From: PreachingWoman.com http://www.preachingwoman.com "Do you think we should use the King James version when we preach? Or does it really matter if we use something like the NIV?" Find out inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93323&view=post&blogid=7646 Tue, 1 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Preachers determine the meaning of scripture so that they can convey that meaning to the congregation in the preaching moment. Preachers go to considerable lengths to make sure that they preach the truth and not error. They study the passage within the context of the chapter, book, and even the whole cannon of scripture. In many cases, the preacher derives valid and truthful points from the text and then present those vital truths to the people. This is good, but often when you take the points from the story, you remove the ability of the people to fully experience the truth that you are presenting. But before the people can experience the text, we have to both understand and experience the text ourselves. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93324&view=post&blogid=7646 Tue, 1 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400 I have referred to the power that lies in the parables. They are like dynamite that can blow up at any time. We do well to tread lightly around these powerful stories that attack our complacency. Sometimes when I say things like that, preachers chalk this up to simple hyperbole. They see the parables simply as a story that illustrates various aspects of truth, like many other stories. Find out more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93326&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400 You know, many times we church folks act as though we have done our duty when we sit in a congregation and listen to a preacher preach or a choir sing. We may participate. We may sing heartily. We may even get a chance to preach to the people of God. But then we go home. And what happens at home? A plethora of television, sports, games, fun, and just life. And we should live our life, but has church made a difference in our lives? Does it affect our lives in any meaningful way? And more specifically, does it make a difference in how we relate to the hurting one? Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93327&view=post&blogid=7646 Thu, 1 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400 People expect preachers to read, understand, and preach from the text of scripture. In some of our ecclesial and ethnic traditions we are expected to powerfully "tell the story" as we have heard and understood it in the text. This is a call to preach both the unfamiliar as well as the familiar stories. You know the stories that we have heard on many occasions. Find out inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93328&view=post&blogid=7646 Mon, 1 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 You have been called to preach, but it seems that your opportunities to preach are slim to none. You see your other associate colleagues who have more invitations than they can even fill and yet you have only preached twice in the last year. You are beginning to wonder if the call is real. You also might be allowing envy to cause you to talk about other preachers who are getting invitations. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93329&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Perhaps the most effective thing a preacher can do to strengthen the connection between the congregation and the scripture is to interpret the Bible with your senses. Here you use all of your senses when you seek to understand the scripture. Yes I mean touch, sight, taste, smell, and hear. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93330&view=post&blogid=7646 Wed, 1 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 OK, let's get into some sermon philosophy. The question for today, "Can you write a sermon down?" You may think so, but I am not talking about whether to use a manuscript in preaching. No, this question gets at a fundamental idea that I hope can help your preaching. That idea is that preachers do not write down a sermon. They write down ideas and thoughts to help them in the sermon moment. Some preachers write down everything they will say, but that is still not a sermon until you are in the preached moment when the sermon is delivered. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93331&view=post&blogid=7646 Tue, 1 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Pastors often will preach to issues that are not really problems in their congregation if they don't follow some plan. For example, in some denominational traditions legalism is seen as a problem. So using a one size fits all mentality, the preacher simply assumes that her or his church has this problem and preaches against legalism. However, even in the most legalistic denominations, one can still find churches where that is not a problem. So how do you go about putting together a plan? There are basically three steps. Find them out inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93332&view=post&blogid=7646 Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 Your sermons need to have one main point. There may be sub-points, and there may be supporting points, but there is [or should] only one main point. If your sermon has more than one major point, the people will tire of your message and not be able to remember what the sermon was about. They will subconsciously attempt to determine the main point. When they realize that your sub-points are overpowering your main point, they will either give up, or grab hold of one of your sub-points and assume that is the point of your message. So, how can you help people remember your sermon? Find out inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93333&view=post&blogid=7646 Sun, 1 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0400 I was talking to a lay-member the other day who was very excited about a sermon he had heard. The member gave me all four of the points of the sermon and was excited about applying the sermon to his daily life. Interestingly enough, he searched on the internet to try to find this sermon and other sermons by the same preacher. So What did the preacher do? Find out more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93334&view=post&blogid=7646 Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0400 You want to preach a sermon with limited reliance on notes. If you need notes, however, you must keep them somewhere. Where do you keep them? In this article we will discuss four of these places. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93335&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 In this article we will give four foci of an affective sermon appeal. Preachers should give attention to each of these groups if the call to action is going to be effective. Great preaching calls people to do something, the appeal is when you make the call to follow where the sermon leads them. Read more side... