It can be difficult to think of sermon series ideas month in and month out, but I might be able to help you.
As a pastor and preacher, you have just 30-45 minutes to speak into the lives of your people and give them something they can carry with them for the next 7 days.
Each week you need to come up with something fresh, awe-inspiring, profound, life-changing and life-giving.
No pressure right?! ๐ฌ
Monthly Series Make Sermon Prep Less Stressful
This last year, just between Christmas and New Year I spent a lot of time planning the preaching year ahead.
For me, the easiest way to get ideas for preaching is to break up the year into bite-size chunks and come up with a topical preaching sermon series for each month.
Once I’ve nailed down the topic, I make sure I have these 4 things in place:
- Sermon series title
- Weekly titles
- Images for projection, social media, flyers etc.
- Decoration/Props
That way, I don’t have to struggle from Sunday to Sunday scratching my head for new inspiration.
The New Year is the best time to plan the preaching for the year and I highly recommend you do the same.
You can download the free preaching calendar here.
It forces you to think about what God wants to say to your people in the upcoming year and what journey He wants to take them on.
This method automatically forces you to be intentional about your preaching, rather than just sticking to your favourite topics.
It also frees you up to preach better sermons.
12 Sermon Series Ideas For The Entire Year
OK without further ado, these are the sermon series we ran in our local church this year:
1. Limitless Living
2. Relationship Status
3. Character Under Construction
4. Who Is Jesus?
5. Back To The Bible
6. Rooted
7. I Love My Church
8. Stormproof
9. Unlikely Heroes
10. Amazing Grace
11. Get In The Game
12. He Shall Be Calledโฆ
Feel free to copy directly or take inspiration from these. You don’t have to do the same as I did but maybe these ideas will prompt you to come up with even better ideas.
And as always, if you have any questions or insight, simply add your comments below ๐
1. Limitless Living (January)
The Limitless Living series is a great way to start the year because it’s all about breaking off the limits of the past, looking ahead and being all you can be in a brighter new year.
Dare to believe God for greater things and make the necessary changes.
I’ve done this series twice now, both in the UK and Thailand and it’s gone really well.
Each week I talk about a different aspect of limitless living, for example:
- Week 1: Limitless Faith
- Week 2: Limitless Wisdom
- Week 3: Limitless Grace
- Week 4: Limitless Love
“Dear, dear Corinthians, I canโt tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life.
Weย didn’tย fenceย you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your livesย aren’tย small, but youโre living them in a small way.
Iโm speakingย as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!“
2. Relationship Status (February)
Since February is the month of Valentine’s Day I always think a good topical theme for this month should be something to do with relationships, marriage or the family.
There are so many fun angles you can go for with this one…
From how to have a stronger marriage, have a happier home life to how to raise children the right way or how to have better relationships in your life.
When I did this sermon series this past year I used the title “Relationship Status” and used the Facebook image above as each week as the team spoke about different types of relationships each week.
For example:
- Week 1: Relationship with Spouse
- Week 2: Relationship with Children
- Week 3: Relationships between Father and Son
- Week 4: Relationship With God
Of course, if your Sunday morning service is for new people then every week make it evangelistic and point to our relationship with God.
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3. Character Under Construction (March)
Where do we go to develop character in our life?
In a world obsessed with outward appearance, we need to remember that God is in the process of developing character in our lives and He wants us to be a part of that process.
When we choose to renew our minds, it will result in transformed lives.
“Character is more important than personal achievement or fulfilment.”
This is the main message we wanted to get through this month through the topical sermon series “Character Under Construction”.
Thinking about our church members, we expect to see a change in their lives. If there’s no change then why bother right?
We want to take them through from baby new believers to mature believers.
Some ideas and tips for weekly preaching:
- Week 1: Controlling Our Thoughts (Phil 4:8, Rom 12:1-2)
- Week 2: Guarding Our Hearts (Pro 4:23)
- Week 3: Keeping Good Company (Pro 1)
- Week 4: Fruits Of The Spirit (Gal 5:22-23, 1 Pet 1:5-6)
4. Who Is Jesus? (April)
Inspired by Jesus Is by Judah Smith, this series asks the most important question of them all:
Who is Jesus?
Was he a prophet? A teacher? God?
And why is my answer to this question so important?
Why did he have to die and how does the cross change my life?
April, usually the month of Easter, is an ideal month to talk about sin, redemption, salvation, the cross and the resurrection.
You will have visitors, especially on Easter Sunday so let your April preaching be targeted at unchurched people.
You could even organise an invite a friend Sunday.
“And Jesus asked,ย “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”“
5. Back To The Bible (May)
In our church here in Thailand, the Sunday morning service is aimed at reaching new, unchurched people.
With the Back to Bible message series, we answer questions like:
Can we trust the Bible? What does the Bible say about itself and can you build your life on it?
