Serving Those Who Preach and Teach to Change Lives
The preacher or pastor is expected to be skilled in designing anywhere from one to three or more sermons per week. Hopefully, we take the expectation of being experts of sermon design, or “displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training experience” (Merriam-Webster definition) seriously.
When designing a sermon, there are some important aspects to consider.
Please note: The views & opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & views of Lifeway Christian Resources.
People. We are used to multi-tasking, having our minds and lives firing in five different directions. At times we DO find ourselves on overload. When we do, what do we tend to do? And do well? Criticize ourselves. I am reminded of a time when I sat among a small group of gals in a Bible study setting. In that discussion time we were sharing our goals for the study. There was a mother of 4 small children who always need her attention.
In her frustration and complete weariness, she shared in depth about not having enough time for daily devotions and Bible study. She felt defeated and was basically giving up. Those in the group kept trying to help with creative ways to carve out enough time. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier, or even when they napped. This young mom was nearly in tears. I just sat and listened. This group was more worried about the quantity of time, rather then the quality.
There is no seminary course or Scripture reading plan that prepared me for being a pastor’s wife. Sure, there were tools that I was given and questions to think through. There were communication pointers and some wise words from those that went before me and somehow survived, but they didn’t really expound on how ugly the wrestle with temptation to shrink back would be. Or how maybe on the rough days even the temptation would be to just quit.
Most of the time I battle with a complete sense of exhaustion. As a pastor, there are almost endless requests made for my time and energy. This is part of the calling, part of the job. Cognitively I appreciate it. Apart from the sinful temptation of pride (feeling good about being needed), I am humbled by the position and platform that God has placed me in and the responsibility to care for others, to care for their souls. The problem is that this constant withdrawal can lead to burn out or maybe worst – bitterness.
We have all been in seasons where we fake caring. We go through the motions and smile but, honestly, on the inside, we are far more concerned with the weather than we are the person in front of us. All of us would agree that is no place we want to be.
Please note: The views & opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & views of Lifeway Christian Resources.
I love Bible study. I have tried “not” to study, but I’m learning it is part of my spiritual DNA. God created me to study the Bible. I am to be a student first, then a teacher. When I teach hermeneutics, (interpreting & understanding the Bible) it is my goal to always have the students understand there are basic methods to study and interpreting. The basics can be easy. You don’t need a theological degree or the ability to speak Hebrew or Greek. Asking a few questions and turning a few pages will give you some foundational understanding.
Please note: The views & opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & views of Lifeway Christian Resources.
Have you ever sat and read through the New Testament and read only the words Jesus’ words (the words in red in some Bibles)? For a completely new perspective, I challenge us to do just that. I know context is everything, but let’s step out of the exegesis box (interpreting the Scriptures) for a brief moment, to get an amazing snapshot of Jesus. His strength, authority, love, and compassion.