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93336&view=post&blogid=7646 Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 A while back, Peter Mead at the Biblical Preaching blog did a series on preaching that he called "finishing weak." That was a good idea that I wanted to "riff" on. A lot of his ways of "finishing weak" could be reduced down to a few thoughts. These are two ways you should not end your sermon. Find out what they are inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=93322&view=post&blogid=7646 Fri, 1 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Over the years, some people have said that I spend too much time talking about and thinking about style. These individuals say that what is important is not the "style" but the "content." They argue that one of the greatest problems with most preaching [especiallay African American] is spending too much time worrying about the style. Find out more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=74029&view=post&blogid=7646 Tue, 1 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Someone asked me, "How can I find the perfect sermon illustration?" To answer this question, I would first say that all of the resources you need for a perfect sermon illustration are around you. First, never forget the Bible as a primary resource for narratives and stories to illustrate your points. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=73537&view=post&blogid=7646 Tue, 1 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0400 Understanding Scripture is an exciting and crucial way to mature as a Christian, grow in discernment (being able to more readily spot aberrant theology), and equip oneself with the Word for witnessing. We all know we need to read God's Word to be fed spiritually, but have you ever given thought to how you can read it to best glean the intended meaning from the text? Theologians call this science of biblical interpretation "hermeneutics". http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=72127&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0400 A narrative text is that passage of Scripture that conveys a story line. It's necessary that we are clear and persuade to our audience to understand that the stories of the Bible are not Disney fantacies or fairy tales, but the are real accounts of historical events that are applicable as examples towards spiritual development. With that said, as a preacher is it essential to retell the story in such a mannner that it is believable, comes alive, and demonstrates relevance. Wayne McDill, writer of 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching states that it is not a violation of the sacredness of Scripture to retell its stories imaginativesly. However, he says, it may be a violation of biblical intent to tell them in such a way thtat nobody can believe them. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=66459&view=post&blogid=7646 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 It is so important that we as ministers of the gospel have a thorough understanding of Jesus and the atoning work He has done on behalf of the world. Therefore, for convenience, we will create bulleted points to help you as we journey to learn more about our Savior, His name, life and work. Please know that none of the information these articles presented in this series are intended to be exhaustive. We are providing a very general framework for your ease of use and learning. So, let's get started! Click the link for Part II: The Office of Christ. http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=62426&view=post&blogid=7646 Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0400 In this exciting series, we will help you prepare to effectively preach Jesus by reviewing some of His names, His life, history and various other aspects of who He is. It is so important that we as ministers of the gospel have a thorough understanding of Jesus and the atoning work He has done on behalf of the world. Therefore, for convenience, we will create bulleted points to help you as we journey to learn more about our Savior, His name, life and work. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=61809&view=post&blogid=7646 Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Today many people are experiencing a deep desire to know Jesus Christ in a more personal and fulfilling way. Therefore, we are beginning our Preaching Jesus Series. In this exciting series, we will help you prepare to effectively preach Jesus by reviewing some of His names, His life, history and various other aspects of who He is. It is so important that we as ministers of the gospel have a thorough understanding of Jesus and the atoning work He has done on behalf of the world. Therefore, for convenience, we will create bulleted points to help you as we journey to learn more about our Savior, His name, life and work. Find out more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=60354&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 What are Divisions? Well, divisions are the main sections of a sermon that has an orderly structure. These sections can be stated during the delivery of the sermon, or they may not. However, it's important to know that a properly planned message will have very distinct sections, and each section helps provide clarity to the unity of the message. We will provide you with three major reasons why you should ensure that you utilize divisions properly when planning your sermons. Find out more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=58901&view=post&blogid=7646 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 What are Divisions? Well, divisions are the main sections of a sermon that has an orderly structure. These sections can be stated during the delivery of the sermon, or they may not. However, it's important to know that a properly planned message will have very distinct sections, and each section helps provide clarity to the unity of the message. We will provide you with three major reasons why you should ensure that you utilize divisions properly when planning your sermons. http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=57507&view=post&blogid=7646 Fri, 1 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Many people that you may minister to have question marks as to God's character and how they relate to Him. Therefore, we want to provide you with a non-exhaustive frame work regarding God's attributes (aspects of God's character) in order to show how God is like us. Over the next few installments, we will be discussing the attributes of God. However, please know that these discussions or the listings that we will provide will not cover everything that can be said or known about God's character, because only He is all knowing. But, our goal is to provide a general categorical listing for you to further study and fellowship with God. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=53746&view=post&blogid=7646 Thu, 1 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0400 One thing that is helpful to remember when creating sermons is that sermons are intended to be preached and not read word for word. The point of a great sermon is for it to have an immediate impact upon your listening audience; whether in person, via video, or audio. In order to realize this impact, your thoughts, ideas, and revelation should be well structured, organized, and outlined to ensure that the main points are highlighted and conveyed to your listening audience. Read more inside... http://www.preachingwoman.com/Sermon-Helps?articleid=51819&view=post&blogid=7646 Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0400