In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Prep"

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)

9 Lies Pastors Believe While They’re Preaching

By Ben Reed on Sep 6, 2020

Pastors battle pride, insecurity, and distraction in the pulpit. Here are nine common lies and a call back to humility and faithfulness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Galatians 1:10, James 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

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

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 6—engage The Heart (Emotion)

By Charles Stone on Nov 16, 2021

Engage the heart is the sixth instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 11:35, Luke 10:21

Tags: Preaching, pastor, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep  (view more)  (view less)

Should You Invest In Bible Software?

By Peter Mead on May 12, 2025

Free tools are helpful, but serious study often benefits from investing in robust Bible software that supports original language work and research depth.

Scripture: Luke 10:35-41, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 6:4, Ezra 7:10, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Computer, Preaching, software, Prep, preaching, Original Languages  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Sermons More Memorable

By Charles Arn on Nov 23, 2020

Research has found that we remember less than 10 percent of the unsupported spoken word.

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11, Matthew 13:34, Mark 4:33, Luke 24:27, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retention, Improve, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Plagiarism: How Preachers Can Use Sources Without Stealing

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Dec 7, 2020

Faithful preaching often leads pastors to similar conclusions from Scripture. But using sources wisely differs greatly from plagiarizing another preacher’s sermon.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Exodus 20:15, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, work, Plagiarism, original, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Without Notes

By Ted Smith on Dec 8, 2020

Every preacher will eventually need to preach without notes. Learn three practical approaches that help pastors communicate clearly and confidently when notes are unavailable.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 4:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, memorize, note, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching From The Overflow Requires Structure

By Joe Mckeever on May 18, 2021

Preaching from passion and spiritual overflow can energize a sermon, but without structure it often becomes difficult for listeners to follow and impossible for the preacher to reproduce.

Scripture: Psalm 23:5, Luke 6:27-35, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, overflow, problem, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 26, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: Preaching, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

The Birth Of A Sermon

By Brady Boyd on Aug 31, 2020

It's Monday, and just when you're ready to relax from the weekend, you realize you have to start the sermon process all over again.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:27, Psalm 1:2-3, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Spiritual Discipline, preaching

Sex In The Sermon

By Melissa Kruger on Jul 8, 2025

It may be a sensitive area, but faithful preaching of all areas of Scripture produces faithful followers in all areas of life.

Tags: Preaching, sexuality, preaching

3 Indispensable Preaching Truths

By Tim Spivey on Feb 20, 2026

Experience teaches pastors that preaching involves far more than crafting a sermon. Faithful preaching shapes hearts, theology, and the direction of the church.

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Hebrews 4:12, John 6:68, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Truth, Preaching, effective, Sermon Preparation, ministry, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Last-Minute Messages: How To Craft A Short Devotional With No Notice

By Rob O'lynn on Sep 6, 2021

"Hey, Pastor, could you say a few words..." Use this strategy to deliver short, meaningful talks with little or no prep time.

Scripture: Luke 19:1-19

Tags: Preaching, picture, passage, point

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Dec 31, 2023

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Should Be A Life-Changing Sermon

By Paul David Tripp on Oct 19, 2025

This will probably get me into trouble: I’m persuaded that there’s too much mediocrity in the church when it comes to pastors preparing and delivering their sermons.

Tags: Preaching, preaching