Some days ideas for a sermon can come without any effort; other days it is like pulling teeth to come up with something to say. I have a few questions that I like to ask myself when I’m working on my messages:
1. What’s the big idea?
This is always one of the first questions that I ask. Depending on the type of message I am working on, I’ll sometime start with the text first and other times if I have a specific concept that I want to teach, I’ll work on narrowing down the focus of that topic. If I can’t simply and clearly communicate what I’m trying to teach, the students that I’m teaching probably won’t be able to remember it.
2. What’s the main text?
As a teacher it’s dangerous to have a killer illustration, story, or experience that you want to use so you craft your message around those things. Don’t let that happen. I focus on first asking myself about the big idea and the main text because I want those things to shape the message.
3. Where’s Christ?
Spurgeon said it best when he said, “I take my text and make a bee-line to the Cross.” No matter what the topic or scripture, I constantly am reminding myself that all of scripture points to Jesus and since my sermons are simply commentary on the Bible, my messages should also point to Jesus.
4. What can be cut out?
This is the part that I would prefer to leave out. I have a tendency to want to share all my ideas about whatever we are talking about, which often leads to diluting the big idea that I originally planned. The best thing that I can do is learn to “Stand up, speak up, and shut up.”
Photo Credit: Mr_G_Travels
I came here with my gardening hat on through the blog X challenge but, as a pastor, find myself resonating with your thoughts.
I absolutely struggle to write a sermon unless I have a clear idea of what I am trying to say (the big picture) and have a primary text to work from. It is only once I am comfortable with those two elements that my sermon writing begins to flow.
The only push-back I’d suggest is on point 4, and it is actually just a slight change to the wording for me. Rather than what would I ‘prefer’ to leave out, I like to look over my sermon and try and think what needs to be left out. Sometimes what I need to cut is not what I WANT to. It might be that killer illustration…which makes a different point. I often still WANT to include that but have to realise it is not right in that context.
Good thoughts!
I’m glad you checked out the blog – i’m not much of a gardener, but good luck as we work through the blog X challenge.
I think it’s just semantics here; I actually meant the same point that you’re making. By saying, “prefer” to leave out, I was actually referring to that I prefer to leave out question #4 as there’s a lot that I don’t want to cut out but I need to. So we are both on the same page, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Here’s another bootcamp blogger, but one that’s very interested in preaching
I love point 3, didn’t know that quote from Spurgeon and it’s a great question. Well done!
Can’t wait to check out your blog. That’s one of my favorite Spurgeon quotes and of course he’s spot on too.
Excellent post. Short sweet and to the point. I really liked it.
I lead worship at retreats from time to time and I really liked what you said. Especially point number 3. It’s a great question to be asking anytime you’re in any form of ministry.
Thanks!