How to Create A Sermon

Creating a sermon involves advance preparation and Bible study.

Creating a sermon is more than writing a speech or planning a persuasive argument, but it is sharing biblical truth in a relevant way. For your message to be clear and applicable, you will need to study the Bible and understand its context historically, presently and eternally. An effective sermon also involves knowing who will be listening to it, the circumstances you'll be sharing it in and any current events that may help illustrate your points. By using your unique personality to combine these elements together you can provide an opportunity for lasting life change and spiritual growth.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Write down the themes of the past sermons your congregation has heard over the past 6 to 12 months. List the strengths and weaknesses of each message to determine how the people received or rejected what was shared. Pray and seek discernment regarding how your congregation needs to most be challenged by your next sermon in order to grow spiritually.

2. 

   Popular television shows and current events often offer timely sermon illustrations.

   Expose yourself to an assortment of books, magazine articles, videos and other media that offer a variety of perspectives on your potential sermon theme. Evaluate the materials for insights and illustrations, then use a word processor to type and save what you've identified as relevant to your sermon.

3. Search the Bible for stories and verses that speak to your sermon theme. Use resources like Biblegateway.com to type in keywords in a variety of translations, then save the most relevant results in your file.

4. 

   A conversation with a stranger can offer an insight for your sermon.

   Dialogue with trusted members of the congregation or church leadership about the direction of your sermon. Ask for their input and any stories from their lives that may complement what you will be preaching on. Interact with other people you regularly encounter in your week, asking what their thoughts and questions are on the theme you're exploring.

5. Write down a list of any thoughts or questions you have from all of your research. Refer to this list as you read the Bible passages you've previously identified while looking for the specific texts that you are most drawn to for your sermon. Deepen your understanding of these passages through the commentaries, word studies, maps and historical background provided for on Blueletterbible.com. Pray that God will help you understand His truth before you share it with others.

Writing Your Sermon

1. 

   Writing your sermon on a computer offers easy editing, copying and pasting.

   Open your saved file and look for common themes in your notes. Organize similar thoughts into groups, including Bible passages, illustrations, thoughts, questions, and personal stories. Select the group of ideas that you feel will become the main point of your message and copy it into a new document on your computer.

2. Divide your main Bible passage into smaller sections that summarize your sermon theme. Form an overall outline by letting the Scripture create a relevant standpoint from which the message will be shared, such as "Home Coming" for a sermon that spoke about the Israelites entering into the Promised Land or "Super Heroes" to speak about people in the Bible and in life who serve others.

3. Narrow the point of your sermon down to a single sentence that clearly communicates what you want everyone to learn and apply. Develop an ending for your message based on this, be it a step of internal surrender or a commitment to external action.

4. Create your sermon introduction by using an attention-grabbing device, such as a question or engaging story, that builds a bridge between your congregation and the biblical text you will share. Read it out loud and evaluate the tone you will need to use to effectively communicate it so others will be inspired to keep listening.

5. Write your whole sermon out as a manuscript, using your outline, introduction and ending as a guide. Type out everything you plan to say in the manner you plan to say it. Print out your document when finished.

6. Leave your message alone for a day, then come back to your printed document and read it. Highlight the parts that stand out to you and circle the areas that you need to revise. Identify five different people whom you know will hear your message when you preach it and read through the message again from their vantage points.

7. 

   For younger audiences, plan a sermon that is less than 15 minutes.

   Time how long it takes to read your final draft of your manuscript out loud. Adjust your content accordingly if your sermon is too long for your listeners, aiming for a time frame of 30 to 45 minutes.

8. Memorize the main point of your message, the introduction and the ending.

9. Develop other supplemental materials to add to your message, such as a Power Point presentation, bulletin insert or props that can serve as object lessons.

Tips & Warnings

• After sharing a message you may become insecure about feedback and criticism. Remember that you're ultimately trying to please God and not people.

• A sermon is not a tool for you to gossip or share personal frustrations with others you are having issues with.

References

• Trinity Lutheran Seminary: Sermon Checklist for Preaching
• Soul Preaching: 7 Steps to a Good Sermon or How to Create and Preach a Sermon
• Christian Post: Creating Strong Sermon Points
• Solution Ministries: Developing Your Sermon
• Four Lakes Church of Christ: How to Prepare a Sermon
• Preachers Study: How a Sermon Is Prepared

Resources

• Bible Gateway
• Blue Letter Bible
• Preaching Today
• Rob Bell: Poets, Prophets and Preachers
• Southern Nazarene University: Church Relations Sermon Planning Workshop
• Calvin Seminary: Sermon Evaluation Form