In Preaching Articles: "Study Scripture"

Your Preaching Can Help Your Congregation Embrace (Biblical) Change

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 21, 2025

The Scriptures command us to do more than repeat what's already been done, and to look for God to do what He's never done before.

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18

Tags: Trust, Preaching, embrace, biblical change, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Biblical Preaching Is More Than Quoting The Bible

By Jeff K. Clarke on Jan 6, 2026

Not all ideas in the Bible are biblical. Discover how reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus helps us rightly interpret God’s redemptive story.

Tags: hermeneutics, biblical theology, Bible interpretation, Bible Interpretation, Christ Centered Reading, Biblical Theology, Hermeneutics, Narrative Theology  (view more)  (view less)

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 9, 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)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 11, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10

Tags: Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field, flowers, preaching, anxiety  (view more)  (view less)

Powerful Preaching Means Transformation, Not Information

By James Scott on Jul 12, 2020

Being informed by Scripture can still leave lives unchanged. Biblical Christianity calls for Christ to be formed within us, producing real transformation, not mere knowledge.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:27, James 1:22-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Transformation, preaching, Pastoral Theology

10 Ways To Authenticate Your Preaching

By Jared Moore on Aug 10, 2020

Your hearers often hear you before they hear the Scriptures. If your people know you, they’ll have a better basis for understanding your sermons.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Service, Humility, Preaching, Biblical, Context, authentic  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Preaching More Practical And Relevant

By Rick Ezell on Jan 30, 2025

Practical preaching requires more than exegesis of Scripture. These five steps help you exegete your people—making sermons clearer, warmer, and more genuinely relevant.

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 10:4

Tags: Preaching, Culture, Self, Relevance, audience, application, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

A Preaching Q&a With David Platt

By David Platt on Feb 14, 2025

David Platt explains how Scripture governs his preaching, preparation, and pastoral priorities, emphasizing clarity, Christ-centered exposition, and total dependence on God’s Word.

Tags: Learning, BIBLICAL TEACHING, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Biblical Teaching, David Platt  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 6, 2025

New believers thrive when they learn God’s love, grace, Scripture, prayer, community, and Christ centered living early. These ten lessons safeguard a healthy start.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

Better Ingredients, Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on May 31, 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

Paul And The Necessity Of The Local Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 23, 2020

Claims that Paul operated apart from the local church collapse under Scripture. His life and ministry show that God’s work is rooted in committed church membership.

Scripture: Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:26-28, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: local church, Local Church

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)

Good & Bad Cases Of Church Discipline

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 10, 2025

A real church incident exposes why believers distrust discipline. Yet Scripture shows discipline is meant to heal, not harm, calling us to restore one another with Christ’s presence.

Tags: pastoral care, Pastoral Care

A Weekly Rhythm For Sermon Prep When You’re Bi-Vocational

By Todd Hiestand on May 17, 2020

A bi-vocational pastor can’t spend thirty hours a week on a sermon. Here’s a realistic weekly rhythm that keeps you rooted in Scripture while living normal life.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:16, Luke 24:32, James 1:22, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bi Vocational Ministry

Do You Believe In Miracles? Part 2

By Lance Witt on Jun 12, 2024

"The story of 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team’s pursuit of the gold medal was one of the greatest Cinderella stories in all of sports history. But it was far more than just a great sporting event. It is also a great case study in what makes a great team. And the principles apply to church teams as well."

Tags: Sacrifice, family, Perseverance, leadership, Teamwork, hard work, Resilience, Healthy Teams, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)