In Preaching Articles: "Preparation"

Why My Sermon Notes Don't Rhyme, And What I Do Instead

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 9, 2023

For generations, rhymes and alliterations were expected from public speakers. It made them seem credible, authoritative and prepared. Not any more.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-5

Tags: Preaching, phony, sermon notes, rhyme, insincere, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Positive Ways To Respond To Negative Criticism

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 26, 2021

Some criticism is unequivocally bad criticism. It is destructive, not based 100% in truth, and is based in bad intentions. Prepare yourself for this kind of criticism.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, criticism, preaching

Don’t Waste Your Creative Energy In Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on Jul 21, 2020

Effective preaching requires both discipline and creativity. Knowing when to restrain creativity and when to unleash it can transform sermon preparation and delivery.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ezra 7:10, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preaching, teaching

Why Preachers Must Work At Their Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 2, 2021

Some believe that if a preacher is truly called, preparation and training are unnecessary. In reality, faithful preaching requires both divine calling and diligent effort.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Corinthians 15:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, the word, pious, notion, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Trust Your Stuff: Two Ways To Know When Your Sermon Is Ready

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 13, 2023

You could study and prep for 100 hours and still find something wrong with the sermon. Eventually, it's time to stand and deliver.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:20-30, Judges 6:1-16

Tags: Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

6 Benefits To Not Changing Churches

By Dean Shriver on Jul 10, 2021

Staying with one congregation models commitment, grows maturity, deepens preaching, builds trust, reveals generational fruit, and prepares pastors for final accountability.

Scripture: Colossians 3:13-14, Colossians 3:13, John 10:11-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Church, mistakes, affliction, Leave, ministry, church  (view more)  (view less)

Francis Chan's – Seven Questions To Ask Before You Preach

By Francis Chan on Jan 18, 2024

Faithful preaching flows from love for God and people. These seven diagnostic questions help preachers prepare messages marked by truth, power, and humility.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15, Zechariah 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching, Christian teaching, Christian Teaching

16 Tips For Better Easter Impact

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 1, 2021

Easter is the most strategic opportunity for churches to reach new people. These practical outreach ideas can help churches prepare well and welcome guests.

Scripture: Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, Acts 2:41, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter, Outreach, Church Growth, Palm Sunday, Impact  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Tips For Preaching From An Ipad

By Brandon Hilgemann on Jan 12, 2023

Many pastors are turning to tablets for sermon notes. Preaching from an iPad can be helpful, but it requires preparation to avoid distractions and technical problems.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Technology, Preaching, ipad, backup, preaching, Church Technology  (view more)  (view less)

Spirit-Guided Preaching: Why Faith Matters In The Pulpit

By Ron Forseth on Dec 10, 2021

Effective preaching ultimately depends on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Faithful preachers learn to prepare, preach, and depend on God every step of the way.

Scripture: John 5:19, John 8:28-29, John 6:63, Romans 14:23, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit, Guide, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

9 Preaching Mistakes You Must Avoid

By Julian Freeman on Jun 3, 2025

Preachers often grow most when they honestly evaluate their weaknesses. Recognizing common mistakes in sermon preparation and delivery helps pastors refine their preaching.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 6:4, James 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, mistakes, Enough, biblical preaching, preaching, Biblical Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 6, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

7 Marks Of Great Preaching

By David J. Lose on Feb 4, 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)

How Pastors Can Repurpose Sermons For Greater Ministry Impact

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 8, 2021

Sermon preparation takes hours, but many pastors use the message only once. Repurposing sermons through blogs, social media, and studies extends their impact.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:5-6, Psalm 78:4

Tags: Preaching, Sound, podcast, preaching, Digital Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Tony Evans On The Power In Preaching

By Tony Evans on Feb 19, 2024

Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas gives his thoughts on preaching to men, sermon preparation and staying fresh for the long haul.

Tags: Man, Preaching, Masculinity, manliness, Tony Evans, preaching  (view more)  (view less)