In Preaching Articles: "Sermon Preparation"

Rightly Dividing The Preaching Load

By Larry Osborne on Mar 19, 2025

Sharing the pulpit can strengthen a church, sustain its pastor, and deepen preaching impact by developing trusted co-preachers instead of a one-man show.

Scripture: Acts 20:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Peter 5:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sermon Preparation, sermon preparation

Screenwriting As Sermon Preparation

By Jeff Chaves on Apr 25, 2024

Expand your sermon prep and presentation skills through the art of screenwriting.

Tags: Teaching, pastor, Presentation, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, teaching, presentation, Sermon prep, screenwriting  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways Preaching Changes The Preacher

By Ben Reed on Sep 20, 2024

Preaching shapes the preacher by deepening prayer, study, humility, worship, and dependence on God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:16, Psalm 119:18, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation

Why Your Sermon Lost Me: Five Reasons People Check Out

By Patrick Holden on Sep 3, 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 7, 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)

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 5, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, working together, collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Step-By-Step Approach To Efficient Sermon Preparation

By Brandon Kelley on Jun 27, 2022

A Step-by-Step Approach to Efficient Sermon Preparation

Tags: Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Sermons More Memorable

By Charles Arn on Nov 24, 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 8, 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 9, 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 19, 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)

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Commentary, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker  (view more)  (view less)

3 Indispensable Preaching Truths

By Tim Spivey on Feb 21, 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)

How To Make Sermon Preparation A Community Effort

By Todd Hiestand on Nov 20, 2020

Preaching is often treated as a solitary task, but collaborative sermon preparation can sharpen content, improve delivery, and strengthen church community.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 10:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Community, family, Preaching, Group, encouragement, community, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

4 Preaching Myths That Undermine Sermon Preparation

By Brian Orme on Jan 27, 2024

Wrong assumptions about sermon preparation can quietly shape a preacher’s mindset. Recognizing common myths helps pastors prepare messages with greater clarity, freedom, and faithfulness.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:12, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Proverbs 15:22, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hurt, Preaching, myth, hinder, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)