I’ve heard it said that to preach, you must: Read yourself full. Write yourself clear. Pray yourself hot. Preach yourself empty.
I appreciate the elegance and simplicity of this scheme, but as anyone who has tried to preach knows, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Like a fool, I’ve entered where angels fear to tread, attempting to give instructions on how to preach. Foolhardy or not, I think one has to start somewhere, and perhaps a list of steps might help some aspiring preacher along the way. Each of these points could easily be a chapter. Some could be a book. Even more could be a library of books—especially, for example, numbers 5, 9 and 10.
Still, you have to start somewhere.
Foundation & Training
- Gospel – Know and personally embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Spirit – Be fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
- Prayer – Engage in regular prayer, both at set times and spontaneously throughout the day.
- Bible – Develop a deep understanding of the Bible—its divine origin, central message, and the unique themes of its individual books. Be a diligent student of the Word.
- Languages – If possible, learn the original languages, Greek and Hebrew, to enhance your understanding of Scripture.
Preparation & Discovery
- Plan – If you preach regularly, plan your preaching schedule well in advance, seeking a balanced selection of Old and New Testament books and key biblical themes.
- Time – Dedicate uninterrupted study blocks (2–3 hours) for sermon preparation. Many preachers spend 15+ hours per week per sermon.
- Textual Unit – Select a passage to preach on. Depending on the section of the Bible from which you are preaching, it may be as small as a single verse or as large as several chapters. Some preachers have even taken on an entire book of the Bible in one sermon.
- Authorial Intent – Discover what the author wanted his original audience to do or understand in response to that textual unit. Do this by carefully studying that textual unit, its genre, surrounding context, and historical background.
- Timeless Message – Discover what that original message means for people now—its timeless message. Do this by noting how this message contributes to the overall storyline of the Bible (see #4 above). Bear in mind that God has given us his Word to (a) show us our ruined condition, (b) reveal the salvation offered in Christ, and (c) teach us a renewed way of living. Realize that some textual units may emphasize one of these purposes more than others.
Structure
- Proposition – Once you have discovered this timeless message, write it down in one clear, concise, and complete sentence (proposition), addressed to the audience to which you will speak.
- Outline – Construct a logical flow of thought (outline), composed of two to five phrases or sentences (main headings) that will (a) teach your audience the meaning of the textual unit, (b) support the proposition, and (c) unfold the timeless message bit by bit until the whole is delivered.
- Basic Moves of Preaching – Under each main heading, use these basic components:
- Lead-in – Connect the audience’s experience or interests to the truth of the text.
- State – Declare the key biblical truth in a complete sentence.
- Place – Point the audience to where this truth is found in Scripture.
- Demonstrate – Illustrate or prove the statement using:
- Analogy – Relate it to common experiences.
- Logic – Answer objections and clarify reasoning.
- Example – Show biblical or historical examples.
- Apply – Consider what changes your audience would make if they truly believed and obeyed this biblical truth.
Writing & Internalizing
- Write – Assemble your findings (from 10 – 13) into a written sermon manuscript, including:
- Introduction – A lead-in that arrests the audience’s attention, orients them to the passage, and leads them toward the proposition.
- Body – Your main headings, developed using the basic moves above.
- Conclusion – A summary of the message with a call to response.
- Memory – Memorize the flow of your sermon, including exactly how you will begin, so that you can deliver it from your heart instead of from a piece of paper.
- Talk it Through – Discuss your proposition and main points with someone who knows the Bible well to ensure that your sermon is clear and Biblical.
Preaching & Follow-Up
- Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to apply the message first to your own heart, and to work powerfully in the hearts of your hearers.
- Preach – Deliver your sermon with conviction, passion, and dependence on God.
- Pray Again – Thank God for the privilege of preaching and pray that his Word continues to bear fruit in the hearers’ lives.
- Get Feedback – Invite honest feedback from those who love God, know Scripture, and are committed to helping you grow as a preacher.
Jonathan M. Threlfall 