I thought some of you might be interested in how a sermon comes to be. This is the way it happens for me.
Monday- I spend in research. I try to research exactly what the Bible passage says. What the author meant and I ask my usual questions of a passage. Who, what, when, where, how, why and so what. This can involve quite a bit of reading and then some study of the original languages.
Tuesday- My day off. I spend it mostly thinking, praying and mulling over the passage. Many times I get ideas Tuesday night while I am sleeping. I think that may be the most common times to get prop ideas.
Wednesday- I pray some more and begin an outline connecting all the relevant scripture and trying to figure out how to communicate it in a way everyone can understand.
Thursday- I get to the office early and write it out word for word. It usually takes me from 7-10am or so.
Friday- I am an audio learner so I preach the message out loud so I can hear it and see if it makes sense to me. I use all the props and try to preach just like I will do in the weekend. This is where some props get cut. I decided not to use a live sheep once. I decided not to use the picture of Jim Colledge in a dress...ok, I'm just kidding. There is no such picture, at least I've never seen it. Anyway, I preach it through twice and time it to make sure I know how much time it will take.
Saturday and Sunday- I pray like crazy that what I have prepared is what God really wants. I try to make sure my heart is right. I get up very early to spend extra time with God to try to make sure I am on His page. Then I go and preach.
Sunday night- I pray again that God will use what was said. I ask for forgiveness for handling that which is holy in such a clumsy and inadequate way.
That is the process of creating a sermon as I know it. Now you know all my secrets.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Sermon
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7 comments:
Too bad you didn't use the sheep - now, that would have been fun! Seriously, thank you for sharing how God guides you through all the steps in preparing your sermon. I've always wondered how God gives you just the exact words to say, and the exact way to say it, with a perfect balance of seriousness touched with humor, to convey the precious truths of His Word in a crystal clear way. I've often marveled, midway through a sermon, when the "lightbulb" comes on my head, and then a big smile creeps over my face and I thank God fervently but quietly in my head for His wisdom. Yep, that's me with the silly grin on my face in pew 11, seat 14.
p.s. no more live fish, please.
Joe, Thank you for the hard work and prayer you put into your sermons. Over the years I have quoted what you have preaches b/c I have been inspired by what you say. You are truly an instrument of God. Thanks.
I love it when God is teaching me something and He uses your sermons coinciding with my quiet times, christian radio, people I share with and books I am reading. Yes, it takes some time for it to get deep into my soul to take root but its so exciting when I am surrounded by His presence everywhere I go. Your sermons water my soul with His Word and your props. I use the red and green M&M analogy quite often! I believe that particular sermon has probably made it half way around the world by now!! Thanks for your tireless effort it sheperding your flock!
Is it okay to drink herbal tea while reading this, or does it have to be coffee? Keep up the good work!
Joe,Thank you for sharing how you pull together some of the most insightful sermons. Its really great to see how you organize your thoughts, strugture your ideas and deliver God's message. Thanks for being you!
Hey Joe, could you show a little tenderness to us grey haired members, while preparing your sex talk this Sunday? You know, at some point in the aging process, even Viagra can't help. Our marriages are still alive and well though.
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