Sermon Prep

I'm preaching this weekend at BABC so I've had to consider the process over the last few weeks. I just want to share some thoughts here...

• I love preaching through the Scriptures. I’ve enjoyed topical preaching in previous years but find myself beginning from a more subjective [and dangerous] place.
  
• I love “Narrative Expository” teaching because it helps me to focus on the TEXT first. Also, I don’t have to waste time thinking about what I’m going to preach on or about. I just move from passage to the next passage.
  
• While I don’t do any extensive prep months in advance, I like to be able to put the talk into a simple sentence. If I can't say it in a simple sentence, then I probably shouldn't be trying to communicate it to a crowd.
  
• While there’s nothing unique that I do in my sermon preparation, I do read the particular text at least 20x over the course of a couple of weeks. That’s been one of the most helpful aspects in establishing a level of “confidence” in my speaking. Reading in so many times allows me the joy of reading it through different angles, perspectives, and experiences.
• During the weekly leading to the weekend, I put together a simple outline, access commentaries if necessary, ask for some feedback from the other pastors if needed, and put a few notes together so I can be able to teach freely and fluidly on the weekend- with my hands moving the entire time with great spiritual conviction and passion.

These are the questions I ask during each preparation process:

1. What does the Scripture say? What is the context? Who is it speaking to? What is the cultural lens?
2. What does it mean? How do I interpret this?
3. How does this apply to the believer/church?
4. How does this apply to the current cultural landscape? How does it affirm, rebuke, or speak prophetically against the culture?

In my opinion, teaching can be superficial if we start and focus on #3. Rather than asking what the Scriptures are saying, we focus on “How do you FEEL about this?” If we’re not careful, we end up simply as feel good “spiritual therapists” at best.

It’s a legitimate question but also should be asked in the context of the bigger picture. I want to make sure that through each sermon, the church is a] learning about the Scriptures, b] being equipped in reading the Scriptures, and c] [hopefully] convicted by the Holy Spirit to grow as followers of Christ.

Last thought: Exegesis [interpretation] of the Scriptures is important and not all pastors do it well. But equally as important in my opinion is the Exegesis of Culture. How does the Scriptures engage, converse, dialogue, and wrestle with Culture - Locally and Globally?

What do you think?