In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Engagement"

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 13, 2024

Preaching suffers when structure is imposed, cross-references take over, application is neglected, or commentary replaces proclamation. Let the text lead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Jeremiah 23:29, Luke 24:32, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, Homiletics, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Waste Your Creative Energy In Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on Jul 20, 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

7 Must-Ask Questions For Your Next Sermon Series

By John Percival on Sep 14, 2020

Powerful questions to ask yourself during the sermon preparation process.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching

Do We Owe Every Wedding Ceremony A Fresh Sermon?

By Nathan Aaseng on Jun 4, 2023

The challenge is to make the wedding couple feel that the homily is not just a canned one, pulled out of the file and dusted off for the 35th time.

Tags: Wedding, Fresh, Preaching, preaching

Ten Strategic Insights Into Shaping Your Next Sermon Series

By Herbert Cooper on Jan 27, 2023

Herbert Cooper, senior pastor of People's Church in Oklahoma City, shares strategic insights into making a sermon series work.

Tags:

How Does A Sermon Differ From A Self-Help Video?

By Peter Mead on May 15, 2023

When you finish preaching, where is your listeners' final focus? The answer makes all the difference.

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Tags: Preaching, Self, focus, preaching

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 22, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

20 Mother's Day Quotes To Warm Up Your Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on May 7, 2021

Insight, warmth--and humor--to use when you preach for this special occasion.

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-24

Tags: Preaching, mother's day, Motherhood, Quotes

Do You Have The Courage To Tear Your Sermon In Half?

By John Mcclure on Oct 28, 2024

Overcome slow starts by taking a knife to your opening!

Tags: Preaching, advice, rehash, cutting room, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them?

By Ron Forseth on Feb 24, 2023

"Should we use someone else's sermon?" I would say that in many, many cases, the answer can legitimately be "Yes."

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Quotes, citation, e, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Differences Between Borrowing And Stealing Someone Else's Sermon

By James Emery White on Sep 26, 2021

Good communicators borrow material all the time. But how should you communicate your sources of ideas and inspiration?

Tags: Steal, Preaching, Borrow, Plagiarism, Quotes  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 3, 2021

It seems like a no-brainer, yet preachers rarely seek direct input from listeners about how we might improve our preaching.

Scripture: Philippians 1:5-10

Tags: Preaching, challenge, point of view, listener

What To Do With Feedback From Sunday's Sermon—10 Lifelines

By Peter Mead on Aug 18, 2025

Not all feedback is created equal. How you handle it can shape your preaching.

Scripture: Job 31:1-10, Acts 3:10-17

Tags: Preaching, Reality, Lifeline, Feedback, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If You Overpack Your Sermon, Your Listeners Are In For A Bumpy Ride

By Chris Surber on Aug 29, 2025

Perhaps your sermon outline is actually a sermon series. Can you tell the difference?

Scripture: Acts 5:15-25

Tags: Preaching, Content, Logic, Research, central point, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 5, 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)