{ CrossTrain Preaching Webinar Get your Christmas back

Preaching the Word of God is a great privilege.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” - Isaiah 55:10-12

It is also a great challenge.

1. Make your sermon better this Sunday 2. Make your sermons stickier 3. Develop a plan 4. Take back your Christmas Goals

 There’s very little in your ministry that will have more impact than your preaching  It’s a sacred privilege and responsibility to speak the words of God  Most of us were not born as great communicators  Most of us can learn to become one Why this is worth the price of your attention

1. Make your sermon better this Sunday 2. Make your sermons stickier 3. Develop a plan 4. Take back your Christmas Goals

 To say things that are true?  To balance law truth and gospel truth?  To feed the sheep? What is the purpose of a sermon?

Repent

How to approach a sermon

Stage One: Prayer and Text Study

Stage Two: Getting Started

“I only write when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” - Somerset Maugham Stage Two: Getting Started

1. What is my sermon about? Stage Two: Getting Started

1. What is my sermon about? Stage Two: Getting Started Begin by identifying your central theme or main subject.

2. Why is this important? Stage Two: Getting Started

2. Why is this important? Stage Two: Getting Started You know why it’s important. Why is it important to the person in the back row? What’s at stake?

3. What do I want people to do? Stage Two: Getting Started

3. What do I want people to do? Stage Two: Getting Started Great sermons don’t just present true content. They have a specific goal. Do you have a specific next step? Don’t be content to just make a point. Make a difference.

4. What’s the bottom line? Stage Two: Getting Started

4. What’s the bottom line? Stage Two: Getting Started You have a topic. Do you have a point? If you can’t say your sermon in a sentence, you aren’t ready to write the sermon yet.

Stage Three: Sermon Framework “Your idea’s perceived value will be judged not so much on the idea itself but on how well you can communicate it.” – Nancy Duarte

Part one: Introduction Stage Three: Sermon Framework

Part one: Introduction Stage Three: Sermon Framework 1)Find common ground 2)Uncover inner conflict

Part one: Introduction Stage Three: Sermon Framework How to make a bad introduction: 1)Apologize 2)Banter 3)Fill time

Part one: Introduction Stage Three: Sermon Framework Why is this important (hint: not for you, for them)? How can I create tension around this topic? “If we don’t get this, we will miss out on ________.” Convince the listener that this sermon is worthy of their attention. Tell a story (personal, not a generic illustration)

Part two: The Answer Stage Three: Sermon Framework

Part two: The Answer Stage Three: Sermon Framework Use the text to resolve the problem and answer the questions Say and return to your bottom line Make sure the text, not the pastor is the authority Be so enthralled with the text that people will want to go home and read it Make sure Jesus is the hero, not you

Part three: Imagine the future Stage Three: Sermon Framework

Part three: Imagine the future Stage Three: Sermon Framework “Imagine if this became our new normal” Illustrate Repeat the bottom line Let grace motivate and empower

Part one: Introduction Part two: The Answer Part three: Imagine the future Stage Three: Sermon Framework

“A presentation’s quality will not exceed the quality of the planning process that precedes it.” – Nancy Duarte

Framework for your week

Monday: Answer the four questions Framework for your week 1)What is my sermon about? 2)Why is this important? 3)What do I want people to do? 4)What’s the bottom line?

Tuesday: Build the framework Framework for your week 1)Introduction 2)The Answer 3)Imagine the future

Wednesday: Write a draft Framework for your week

Thursday: Make it better Framework for your week Great editing makes great sermons. Ruthlessly cut any material that doesn’t directly support your bottom line.

Friday: Say it out loud Framework for your week

Saturday: Let it rest Framework for your week

Sunday: Wake up excited to preach Framework for your week

Making Sermons Memorable Creating the bottom line

What’s a bottom line? It’s your sermon in a sentence It’s the main point It’s a sticky statement It’s the phrase that pays

Benefits of a bottom line: Preparation Clarity Rememberability Portability

“Jaws in space.” Alien

Creating the bottom line

Picture “A thousand songs in your pocket.” “The LORD is my shepherd.” “Words tell a story.” “Relationships > Money.”

Rhyme Creating the bottom line “The pursuit of happiness leads us to emptiness.” “There is a gap between your real and your ideal family.” Resource:

Echo Creating the bottom line “Forgiven people forgive people.” “The Water of life thirsted so you will never thirst again.” “When God becomes part of your family’s routine, God becomes part of your family’s reality.”

Alliteration Creating the bottom line “Doing makes the difference.” “Your soul is more important than your stuff.” “Your decisions determine your destination.”

Contrast Creating the bottom line “Big faith grows in small circles.” “You can make a point or you can make a difference.” “If you really want to live, you really have to die.”

Hook Creating the bottom line “Being a sinner does not disqualify you from following Jesus. It’s a prerequisite.?

Picture Rhyme Echo Alliteration Contrast Hook Creating the bottom line

How to craft the bottom line Creating the bottom line 1.Mine the text 2.Write out the text 3.Ten minute creative burst 4.Don’t be cheesy (unless it makes it more rememberable)

Creating the bottom line