{ CrossTrain Preaching Webinar Get your Christmas back

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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 Sunday2. Make your sermons stickier3. Develop a plan4. 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 Sunday2. Make your sermons stickier3. Develop a plan4. 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

What is the purpose of a sermon?

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


1. What is my sermon about?


1. What is my sermon about?


Begin by identifying your central theme or main subject.

2. Why is this important?


2. Why is this important?


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?


3. What do I want people to do?


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?


4. What’s the bottom line?


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




1) Find common ground2) Uncover inner conflict



How to make a bad introduction:1) Apologize2) Banter3) Fill time



• 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


Part two: The Answer


• 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


Part three: Imagine the future


• “Imagine if this became our new normal”• Illustrate • Repeat the bottom line• Let grace motivate and empower

Part one: IntroductionPart two: The AnswerPart three: Imagine the future


“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


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


1) Introduction2) The Answer3) Imagine the future

Wednesday: Write a draft


Thursday: Make it better


Great editing makes great sermons. Ruthlessly cut any material that doesn’t directly support your bottom line.

Friday: Say it out loud


Saturday: Let it rest


Sunday: Wake up excited to preach


Making Sermons MemorableCreating 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


• “The pursuit of happiness leads us to emptiness.” • “There is a gap between your real and your ideal

family.”• Resource: www.rhymezone.com

http://www.rhymezone.com/

Echo


• “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


• “Doing makes the difference.”• “Your soul is more important than your stuff.”• “Your decisions determine your destination.”

Contrast


• “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


• “Being a sinner does not disqualify you from following Jesus. It’s a prerequisite.?

PictureRhymeEchoAlliterationContrastHook Creating the bottom

line

How to craft the bottom line


1. Mine the text2. Write out the text3. Ten minute creative burst4. Don’t be cheesy (unless it makes it more

rememberable)


Documents

{ CrossTrain Preaching Webinar Get your Christmas back