We all want to preach better sermons but there’s just one problem…

The lack of that very precious thing called time ⏰

There just never seems to be enough of it.

What with leading a team of staff, admin and dealing with those unexpected things that can take up your whole day, the most important task of developing yourself as a preacher can easily get overlooked.

The truth is if you can prepare sermons better, you’ll inevitably preach better.

That’s why I want to give you 4 simple steps you can take to make your sermon prep that much easier.   

Here they are.

4 Steps To Preaching Better Sermons

Step 1: Study Full
Step 2: Think Clear
Step 3: Pray Hot
Step 4: Let Yourself Go

Let’s go through each one…

1. Study Full 📖

Every great sermon starts with a great idea which is why having a way of collecting and storing your ideas is crucial.

Gather as much information as you can on the topic you’re going to preach on and collect stories, illustrations, sermon series ideas, interesting statistics and scripture references.

You could even have a designated preaching folder on your desktop or create a ‘Preaching ideas’ board on Pinterest.

However you do it, whenever you’re inspired or moved or learn something new, make a note and keep it.

When the time comes you’ll have a valuable go-to resource you can refer to.

2. Think Clear 🥽

This is more important than the first but follows on from it.

If you study yourself full but don’t think yourself clear, when you get up to speak, you’ll just give a lot of dislocated facts but no natural flow – I call it theological indigestion…

When you have all the information in front of you, ask:

“What is the one message, the one point that I want my people to walk away with and remember for the rest of the week?“

With this objective in mind, focus your attention on the relevant content for your sermon.

Here’s a simple sermon outline you can use.

Just because you normally preach for 45 minutes doesn’t mean you have to every week – don’t fill time for the sake of filling time.

Don’t be afraid of cutting out a great story if it’s not building up to the main point you want to make.

Put the story back into your folder and don’t worry, you’ll be able to use it for another sermon later.

3. Pray Hot 🔥

Once you’ve written your sermon outline and know the content and main purpose of your sermon, it’s time to take it to God.

Do what you do to feel closest to God.

For me, it’s taking a walk down a hidden nature trail with praise music blasting in my ears.

For you, it might be just to disconnect the phone and close the curtains. Do whatever you need to do – this is your time to connect with God.

If you’re not passionate about what you’re preaching about, don’t expect your people to get passionate either.

Preach from the heart and you’ll be a great preacher. Preaching from the head may be interesting and informative but it will never be enough to cause life-change.

4. Let Yourself Go 🟢

You’ve studied and researched, you’re prepared and practised…

You’ve soaked it in prayer before the Father and the message is overflowing from your heart…

Now it’s time to just let yourself go!

Don’t be self-conscious, be God-conscious.

If you’re not confident and relaxed when you preach, your congregation will feel uncomfortable – nervousness is contagious, but confidence is too.

Remember God’s message to His church is more important than you are. You’re just an instrument making yourself available to God.

If you study yourself full, think yourself clear, pray yourself hot, and let yourself go you will preach better sermons and everyone will benefit!

Great Preaching = #1 Church Growth Trigger

Preaching has more impact on the overall growth and health of your church than everything else you do, combined.

And the best way to improve your preaching is to learn from the best.

That’s why we’re on a mission to uncover the top preaching courses.

Here are the ones we’ve reviewed so far…