2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." To correctly handle the word of truth literally means to "cut in a straight line." This word is used of road making. If a road maker cuts a straight road the path will be easy to follow. So Paul is saying, in essence, that we ought to teach God's Word in such a simple and straight forward manner that our sermons are as easy to … [Read more...]
Preparing a One Point Message
When preparing a one point message I use Andy Stanley's approach laid out in Communicating for a Change. Here's the five parts to cover in a one point message: The ME section. In the ME section of the message you share how you personally relate to the topic. The WE section. In the WE section of the message you share how the audience relates to the topic. In this section you want to pose a question your audience wants answered, create a tension they need resolved, or point to a mystery they … [Read more...]
Preparing an Expository Message
Here's an eight step process I created for developing and delivering an expository message: Decide. First, you prayerfully decide what passage you'll preach on. Dig. Second, you study (dig) like crazy! Discover. Third, you discover the big idea (what's this passage about in one sentence). Divide. Fourth, you divide the passage into points (when applicable). Develop. Fifth, you develop each point by explaining it, illustrating it, and then applying it. Detail. Sixth, you detail the sermon … [Read more...]
The Sermon Run-Through
Every Thursday at 1pm I preach Sunday's sermon to my staff. When I'm done I go through each page of the message and ask for their input (i.e. What parts need more work? What parts were confusing? What parts were boring?). We call this the sermon run-through. Here are two main benefits of doing a sermon run-through. It gives you the chance to get feedback, so you know how to improve your message before Sunday. It ensures you aren't practicing on your congregants. By the time you preach the … [Read more...]
Someone Will Pay the Price
Someone will pay the price for your sermon. Either you pay the price in preparation or the people will pay the price on Sunday. Here’s a couple things I do to ‘pay the price’ so the people of New Day don’t have to: If I’m teaching on divorce for example, I will look up all the verses in the Bible that relate to divorce. Then I’ll usually read a book or two on divorce. Then I’ll usually listen to a sermon or two by other preachers that have taught on divorce. This of course requires you develop … [Read more...]