In Preaching Articles: "Structure"

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)

Why Church Creativity Needs Structure

By Adam Russell on Jun 10, 2025

Creativity in the church does not flourish in chaos. Like vines in a vineyard, creative gifts require structure and support to produce lasting fruit.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, John 15:5, Proverbs 29:18, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry Development, Fruit, leadership, creative, potential, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

12 Things Tedx Speakers Do That Preachers Don't

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Aug 31, 2021

"How in the world do each of these talks end up consistently blowing me away?"

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: structure, speaker, Preaching, Respect

A Good Sermon Feels Like A Good Story: 7 Minutes With Fred Craddock

By Fred Craddock on Jan 16, 2026

Fred Craddock literally wrote the book on preaching. He reminds us, "Movement is more important than structure."

Tags: Fred Craddock, preaching, Preaching, structure, Movement  (view more)  (view less)

Move Your Church From Consumers To Disciples

By Bill Couchenour on Mar 22, 2024

The greatest threat to the church may not be external opposition but internal consumerism. Biblical discipleship demands recalibrating expectations, structures, and leadership.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9, Colossians 3:17, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Attendance, Church Discipline, Leadership, Commitment, leadership, Body  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Clear Outline

By Joe Mckeever on May 17, 2025

Great preaching requires clarity and structure. A well-crafted sermon outline helps both the preacher and the congregation follow and remember the message.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Ezra 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, Homiletics, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Sermon Outline Serve You Or Do You Serve It?

By Joe Hoagland on Jan 20, 2026

Think you don’t need a sermon outline? Discover why using one can sharpen your message, increase clarity, and enhance your connection with the congregation.

Tags: Sermon Outline, Preaching Structure, sermon prep, Sermon outline, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching Tips, Preaching, preaching tips  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 2

By Peter Mead on Aug 14, 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)

Preaching Without Notes: Four Must-Have Skills

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 13, 2021

Preaching without notes requires discipline, clarity, and structure. Without a clear gospel claim, sermons drift and leave listeners with nothing to remember.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, Habakkuk 2:2, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Communication, preparation, communication

Making The Move To Noteless Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 7, 2021

Preachers can move from full manuscripts to notes or even no notes by simplifying structure, relying more on the text, and practicing intentional oral delivery.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Why Powerful Preaching Requires Getting Personal

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 24, 2023

Solid sermon structure matters, but preaching becomes powerful when pastors risk personal vulnerability and let real life carry biblical truth home.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 40:1-3, James 5:10-11, Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Story, storm, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The Future Of Preaching?

By Dwayne Milioni on Mar 2, 2024

Preaching has always adapted to cultural and technological change. Today’s shifts in technology, church structure, and culture are reshaping how preaching will function in the coming decades.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, American, Homiletics, preaching, church, Future, Church, future  (view more)  (view less)

Better Ingredients, Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2020

Even slight shifts in tone, focus, or structure can distort a sermon’s flavor. Guard the gospel, preach the text, and let Scripture, not your outline, set the menu.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral

Is There A Word From God? Preaching Messages That Come From Heaven

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 23, 2021

Anyone can assemble a sermon from Scripture, but faithful preaching seeks more than a well-structured outline. Pastors must seek the message God wants delivered to their people.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15, Jeremiah 37:17, Jeremiah 23:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 15:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Tips For Preaching Shorter And More Effective Sermons

By Troy Page on Jun 15, 2021

Long sermons often lose listeners before the message lands. Clear focus, careful editing, and intentional structure can help preachers deliver messages that are both shorter and more impactful.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:2, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Communication, better, short, communication