Preparing and

Preaching
the Bible
A. What Is A Godly Preacher?
Preaching or teaching God’s word is the Pastor’s primary purpose. The
Preacher must have his/her heart and mind always in fellowship with
God. From the time that the preacher begins to prepare his/her study,
to the final concluding statement in the pulpit; the preacher of God’s
word must be in constant fellowship with God.

In this section of our study, lets look at what are the basic
qualifications and standards of a preacher/teacher of the word of
God.
 Appointed and Gifted by God
There is only one kind of preacher in the service of God
and that is a
Godly
preacher. This
preacher is one
who has been
made by God
alone by His
grace alone.
“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the
gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of
his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the
saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:7-8).

 Dedicated Student of the Word

The preacher/teacher of God’s Word is one who is
completely devoted to the study and reading of God’s
Word.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent
babble, for it will lead people into more and more
ungodliness,”
(2 Timothy 2:15-16)

 Mature Believer
“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above
reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or
a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable,
a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and
disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so
that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:7-9)

 Dependent on the Spirit of God

The Godly Preacher/teacher always knows that it is all
God’s work. It is the Spirit who
gives
 illumination, inspiration, and revelation to the preacher
and that he/she is just a recipient of His work.“But you
will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts
1:8).

 Taught First
In the same way that you must be a follower before you
can be a leader; you must be a student first before you
can be a teacher as the Bible tells you. “Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”
(Colossians 3:16).

B. What The Preacher Must Know

I believe there are certain convictions that a preacher/teacher
must know before he becomes a teacher of the Word of God.

 The Bible is Never Wrong

The Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God in its
original writings. God the Holy Spirit inspired them and
God cannot lie, thus the bible is never wrong.

 Jesus is the Centerpiece of the Word

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he
interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning himself.” - Luke 24:27

 The Bible Speaks to the Soul and Spirit

The Bible speaks of spiritual things and only the spirit of a
man can understand them. Always remember that when
you preach or teach the word of God, you are preaching
to the ears of those who hear and it is the Sprit that
speaks to the soul and the spirit man.
  It is a Privilege
As a student in Bible College, I was asked to give
announcements to the student body and introduce the
Sermon by one of the faculty members and I remember
what a privilege and an honor it was to have that
responsibility. Imagine as preachers and teachers of the
Word of God having the privilege to preach and teach the
Inspired Word of God. WOW!!

 Approach the Bible in Honor and Respect

When you teach anything in the bible remember it is
God’s Word to his people; always make sure you have
approached the Word (Bible) with fear and trembling in
your study time and in your teaching time.

C. Preacher/teacher’s Goal
 Educate
Education: comes from a series of words that basically
mean to take by the hand to lead. Our goal is to take
others by the hand and educate them with the knowledge
of God and his Salvation. It is to transmit knowledge by
way of informing or information

 Information
One of the first known historical meaning of “information”
was to give “form” or “shape” The word “form” came
from the ancient Greek word “morphe”. When one is
getting educated, it is forming and shaping the mind to
process the education they are receiving. (Eph 4.23; Rom
12.2)

 Idea
Idea: comes from the word “eidos” which means “set shape”
was used Used by Plato to mean an ideal identity.

 Communicate
 Communication is the exchange of information between
people using a common system. It can be accomplished
through speaking, writing, music, signs, art, and even
behavior.

 Message
The message in its most general meaning is an object of
communication. God communicates to humans with
messages. And throughout the Scriptures God gave
messages through, Speaking, Writing, events, music, and
signs.

Through Speaking
“Thus says the Lord”
“Moses take off thy shoes” (Ex. 3.5)
“This is my beloved Son, listen to Him” (Mat.
3.17)“Saul Saul, why are you persecuting me" (Acts
9.4)

Through Writing
“The Ten Commandments”
“The Bible”
“Writing on the Wall”

Through Events
Burning bush, Red Sea, The Cross, Resurrection, Natural
disasters, flowers blooming, child Birth, Death Miracles
etc…

Through Music
Psalms

Through Signs
Miracles
Today God mostly uses his written Word to send messages to
mankind. God also uses men and women to interpret and
communicate the written word by using preachers, teachers,
evangelists, and missionaries. For clear communication in
 preaching God’s Word it is not simply to reveal it is to
illuminate.

 Illuminate
Illumination is an enlightening process not a just
revelation process. To enlighten someone is to not only
impart knowledge but also to impute spiritual light.
Seeing lives changed is the goal of preaching and
teaching (Psalms 119.18, Luke 24.45, Eph 1.17-18; 1 john
2.20,27). I have listed six ways illumination works.

