Sermon Preparation

1. Permeate with Prayer a. Real life

a. Begin here b. News items
b. Continue throughout the c. Conversations
process d. Other books
2. Speak the text 8. Write your sermon
a. Read four times - out loud! a. You don’t need to capture
b. Read four different translations everything you WILL say
c. Write questions that come to b. Capture only what you MUST
your mind say
d. If possible/applicable – read the 9. Edit your sermon
book entirely a. Read through for timing
3. Create passage outline b. Read for clarity and grace
a. What is the narrative arc? i. Say what you need to say
b. Who are the main characters? ii. Say nothing more
c. Highlight connecting phrases c. Mark up your notes to aid in
(therefore, but) memory and delivery
d. Arrange verses into logical i. Blue highlight main points
groupings ii. Green highlight
4. Get creative - engage illustrations
a. Sketchnoting – use symbols, iii. Yellow highlight Text
arrows, shapes iv. Pink highlight implications
b. Mind Mapping (apps are v. Orange highlight
available online for free) transitions
5. Sermon outline d. Arrange notes to fit on one
a. Identify the “Big Idea” page
b. Unpack each point i. Use two columns
i. Interpretation – explain ii. Use two sides of sheet
the text
ii. Illustration – illustrate for
purpose of clarity
iii. Implication – draw
connection to our lives
6. Research the passage
a. Commentaries
b. Pay attention to important
words/phrases
7. Brainstorm Illustrations

© Scott Ladd @ worship2gether.com 2018