How is it possible to write persuasive new lessons to use in your sermons two, three, or even several times a week? The secret is in the simple steps that follow. How to elaborate lessons and sermons in the Christian tradition? A borrowed lesson, if it can be a way to quickly find something to preach and perhaps deal with an emergency, can only work occasionally, and runs the risk of not being relevant to your audience. Here are some ideas on how to process your lessons and sermons.
Steps
Step 1. Follow, first of all, the Holy Scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand how God intends to illuminate the lives of the people who will listen to you
Get to know your audience. Also seek a profound "consecration": study and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, be animated by enthusiasm.
Step 2. Get a clear idea of what you want to teach
It is not even possible to start preaching without direction and purpose, and without organizing the speech you intend to give.
Step 3. Plan your talk and outline an outline of your chosen topic that is of interest to you, that you want to learn more about, and that you can then teach and about which you can preach
This does not necessarily mean writing a literary work, essay or talk for a conference; however, it is important to plan the sermon as described in the "Three Part Outline" section.
- A lecture or sermon always sounds better if it is not recited from memory. It is not necessary to write exactly the sentences to be said and then reread them; what is important is to follow a pattern, a sort of "map", and underline certain words by conveying the importance they have in your mind with your eyes. Lectures and sermons are not like speeches made in public (for example by politicians), which are usually read by the speaker.
- The sermon can be focused on a completely new topic, or even be an addition to a series of multiple sermons or lectures.
Step 4. Be flexible and energetic in speaking, don't read or recite as if what you say were carved in marble; rather seek inspiration and vitality in uttering, so as to establish a connection between the teacher / preacher and the class or congregation
Step 5. Try not to rely on overly detailed notes without doing without a plan and outline to follow
Learn the pattern to follow enough to not need to look at your notes (which you can keep open and available) except occasionally, to recall keywords
Step 6. Be direct
Go to the heart of the message you intend to convey. How to do it?
Step 7. Think of the message to convey on a certain topic as having three parts, or a lesson as a "three part outline"
The related process is explained below.
Method 1 of 2: Three-Part Diagram
Step 1. Introduce the topic and message
Explain what you intend to talk about and why you feel it is important and relevant.
- You could make a witty comment about what this means (or doesn't mean).
- To choose where to start, refer to the Holy Scriptures or the event that sparked the main idea in your mind.
Step 2. Convey the message by developing it (expanding it)
Give examples and explain which characters are involved, when, where, how, why, alternatives or what other events the message might be about.
- Making the concept you want to develop clear in the introduction will allow the class or congregation to know what to expect, and for you to know what to conclude.
- Develop key points with examples from stories, Bible parables, or songs to expand the topic.
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You may find that objections and questions such as:
- " What do you mean?"
- " How did it happen?"
- "What if (something) happened?"
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Ask yourself the same questions rhetorically (without seeking the audience's answer, unless it's a very small audience), and answer yourself like this:
"What if this happened? Well, in this case what you could do is this, but then …" (to be filled in with the relevant words and phrases) - this way you will be able to present the objections yourself in advance, and give of the answers. If, on the other hand, you decide to allow responses from the public, do not disagree but suspend the judgment and say "okay" or something similar, then continue to follow the path you had in mind.
Step 3. Conclude with a call to action concerning the topic developed
For example, it could be a call to welcome Jesus as Savior, or an invitation to test the ideas expressed, pray, study, etc. Doing so will allow you to conclude what you have previously introduced and developed.
Such a conclusion is in a sense a way of assigning listeners the task of putting into practice what you have taught or preached
Method 2 of 2: Use Additional Resources
Step 1. Don't rely too much on others for advice or to borrow ideas
It is always a good thing to have someone to deal with; However, avoid spending your days talking to others and reducing yourself to no longer having time to prepare and study - often it won't work.
Step 2. Talk to other teachers or clerics who like you have to give sermons, but avoid it becoming a habit and a constant need:
if your wishes and goals don't match, it can become a waste of time for both of you.
Step 3. Try to use the various collections of sermons available on various books, more or less dated, but, if you do, vary them to suit your needs
- Search the Internet for sites that offer methods and schemes for delivering sermons, and again, use the findings to suit your needs.
- If you use a pattern that at first seems suitable but doesn't make you feel inspired, or you feel like it doesn't really concern you, it probably won't work.
- In general, borrowed ideas will not be an expression of your style, your religious order, or in line with your way of feeling and expressing yourself.
- Download collections of lectures and sermons from the Internet:
- Excellent material from past periods is available - free of charge.
- Consider signing up for a service that provides methods and diagrams via PowerPoint presentations, with illustrations and examples - or even with function structure, verse lists, cross-references and songs to use.
Step 4. Also consider software that contains the Bible with commentaries, dictionary and cross-references:
they are all very useful tools.
Use the sites (in English) that provide the text of the Bible in 25 versions and in different languages, including Italian, such as and; these two sites, both completely free, offer different resources and are different from each other
Step 5. Pray and read the Bible every day
Give thanks, take notes, reflect and meditate on the Holy Scriptures so that you are in the right frame of mind to elevate yourself to receive inspiration.
Advice
- Prepare more material than you think you will need, so that you have it available in case you run out of arguments faster than expected.
- What is the title of your sermon? What are the supporting scriptures from the Holy Scriptures? What did Jesus teach about it? What are the main ideas? What rhetorical questions could you ask the audience? Thinking about the questions will help you prepare and delve into the ideas you have in mind. Try to collect in a couple of pages some ideas on the arguments to be developed: if you can't fill more than half a page, it means that the topic is too dry and that it is appropriate to choose another one.
- Mentally say the prayer for "wisdom and revelation" (Ephesians 1:16).
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Sometimes it happens that you get lost in a sermon, and find yourself having to "fill" the time and "recite" as if you were teaching or preaching rather than actually doing it. This can lead you to wander and find yourself unprepared in the pulpit or in front of the lectern.
In this case you may find yourself struggling to cover up the ramblings and confusion by showing enthusiasm and interest in what you are saying in order to make it appear interesting to your audience as well
Warnings
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Avoid not having a "real" lesson or a "real" sermon available - just having an idea to introduce about a verse or two of the Bible is usually not enough. The worst sermons are the result of this non-preparation, and in this case it will hardly be enough to make up for it with emotional momentum: the result will not be satisfactory.
If you have not prepared yourself properly, you can sing, pray, raise your voice, walk in circles, jump, bang your fist on the lectern or pulpit, and shake the Bible while remembering the teaching of the scriptures "open your mouth and God will come to your aid. ". The next time, however, be prepared, turn to the Holy Spirit and be ready to welcome help even beyond expectations