1. Clarify (The Mind)//(make clear, spell out,

illumininate, simplify)

2. Convince (The Soul)//(induce, incourage, persade,

influence)

3. Compel (The Will)//(force, require, twist arm)

4. Nourish( The Heart)//(cultivate, reassure, support)

5. Motivate (The Actions)//(inspire, stimulate, induce)

6. Connect (Life and Soul)//(unite, attach)

D. Preaching Style
Here are just a few styles, there are many more, but here are
four mainly used methods of preaching God’s Word.

 Expository
“Expository preaching retains the thoughts of the Spirit
and brings the preacher into direct and continual contact
with the mind of the Holy Spirit who authored Scripture.”

 Topical
 Topical Preaching is taking a topic that will be your focus
then find verses to substantiate the topic through out the
Bible.

 Textual
Textual style of preaching is sort of in between both
expository and topical. To preach a textual message is to
begin with a text and focusing on a particular subject.
Then, teaching that subject in the context of the of the
text.

 Narrative
Narrative is self explanatory, basically it is story telling.
This style simply follows the text and expounds on the
story told in the text.

E. Audience
 Know Your Audience
I believe it is very important to know or get to know
your audience. If you have the opportunity speak to
some of the people that will be listening to you. It is
good to know some of their personalities, education,
experience, and background.

 Chose Your Style

Once you know your audience, you can choose a style
you want to take in your sermon or bible study. You
may want to go in-depth or more of a narrative style,
you may want to emphasis on a particular subject etc…

 Chose Your Topic

Knowing your audience can also give you an idea of what you
may want to peach or teach about.

 Chose Your Text

Once you have chosen your style and topic, then you
can choose your text. After you have chosen your text
you can choose what type of study.
F. Preacher’s Preparation (Hermeneutics)
 In this section of the study we are going to look at how to
prepare a sermon or a study that is from Scripture known as an
Expository Sermon. This is the kind of sermon that I will have you
preach at our Sunday morning service.
(Hermeneutics)
Science and Methodology of interpreting texts, especially the
books of the Bible, specifically a branch of theology that is
concerned with explaining or interpreting religious concepts,
theories and principles.

G.Preachers tools
 Study bibles
 Bible introductions
 General Bible Summaries
 Encyclopedias
 Commentaries
 Cross References
 Word studies
o Dictionaries
o Greek & Hebrew Studies

H.Internet programs
 Bible Programs
o http://www.theopedia.com/
o https://www.google.com/
o https://www.wikipedia.org/
o http://calvarychapelassociation.com/
o https://www.britannica.com/
o http://www.ccel.org/
o https://9marks.org/
o www.waynegrudem.com/

 Audio and Video Sermons

o http://www.sermonaudio.com/main.asp
o http://www.gty.org/
o http://www.thewordfortoday.org/
o http://www.desiringgod.org/
o http://www.ligonier.org/
I. The Preparation
In this section we will take a look at how to put a sermon
together from opening your bible to Preaching it in the pulpit.

Observation
 Read text
As you begin your prep for a message, you really want to
know the text. Therefore, it is good to read and reread as
much as your can. My suggestion is that you read a text you
will be preaching on at least 30 to 50 times.

 Read context
Always read and know the context of you message. It is very
important to know the flow of thought of the text and know
what the Holy Spirit is saying and meaning in your text.

 Brain Storm
Once you are clear on the portion of Scripture you are going
to teach begin to “brain storm” as you read you write down
thoughts that come into your brain. Even if it doesn’t make
sense write it down. God may use that thought.

 Organize thoughts
Once the process of “brain-storming” is complete, you may
want to begin to organize your thoughts. Put the thoughts in
categories or topics.

 Make an Outline
If you want, you may want to make a preliminary outline.
This may not be your final outline of your message however,
you may use it to keep thoughts in order for your message.

Interpretation
  Become a Detective
This portion of your hermeneutics that you become an
investigator. This is where you begin to look at the details
of the text.

 Find Word meanings

Every Word in the bible (in the original text) was inspired
by the Holy Spirit. It is important to find the significance of
those words that are important to give more power to the
message. Even with all our translations, the Holy Spirit still
keeps the truth of Scripture intact.

 Ask questions
This is where you ask all and any question that you can
think of. Ask historical questions, theological questions,
time questions, biographical questions, etc…

 Context, Context, Context

I remember when I work in Real Estate for a few years, the
main subject was location, location, location. Context,
context, contexts is important in preaching. There have
been more twisting of Scripture, false teaching, bias
teaching, and confused teaching, all because of not paying
attention to context.

Application
How do I apply this message to my hearers.
 Ask the question “So What”
 Ask the 5Q’s
 Who (cares)
 What (do I do with this)
 Where (do I go from here)
 When (should I do something)
 Why (does this matter)
 How (do I do it)
J. Preacher’s Presentation (Homiletics)
The art of Preaching
  Find A Main Point (The Central Idea)
Earlier in our class we talked about “ideas” and
what it was. A solidifying of thoughts or thought
that God shapes in the mind of your hearers.

