In Preaching Articles: "Tools"

8 Tools To Explain A Biblical Passage Clearly

By Peter Mead on Dec 8, 2024

Why not simply read a bit of Bible and then say what you want to say, making the odd vague connection? This passes for preaching in many places.

Scripture: Genesis 49:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Tools Small Group Leaders Need To Succeed

By John Gilman Ii on Aug 7, 2024

Small groups help churches grow because they help strangers become great friends. People stay at churches where they find friends because friendship covers a multitude of sins. Small groups involve us in others’ lives and really invest us in the church. These friendships eventually turn into deep, meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.

Tags: friendship, Small groups, church organization

6 Tools For Overcoming Preacher’s Block (You'll Love #3)

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 9, 2025

I've been preaching for 30 years. At some point I have to run out of things to say, right? Actually, at hundreds of points I have run out of things to say!

Tags: body clock, preaching, Preaching, Devotional Life, preacher's block  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Go Stale: One Pastor's Keep-It-Fresh Tool Kit

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 16, 2023

"At hundreds of points, I have run out of things to say." What to do next is key.

Scripture: Esther 9:22

Tags: preaching, Fresh, Preaching, stale, karl vaters, toolkit  (view more)  (view less)

Are We More Invested In Bringing People To Church Or Jesus?

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 3, 2021

Church attendance should be a tool to help people draw closer to Jesus. Not the other way around.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Preaching

How Do I Study A Specific Topic In The Bible?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 6, 2022

Studying the Bible does not need to be complex. Simple tools can help us glean amazing insights from the word.

Scripture: Proverbs 2:3-6, Jeremiah 29:13, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: BIBLE STUDY, Personal Growth, writing, spiritual growth, Bible Study, Spiritual Discipline, Journaling, Concordance, bible study  (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)

Six Checkpoints For Jokes In A Sermon

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Aug 18, 2021

Humor can be a powerful tool in preaching, but used carelessly it undermines the weight of the gospel. Six guardrails every preacher needs before reaching for a laugh.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-4, Luke 8:22-25, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Proverbs 26:18-19, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Good News, Appropriate, joking, insensitive, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Speak To A Hardened Heart With Truth And Grace

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 10, 2021

Preaching to a hardened heart is one of the hardest tasks in ministry. Scripture shows that prayer, humility, and faithful exposition are the most powerful tools God uses to soften hearts.

Scripture: John 16:8, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:20, 1 Corinthians 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: audience, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth, Preaching, difficult  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay At One Church For 40+ Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2026

Discover timeless wisdom on staying rooted in one church for 40 years. Learn key habits, mindset shifts, and relational tools that sustain long-term ministry.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Conflict Resolution, how to stay, preaching, Church Leadership, Ministry Longevity  (view more)  (view less)

Four Essentials For Sermon Prep

By Artie Davis on Feb 15, 2023

Effective sermon preparation depends on shared insight, good tools, disciplined scheduling, and prayer. These four essentials help pastors save time without losing spiritual focus.

Scripture: Acts 1:10-24, Proverbs 15:22, Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 4:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: ministry, preaching, Ministry, Preaching, Team, Essential, Time  (view more)  (view less)

3 Things To Do When You’re Stuck In A Sermon Prep And Writing Rut

By Brandon Kelley on Oct 30, 2022

"Sermon prep and sermon writing can be hard. Often times, it can even be painful. Anything seems better to be doing when we get stuck in a sermon prep and writing rut. But we all know that the work is worth it. The pain is worth it. The plodding is worth it."

Tags: Teaching, Pray, writing, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, tools, Preaching Rut, Sermon Prep, teaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Preach Better With SermonCentral And Accordance

By Rick Mansfield on Jan 22, 2021

SermonCentral and Accordance Bible Software make for a great sermon prep and preaching combination. Sermons and other content from SermonCentral can be imported into Accordance User Tools and User Notes for sermon prep, live preaching, or archived for later reference.

Tags: Accordance

How Would Jesus Respond Online?

By Michael Kelley on Dec 17, 2021

We are probably more responsive today than ever before, partly because we now have the tools to respond publicly to anyone or anything, and at any time we see fit. We can post, like, tweet, and retweet, and we are delighted to do so. We love to respond. No, we need to respond.

Scripture: Luke 23:9, Matthew 27:12-14, Isaiah 53:7

Tags: Jesus, conflict, Silence, fixing eyes on Jesus