5 Distracting Physical Habits of Preachers
In this video we explore 5 common habits preachers have that are a distraction from their message.
3 Must Do's for Every Point you Make in Your Sermons
When we preach, we make points. But a point can only be effective when we are intentional about how we present it. In this video I discuss how to make sure each point is communicated clearly and effectively so your listeners understand them and know how to apply them.
Three Must-Do’s For Every Point of Your Sermons
As preachers, we make points in every sermon we preach.
We try to communicate at least one point. One idea. One bottom line.
We may have one major point but a number of supporting points. The point is, you make points. Get the point?
So, what do you do with every point you make? Is it enough just to say the words. “My main point is _________. Okay, let’s close in prayer.” Well, we both know that would be insufficient.
We have to do more than just say a point for it to stick. But how do we do this? How do we develop sticky points that land on people in powerful ways.
In this video, I suggest doing at least three things with every point you make in your sermons. Using these as a base line allows you to do more if you’d like, but make sure you’re at least doing these three things with every point you make in your sermons. Give it a watch and let me know what you think in the comments. What do you do with every point...
7 Steps to Writing a Sermon – Part Five – Collaboration, Rehearsal & Prayer
In this series of posts, we have walked step-by-step through a proven-process to get you from a blank page to ready for Sunday in 7 Steps. In this final post we will look at the last three steps of writing a sermon.
In case you missed it, you can check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of this series to get caught up on the first four steps. Let’s dive into the final three steps:
Step 5: Get feedback BEFORE you preach it.
There is a relatively huge mistake that a lot of pastors make on a routine basis: They preach their message without running the material by anyone first. This can be a huge problem because if you are the only one seeing your content you may miss something because we all have blindspots. You may think something makes perfect sense when it really doesn’t. You may think the points connect to the main idea when they really don’t. You may be on the right track but need a little guidance to make sure...
7 Steps to Writing a Sermon – Part Four – Crafting Your Points
Have you ever wanted a step-by-step guide to creating a sermon from scratch? In this series of posts, we are unpacking a practical guide to go from a blank page to ready for Sunday in seven steps. If you work through the seven action steps in this series, you’ll have a sermon written and be ready to go. You can check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this series to get caught up on the first three steps. For today, let’s dive into step four:
Step 4: Craft your points.
At this point in the process you have a workable outline that flows from building tension to resolving the tension with the text to applying the text and inspiring action. At this point it is especially important to have well-crafted points that give you listeners a way to navigate with you through your sermon and see how it works for them.
principles to keep in mind when developing your points:
Every point should tie back to your main idea.
If it doesn’t, either change...
7 Steps to Writing a Sermon – Part Three – Building an Outline
In this series of posts, we are discovering a practical guide to go from a blank page to ready for Sunday in seven steps. If you work through the seven action steps in this series, you’ll have a sermon written and be ready to go. In Part 2 of this series we looked at second step which is to dig into Scripture. You can check that out here. If you missed part 1 you can check it out here. For today, let’s dive into step three:
Step 3: Build an outline. At this point in your study you have established a topic, title and hook. You have thoroughly studied the primary passage of scripture and other supporting texts. You have taken notes on what you’ve observed from the passages. As you’ve taken notes your thoughts have began to form around what you would want to communicate in a sermon. Some of the heavy lifting is over because at this point you’ve done so much foundational work that the sermon structure should come...
How to Become A Preaching Ninja
Ninjas aren’t born. They’re made.
Ninjas are made through a continual, life-long pursuit of mastering their art.
What is a preaching ninja? It’s the preacher who understands how crucial it is to master the art of preaching. It’s the preacher who won’t settle for anything less than the best they can bring. It’s the preacher who recognizes they always have areas that can improve.
If you’re like me, you know how important it is to work on your preaching but it’s hard to know what to focus on. There are so many things pulling at your time that it makes it tough to justify spending time and energy on improving yourself as a preacher.
But I’m convinced that there is not a greater gift you could give your church than to bring your best every time you preach and commit to continually improving your craft as a preacher.
I have put together a helpful resource that reveals a proven process of sermon prep and delivery...
7 Steps to Writing a Sermon – Part Two – Digging into Scripture
In this series of posts, I am revealing a practical guide to go from a blank page to ready for Sunday in seven steps. If you work through the seven action steps in this series, you’ll have a sermon written and be ready to go. In Part 1 of this series we looked at step one which was to determine a topic, title and hook. If you haven’t checked out that post yet, find it here. For today, let’s dive into step two:
Step 2: Dig into the Scripture.
Once you’ve selected a passage of scripture to work from you should begin studying it first. If you are working with a topic and you need to find where the Bible addresses it you could use BibleGateway.com, YouVersion.com or Biblehub.com to search for passages that deal with that topic. It’s good to anchor your message to a particular passage of Scripture and then pull in other supporting texts as needed to support and bolster your points.
How do you study a passage to preach on it?
In...
7 Steps to Writing a Sermon – Part One – Picking a Topic, Title & Hook
In a series of posts entitled “So You Think You Can Preach? 6 Steps to Get Started Preaching” I walked through at all the ways to pursue preaching opportunities for those who are just beginning as a preacher. I suggested starting where you are… in your Bible study or small group… and continuing to look for opportunities to preach outside of that. Today I want to take you to the next level and reveal how to write a sermon.
So, let’s say you’ve led some Bible studies and small groups and you’re feeling relatively confident about teaching in small group contexts. But recently your pastor has tapped you on the shoulder and said, “Would you preach on Sunday night in two weeks?” Or you got a call from a church that is without a pastor and have been asked to fill in next Sunday.
Where do I start?
This is so exciting! This is what you’ve been waiting for! But you have some aching questions: What do I do?...
9 Gift Ideas for Pastors (That They’ll Actually Like)
Every year when the holidays roll around there are lots of people who genuinely want to give back to their pastors with some sort of gift. This, by the way, is NOT something we expect as pastors nor would we ever feel entitled to it.
But, gifts do come our way sometimes. People in our churches want a way to say ‘thank you’ for caring for their families, ministering to them, being there for them when they need us and leading them spiritually.
As someone who loves pastors and appreciates the sacrifices they make for their churches, I want to give you a list of gift ideas that your pastor will actually like.
Here’s the thing: most pastor gifts are so not good. Like so not good, and no pastor wants them. I know hundreds of pastors, and I can guarantee you, none of them are sitting around saying, “I sure wish someone would give me a calendar-paperweight-magnet with a deer and an an inspirational verse on it!”
So, if you really...
