How to Preach 101
1) Pray first, throughout, and last –
2) Study– do all the exegetical work (separate document on how to exegete a text here)
- Be willing to invest blood, sweat and prayers in this step – 15 – 20 hours at least.
- Take lots of notes
- Think of illustrations as they come to mind
3) Ask, what is the BIG IDEA?
- Have to be able to reduce sermon to a single, simple, succinct sentence people can take home
- Not a topic, but an idea (Ex: "The Lord is my Shepherd" vs. "God provides all that I need")
- Move from the Exegetical Big idea to the Homiletical Big Idea: Example: Romans 5:18 teaches that in Christ all have been justified (exgetical) - how much is "all"? (homiletical); Example: In this Great Controversy, God is calling for greater faith (Rev 14:12) - The intensification of force is a call for the intensification of faith (homiletical).
- Make it re-memorable
4) Prepare the flow & transitions:
-
As you write your sermon, ask three questions:
- What does this mean? (Explanation)
- Is it true? (Validation)
- What difference doe sit make? (Application)
5) Write an oral manuscript:
- Oral writing: Big idea = you will speak as you write, when you write as you speak
- Writing brings precision to the language, so that you know what you want to say and how to say it
- Write in outline format, with lots of indentation and clear numbering so that the eye can follow the progression easily
- Later add oral markings to your manuscripts (voice inflections, emphasis, etc.) using circles, stars, highlighters, etc.
- Introduction - avoid gimmicks, keep i tshort, initiate eye contact immediately
- Illustrations - nice but not necessary, avoid too many of them, avoid internet stories or well-circulated stories, don't write a sermon around them
- Conclusions - never introduce new material, don't hint and tease (land the plane!), make an appeal that gives pepole a chance to accept a closer walk with God at the end that is specific, measurable, doable.
6) Practice
- Rehearse –out loud—with pen and pencil! – go back through and edit
- Mmorize the flow so you don't have to look down– if it’s too hard, that means your sermon is not clear and the flow needs to be better thought-out
7) Delivery
- Maintain good eye contact (giving equal attention to each side)
- Be natural and at ease
- Pay attention to the congregation – watch their facial expressions, etc. – know when to clarify, move on, slow down, etc.
- Avoid distracting habits (too many hand gestures, pacing, etc.