How To Prepare a Sermon or Bible Study

Expository Preaching and Topical Sermons

Hello, in this video I'm going to talk about how to prepare a sermon. There is no one correct way to do it, but this is a way, so hopefully someone will find it helpful. The first thing you should understand is the difference between expository preaching and topical sermons.

A pastor who can preach week after week, he may go through a book of the Bible, preaching chapter by chapter, verse by verse, explaining the original meaning and context. That is considered expository preaching.

If you're not a pastor, if you can't preach again and again, then you're probably going to do a topical sermon, which is fine, but topical sermons are done a little differently. You choose a topic, and then you find different passages in the Bible, all that speak to your subject.

So instead of one main topic explaining, going in depth with the original meaning and context, a topical sermon is more a broad survey of different passages.

Choosing a Subject, Studying the Text, and Seeking the Spirit's Leading

Where do you start?

Prayerfully choose a subject or a text. Read the text or multiple texts. Read them many times, become familiar with them. Also study so you know what the text is saying. Ask questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Is a doctrine being taught? What doctrine?

Who wrote it?

Who are they writing to? Why are they writing this? How does this apply to me? Does this apply to me? You can read commentaries, examine study Bibles, search online. Bible Hub is a good source for online commentaries, but remain open to the Spirit's leading.

Outlining the Sermon with Exhortation, Explanation, and Application

You start writing the sermon, and you can do it word for word, or you can write general thoughts, but at least form an outline. When you preach, you need to include, okay, your sermon has to include exhortation, explanation, and application.

You can't just read Bible verses. You can't just string passages together. You need to be able to expound upon the text. You need to be able to explain the passage. Tell the people what truth is being taught, and how does it apply to their life?

Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Building the sermon. The introduction should be two to three minutes at the most, but let people know what they should expect to hear. This is common advice. Tell the people what you're going to tell them.

Tell it to them, and then at the end, tell them what you told them. People need to know what the sermon is about. After the introduction, read your text of Scripture. Form the body of the sermon. This usually contains three or four points, or one point that is reinforced three or four different ways.

The tool of alliteration is not necessary, but it is an effective way to help people remember the points of your sermon. Alliteration is when your points all begin with the same letter or have a similar sound.

Be sure to make application during your sermon. I can't stress this enough. For example, James 1 .22 says, but be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. The application would be if you asked the congregation something like this, are you a doer of the word or are you a hearer only?

This way, it makes the text real to them. It's not just words on a page. It applies to them. If you can, it's helpful to build up to one main point in your sermon. These things are not required, but it's helpful.

All of the verses, all of your illustrations, it should all be headed in some direction. So one main overarching point. Your sermon should have the climax, what you're building up to. The conclusion, bring it all together.

Now that the congregation has heard the sermon, what should they do about it? If you don't make application during the sermon, you absolutely have to make it at the end. Here are some helpful hints. Remember the gospel.

This is what it's all about. The gospel should be included in every sermon in some way, shape, or form, because you never know who might be listening. Fine tuning your message. Go over your sermon several times, and as you go, make those changes that need to be.

Made.

Prayer, Sermon Length, Cross-Referencing, and Public Speaking

Prayer.

You should pray at least once, either before or after your sermon. Before and after is good also. Sermon time. 20 minutes should be the minimum. 45 minutes would probably be the maximum, depending on the setting.

So shoot for about a half an hour. After about 35 minutes, most people's minds start to drift. Cross-referencing. The more you are in the word, the more things will come to mind. Consider using a Strong's Concordance.

I've also found blueletterbible .org to be very helpful. You can type in any passage using the King James or the New American Standard, and simply click on Strong's and it will give you all the Hebrew and Greek words, their meanings, and where they are found elsewhere in Scripture.

Public speaking. Speak loudly and clearly. Do not speak in a monotone voice. Try not to talk too much with your head down. Also, don't read into the expressions on people's faces. If somebody looks bored or angry or confused, we never really think about our resting face until we're up in front of people and then we notice it on them.

Don't read into that at all. But if somebody does criticize you, don't take it personally. They criticize Jesus as well. But be willing to accept constructive criticism. Memorization. The more Bible verses you have memorized, the better off you will be.

They will often come to mind so that you can better make your point. Be open to the Spirit's leading. God may bring things to your mind that you didn't plan on saying. Don't be afraid to get off topic for a few moments.

Just make sure you get back on point afterwards. Illustrations. Try to include illustrations that people can relate to. Throwing in an illustration can sometimes help recapture people's attention. Preach with confidence.

Remember, it is not your message. It is God's message. And finally, James 3 .1 says, My brethren, let not many of you become teachers knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. It's true that that verse is referring more to pastors and those who teach in an official capacity, but still, teaching God's Word in any setting must be taken seriously.

So in conclusion, when handling the Word of God, we must strive to handle it accurately. Thanks for listening.