 Find a Purpose Statement

Before you begin, find out what is your purpose for
this message. Your purpose will guide you in the
way you present your message.

 Make A Summery
You should be able to say what you want to say in
a sermon in a summary statement within 3-5
Sentences. That summary will contain everything
you are going to preach.

 Make An Outline
This is the time when you really want to begin to
focus on an outline.

The Introduction
 Get Their Attention
They say (whoever “they” are) that if you do not have an
audiences attention in the first 2 to 3 min, you will not
have it at all. I believe it in part, however I do know if you
do not catch an audiences attention quickly, it is an
upward battle for the rest of your message.

 Create Audience Interest Or Anticipation

This is a must! Below I will be giving you some ideas on
how to create interest or even better anticipation in your
intros.

 Make it a “Must Listen”

 If possible, make your introduction a “must listen”. Make it
to where they want to “hang on” and “can’t wait” to hear
what you are going to say.

 Guide The Journey For Audience To Follow

As you put an introduction together make sure that it will
be a map to what they are about to hear.

 Does It Connect?
You want to make sure that your introduction fits the rest
of the message. If not, you may lose them quickly and for
good.

 Does It Actually Introduce Subject?

Always make your introduction is an introduction! not a
separate message.

 Is It Crisp And To The Point?

Make your intros short and sweet. The first 30 sec are vital.

 Various intros
o Current statistics
o Historical illustrations
o Humor
o Real life stories
o Biographies
o Questions you will answer

The Body
When you come to the main body of a message, remember, this
is the blood and guts of the message. This portion is where most
of your study is focused on. Most, if not all, of your research is
going to this part of the message. There are usually 5 areas in
making a point that will give the hearer a full understanding of
the point. Most sermons will have 3 main points sometimes more
sometimes less with sub-points and an occasional “rabbit trail”.
 Explanation
 First thing you want to do in making a point is explain what
you are talking about. Example; Read a verse or a set of
verses then start with “these verses are telling us…. and
they mean….”. In short “Clarify the point”.

 Substantiation
After you have explained the point, then you want to
substantiate it. To substantiate a point is to establish it
with proof or evidence.

 Illustration
An illustration is simply painting a picture in the mind to
make a point, Jesus used illustrations all the time in his
teachings ie; parables, children, animals, nature, etc…

 Application
The final task is to make the point come alive with action
and relevance.

 Transition
The transition is most important. It is the link that keeps
the message smooth and flowing, not choppy.

The Conclusion
To conclude something means to bring-to-an-end. Conclusions
are very very important. You can have an amazing introduction,
astonishing points, and if your conclusion fails, most likely so
does the message all because of a bad conclusion.

 Have A Strong Finish

A conclusion must have a strong finish to give the listeners
something to think about. You want to make your
conclusion so strong that they ponder on what you said for
a long time. A good conclusion will do exactly that.

 Focus back to the points of your message

 A good conclusion will bring back memory of what you just
said. Remember a message is, 1) Tell them what you are
going to say, 2) Say it, 3) Tell them what you just said.

 Make a summary of your Purpose

Remember to always have a purpose statement to your
message. A good conclusion will give or remind your
listeners what the purpose of your message is.

 Make an Application
Always try to make a final application of the message. It is
important that you remind the listers to apply what they
have just heard.

 Decision making
When I was in the Army I had a Drill Sargent who when I
was being trained for battle and I came to a point of
decision. He would tell me, “Whatcha gonna do” over and
over and over.

 Finish with something for everyone

Most of the time you will have many different people,
people with different backgrounds, education, experiences,
ethnicity. So, try to finish with something for everyone.

D. Principles of Public Speaking

 Gestures
Gestures are basically body language. What is your body
language when giving a message? Very important to keep
aware of.

 Eye Contact
Eye contact is what will keep your listeners engaged. It will
also tell your listers that you are talking to them. Make the
 listeners feel that you are blessed and honored that they
are there listening to you. You can do that simply by eye
contact.

 Humor
Humor is always an ice breaker, but it also will keep an
audience engaged. Humor must be used and at
appropriate times or it can offend people. Humor can also
be taken as an “its not that important to take serious” so
humor must be used with much care.

 Emotions
Having or even using emotions are very powerful.
However, if you use them make sure they are real. Faking
emotions will and can not only destroy a message but
destroy your ministry.

 Voice Variation
Voice variations have a huge impact on a message. Make
sure you use them correctly and at the right times. It can
really disrupt the flow of a message and even confuse your
listeners if voice variations are used incorrectly.

 Speak Clearly
When speaking to an audience, always speak clearly, not
to fast, not to slow, not to loud, and not to soft. Pronounce
your words clearly, also don’t try to use big words that no
one understands to try to impress. Finally, don’t mumble
and try not to use too much slang, it will sometimes makes
a message seem sloppy.