In Preaching Articles: "Be Prepared"

Screenwriting As Sermon Preparation

By Jeff Chaves on Apr 24, 2024

Expand your sermon prep and presentation skills through the art of screenwriting.

Tags: Teaching, pastor, Presentation, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, teaching, presentation, Sermon prep, screenwriting  (view more)  (view less)

Preparation And Trust: A Preacher's Tug Of War

By Todd Hahn on Oct 23, 2024

There's a natural tension between preparation and trust, but one line we should never cross is trusting in our own preparation.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Trust, Preaching, preparation, Tension, Tug Of War, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 4, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, working together, collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Rightly Dividing The Preaching Load

By Larry Osborne on Mar 18, 2025

Sharing the pulpit can strengthen a church, sustain its pastor, and deepen preaching impact by developing trusted co-preachers instead of a one-man show.

Scripture: Acts 20:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Peter 5:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sermon Preparation, sermon preparation

How Did John The Baptist Prepare For Christmas?

By Jimmy Gentry on Dec 9, 2025

How would John the Baptizer respond if he were to show up during Advent in any given city in America today?

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Tags: Christmas, Worship, repentance, prepare, john the baptist, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Everyone Else Is Preparing For Christmas--Are You?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 18, 2025

It's not too early! Brandon Cox shares his ideas for a Christmas sermon series sure to connect with your congregation.

Tags: Christmas, Hope, Preaching, prepare, receiving, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 9, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Commentary, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker  (view more)  (view less)

A Step-By-Step Approach To Efficient Sermon Preparation

By Brandon Kelley on Jun 26, 2022

A Step-by-Step Approach to Efficient Sermon Preparation

Tags: Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways Preaching Changes The Preacher

By Ben Reed on Sep 19, 2024

Preaching shapes the preacher by deepening prayer, study, humility, worship, and dependence on God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:16, Psalm 119:18, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 30, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Why You Shouldn’t Prepare Sermons Alone

By Brian Croft on Sep 7, 2020

Inviting trusted church members into sermon preparation strengthens clarity, application, humility, and pastoral effectiveness.

Scripture: Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 20:18, Proverbs 27:6, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Accountability, preaching

Derwin Gray: I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 15, 2020

Are your dance moves timeless or hopelessly out of date? Pastor Derwin Gray has five suggestions.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching

Does Your Preaching Prepare People For God's Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 29, 2025

We often fall into the trap of preaching designed to merely provide tools to become more successful in this present world rather than becoming ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, prepare, Confront, God's Kingdom, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Do You Prepare Your Child For Adulthood?

By Brian Croft on Jan 1, 2023

Many of you knew I was on a trip with my 13 year-old son recently. What was the occasion? My wife and I promised each of our children when they turned 13 years old, they would get to take a special trip with one of us.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Tags: protection, Shepherd, parenting, discipling, Role of Men, Christian fathers, teach children, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Why Your Sermon Lost Me: Five Reasons People Check Out

By Patrick Holden on Sep 2, 2020

Five common communication mistakes that cause audiences to disengage and how preachers can keep listeners attentive and responsive.

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8, Ecclesiastes 12:10, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)