In Preaching Articles: "Connect The Dot"

Why Pastors Should Preach More From The Psalms

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2025

The book of Psalms offers rich opportunities for preaching that introduce overlooked passages, connect with diverse listeners, and encourage honest, heartfelt faith.

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-8, Psalm 73:25-28, Psalm 118:22-24, Luke 24:44, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Psalms, Worship, Gift, Preaching, teach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Common Preaching Mistake: No Hook

By Bruce D. Johnson on Aug 25, 2023

Many sermons lose listeners in the first few minutes. Effective preaching begins by connecting the message to the real struggles and questions of the congregation.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Matthew 13:34, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 9:22

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Homiletics, interest, hook, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Serving Slop In The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 24, 2021

Sherman Cox warns, "There's an inclination today to resort to tactics and tricks to manufacture a connection to the congregation that is neither real nor helpful."

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Insult, frown

Why Exhortation Alone Doesn’t Change Lives In Preaching

By Bob Hostetler on Jul 21, 2021

Many sermons emphasize exhortation, but lasting transformation requires more. Effective preaching connects with listeners, inspires the heart, and provides practical application.

Scripture: Romans 12:8, James 1:22, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 10:24, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, identification, inspiration, application, exhortation, preaching, Application  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ingredients Of A Home Run Sermon

By Rick Ezell on Feb 6, 2025

A home run sermon consistently delivers biblical substance, clarity, interest, and relevance. These four essential ingredients help preachers connect with real people.

Scripture: Mark 6:12

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preparation, Religion, Relevance, pastoral leadership, practical ministry, preaching, teaching, Pastoral Leadership, Practical Ministry, Preaching Skills  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Make Your Church More Accessible

By Rod Arnold on Mar 13, 2025

Learn eight practical, authentic ways to connect your church with your community, clarify your identity, and turn everyday members into bold inviters.

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Church, Compassion, Preaching, preaching, church, love  (view more)  (view less)

What Do Your People Want To Hear From The Pulpit?

By Ron Allen on Sep 13, 2020

Research with 263 churchgoers reveals what listeners truly want from sermons: biblical depth, real-life connection, and courage on hard issues.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:22, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

8 Tools To Explain A Biblical Passage Clearly

By Peter Mead on Dec 8, 2024

Why not simply read a bit of Bible and then say what you want to say, making the odd vague connection? This passes for preaching in many places.

Scripture: Genesis 49:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Bridging The Church Communication Gap

By Barry Whitlow on Jun 19, 2020

Seventy percent avoid church because our communication no longer connects. Reaching them requires bold change, cultural awareness, and clearer, relevant preaching.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Colossians 4:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

How To Preach Like You’re Having A Conversation

By Lane Sebring on Jan 20, 2026

Want your sermons to connect on a deeper level? Learn how a conversational preaching style can make your message more personal, relatable, and engaging.

Tags: authentic ministry, Authentic Ministry

Practical Ideas For Servant Evangelism

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 7, 2023

Servant evangelism uses simple acts of kindness to nudge people toward God. These practical, low-cost ideas help churches connect with their communities with high grace.

Scripture: John 4:5-26, John 15:9-17

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, Servant, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 11, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10

Tags: Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field, flowers, preaching, anxiety  (view more)  (view less)

Leading *chreasters* To Christ: 8 Ideas

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 17, 2025

Christmas and Easter bring many first-time church guests. Learn practical strategies churches can use to connect with holiday visitors and encourage them to return.

Scripture: Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, New, interest, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Was I So Hard On That Church I Visited?

By Karl Vaters on Jul 1, 2022

How might a newcomer view your church? What barriers may they face? What obstacles could be unintentionally in the way of them connecting and finding a place to belong?

Tags: leadership, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

7 Marks Of Great Preaching

By David J. Lose on Feb 3, 2025

Great preaching is more than speaking well—it engages Scripture, proclaims Christ, connects to real life, inspires imagination, and sends God’s people into the world.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, father's will, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, gospel proclamation, biblical preaching, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, sermon preparation, Biblical Preaching, Gospel Proclamation, Effective Communication  (view more)  (view less)