In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Planning"

Handling A Hurricane Part 2

By Lance Witt on Nov 14, 2023

There will be a day that feels like a normal day, but there is a devastating hurricane about to hit your team. It is the hurricane of a moral failure by one of your team members. But if you have prepared, it won’t be a “freak out” moment, it will be a “let’s execute our hurricane plan” moment.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Tags: leadership, preparation, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership Failure, Moral failure, Overcoming Crisis, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Oct 24, 2019

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone  (view more)  (view less)

7 Popular Sermon Stories That Aren’t Actually True

By Trevin Wax on Feb 5, 2025

Pastors often repeat memorable illustrations that sound helpful but aren’t historically accurate. Here are seven common sermon legends worth retiring for the sake of truth.

Scripture: Mark 10:25

Tags: Preaching, Integrity, false teaching, urban legend, Illustrations, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 1

By Peter Mead on Aug 12, 2024

Many sermons feel flat because the text is only half-used. These common mistakes show how preachers drift from Scripture and how to return to full, faithful exposition.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2-3, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

How To Preach Children’s Sermons That Kids Beg To Attend

By Mark Pierce on Sep 15, 2020

Four practical guidelines to help pastors create engaging, simple, and spiritually meaningful children’s sermons that connect with both kids and adults in just 7-10 minutes.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Psalm 78:4, Matthew 19:14, Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Children, Preaching, preaching

What Do People Actually Remember From Your Sermon?

By Safiyah Fosua on Jan 19, 2024

Listeners forget most of what we preach. Discover three qualities that make sermons stick: fresh perspective, human depth, and deep rooting in Scripture.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 15:11-32, John 4:1-26, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, application, preaching, Application

Why Sermon Transitions Matter More Than You Think

By Peter Mead on Dec 1, 2020

Strong sermons require more than good content. Clear transitions help listeners follow the message, maintain momentum, and understand how each point fits together.

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24, Galatians 5:1, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, transition, effective, conclusion, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Pastors Can Repurpose Sermons For Greater Ministry Impact

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 7, 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)

Why Pastors Should Prepare Sermons Two Weeks In Advance

By Bob Hostetler on Sep 4, 2025

Preparing sermons weeks in advance can strengthen ministry, increase creativity, and reduce last-minute stress for pastors and church teams.

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22, 2 Timothy 4:2, Proverbs 21:5, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, advance, preaching, Preaching Church

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.

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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)