley and I are teaching a class on "Prophecy" in our Redeemer Ministry School. I am so excited about this class, and what God is doing re. this gift at Redeemer! My own heart is to have greater understanding and experience of the prophetic. Paul writes, in 1 Corinthians 14, that we are to especially desire the gift of prophecy. I desire it, for reasons cited here. (Note: a long time ago I was taught that this word "prophecy" was equivalent to "preaching." I no longer believe this is true, for exegetical reasons.)
The kind of prophecy Paul had in mind when he wrote this included, essentially, the experience of God-given revelation that strengthens, comforts, and encourages the body of Christ (= the "church").
Books we are using and referring to in the class include the following:
Mike Bickle, Growing In the Prophetic (a wonderful, humble, grace-filled book written by a person who just wants the Real Jesus)
Wayne Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today (perhaps the best scholarly text on prophecy - especially note the distinction between prophecy in the Old Testament and prophecy in the New Testament)
Jack Deere, The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy (don;t be put off by the title - Deere is an excellent writer and a tremendous biblical scholar who converted from dispensationalism to the experiential and textual belief in the spiritual gifts for the church today)