- Week 1: The Bible is Historically Accurate
- Week 2: The Bible is Prophetically Accurate
- Week 3: The Bible is Scientifically Accurate
- Week 4: You Can Build Your Life On It
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
6. Rooted (June)
Rooted can be a great opportunity to teach your people how to be self-feeding on the Scriptures in their own time. This is an important step in the discipleship process.
This sermon series covers the topic of discipleship and spiritual disciplines.
You could talk about things like:
- How to pray
- How to read the Bible
- How to do daily devotions
- The importance of Connect groups
- Stepping up and becoming a volunteer
- Getting baptised
“For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fearย when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.“
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7. I Love My Church (July)
The main theme of this month’s preaching messages is:
“You do not go to church, you are the church!”
You want to use this series to encourage your members to each play their part in the local church, stir up their giftings, support and be faithful to the vision of the church.
You could talk about topics like Connect groups, tithing, serving, inviting friends to church, how we’re created for community, being vision-driven, loving one another as Christ loves us and living in unity as a family.
You could really fun with this one; if you have a media guy you could film some video testimonies of how the work of your church has impacted someone’s life.
This is not only great for morale but you are casting the vision and reminding people of the mission of the church.
Idea: Take pictures of everyone, or use their Facebook profile pics (with permission) and put them around the room – the youth, children, adults – everyone who is part of your church family.
“You are Christโs bodyโthatโs who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your โpartโ mean anything.”
8. Stormproof (August)
Storm-Proof discusses and answers some of lifeโs toughest questions: how to handle hard times, disappointments, hurts, pain, betrayal and temptation.
Topics could include trusting God in all circumstances and how to trust God when you don’t understand.
It’s all about living your life on a Biblical foundation and making sure you will not be moved, not be shaken.
How to trust in God as your refuge and source of strength, how to let go of the past hurts, move on and look to a brighter future.
If done right, this could be a powerful message to your church in equipping them to stormproof their lives.
“In the world you willย have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.“
9. Unlikely Heroes (September)
Do the people in your church need to start thinking bigger? Bolder?
Do they need to learn to step out in faith and become all God has called them to be?
An Unlikely Heroes sermon series could be a fun and inspiring way to show your people how to be strong in the knowledge that the Lord God is with them.
Each week could look at some of the great (and unlikeliest) heroes of the Bible.
Looking at the life of someone like Daniel, Moses, Joshua, David, Gideon, Abraham or Paul gives you a great opportunity to pull out principles from these examples of ordinary people who did extraordinary things for God.
“…andย the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
And of course let us not forget Jesus, the greatest hero of them all.
I tweeted this just the other day…
“What makes Christianity different, is that it is a story where the hero dies to save the villain.”
10. Amazing Grace (October)
Amazing graceโฆ it’s more than we deserve and greater than we imagine.
This month you could discuss issues like sin, righteousness, the finished work of the cross, letting go of the past, living under the waterfall of his grace and knowing who you are in Christ.
“And from the overflow of his fullness we received grace heaped upon more grace!“
11. Get In The Game (November)
Get in the Game is a series with the sole purpose of spurring your people to action!
Your church will start moving forward only when people start taking ownership of their own part to play.
Christianity is a contact sport. The true joy and satisfaction in the journey of faith comes when we get off of the substitute bench and onto the field.
God wants all believers to get in the game and play to win!
You can equip them with practical ways to:
- Share the Gospel with someone
- Share your personal testimony
- How to make a prayer list
- How to pray for your unsaved family and friends
- And so on…
You could even organise an invite a friend Sunday if you wanted, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
โFollow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.โ
12. He Shall Be Called… (December)
In the lead-up to Christmas, get the most out of December with this sermon series.
Naturally evangelistic in nature, each week looks at the attributes of God, and how it applies to you, how it directly affects your daily life. Every week points to Jesus.
- Week 1: He Shall Be Called… Wonderful Counselor
- Week 2: He Shall Be Called… Mighty God
- Week 3: He Shall Be Called… Everlasting Father
- Week 4: He Shall Be Called… Prince Of Peace
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
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Thank you for this sir. It’s very helpful for us.
We’ll be using your idea in our church services.
Godbless your ministry..โบ๏ธ
This is very helpful Simon, God bless your ministry.
God Bless you so for this article. It blessed me. I am a young Pastor, though I plan my sermon a month ahead but this idea of monthly working theme really makes a lot of sense. I’m adopting the system.
Any bible verses relate to this sermon topics ? Week 1: Limitless Faith
Week 2: Limitless Wisdom
Week 3: Limitless Grace
Week 4: Limitless Love
Week 1: Limitless Faith
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Matthew 17:20 – “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'”
Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Week 2: Limitless Wisdom
James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Colossians 2:2-3 – “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Week 3: Limitless Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithโand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godโnot by works, so that no one can boast.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christโs power may rest on me.”
Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Week 4: Limitless Love
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thanks Sir,
great ideas great help…for being a blessing to us lighten our burden. God bless…..
Glad you found this helpful Manuel ๐
Hey Simon, thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts much appreciated, so how do get some of your series if that possible
Thank you for your time and thought. It helps me a lot. May God give you more strength to serve Him and help other people, including me.
Thanks for your resource, it is helpful! God bless you.
You’re welcome Jacob! Give yourself some breathing space by planning out your sermon series now for next year.
This is a fantastic planning method it keeps you as a minister on track and know what God wants to say to his flock through you. To be honest I adopt this idea
Exactly! I can’t think of anything more stressful than planning week by week – that’s a lot of pressure you can relieve easily by planning in advance and giving yourself time and breathing space.
Great to hear it ๐
Thanks so much on this. It’s so helpful to me. Most grateful.
I’m glad to hear these examples have sparked new ideas for you Gina! I think planning sermons in 4 or 6 or 8 weekly blocks can make planning so much easier and because you’re preparing in advance you have more time to really get creative! Have fun with it and your church will too ๐
Nice idea sir for me as a young pastor and new pastor making a sermon weekly is not easy but I learn from these ideas. I am in Philippines.
GOD BLESS YOU SIR.
Planning your sermons in monthly blocks is definitely an easier and far less stressful. Pick a theme per month for the next 6 months and come up with 1 point per sermon. Trust me, it’ll revolutionise your sermon prep!
Hi Simon,
Thanks a lot! Awesome ideas. This is beginning to get off the pressure in me in my weekly preaching responsibilities in our church. Though small in numbers but they are great people.
Thanks,
Abner
Man does planning out monthly sermon series take the pressure off! I know I just couldn’t handle the pressure of coming up with preaching ideas the week before.
As I said in this post, having sermon series planned out for the year also makes sure you’re covering a variety of topics, the full scope of the Bible. I’m glad you found these ideas helpful, makes putting posts like these together all worth while.
How do I get the sermon outline for month 1? Do you have graphics to go with it? I am just a lay person who is organizing 1 month of guest speakers.
Wow you are a great blessing to the Body of Christ. Thank you. I am sure gleaning a lot. More grace to you.
Thanks, I’m glad you found these ideas helpful!
Hi Pastor Simon,
I’m a Pastor of a small (20-30 people) church in Southwest Florida. I almost left my church early this year, after three years. So glad that God intervened and now I found your site.
I felt that there’s a new strength and motivation to move forward. One of the great struggle week after week is my preaching. What topic, what text, what should be the content? I’m sure that your Preaching Plan/Calendar for a year will reallybe a great help. Please allow me to use your suggested topic and text.
Your articles are enlightening and inspirational. You are such a blessing.
Thanks and sincerely,
Abner
I think this is one of my favourite comments of all time! So encouraging!
I strongly believe that every problem has a solution. If something is causing too much stress or worry or its just taking too much of your time, it’s time to find a better way of doing things. I’ve found planning preaching out in monthly series really helps relieve that pressure.
I’d even go one step further and say if possible, get your core leadership team to help plan your preaching outlines too. Check out this post:
How To Prepare A Sermon In A Team
In other areas of church life we understand the need for teams, but then too many pastors stay up too late on a Saturday night struggling with sermon preparation. This is completely unnecessary!
Get a group of 2 or 3 of your core leaders, sit down once a week or once a month and throw ideas around. Ask the question “What do our members need to know this year?” and go forward from there. You could even plan special songs or dramas that complement your message because now you have more time to plan.
Every blessing to you Abner! Keep pushing for advancement!
This is a fantastic planning method it keeps you as a minister on track and know what God wants to say to his flock through you. To be honest I adopt this idea.
That’s great to hear – I’m so glad these ideas helped you. When I’m planning my year’s preaching I ask God, “What do you want to say to your people this year? What is it they need to know?” It’s a great starting point.
God bless you!
Thank you for this…it did help me and the church a lot. I am also involve in the ministry here in Thailand.
That’s fantastic Dennis, great to hear! Whereabout are you? I’m in Sriracha, a coastal town somewhere between Bangkok and Pattaya.
Dear Simon,
May God richly bless for sharing this annual sermon series ideas. I am a Pastor in Africa,Zambia and I must admit that coming up with a sermon idea every Sunday is always a daunting task,especially when you have to combine your duties as a Pastor for a small rural church and bread winner for the family,the later tends to take up your time and energy,but with a pre-planned sermon series it should make the preaching task a bit easier.
Stay blessed.
Thank you Festus, I hear you. Sometimes unfortunately our preaching preparation can get left to the last minute as the busyness of the day takes over.
Yes preparing your sermon series ideas 12 months in advance, and having the monthly themes, realy takes the pressure off because you have at least a general idea of the topics you’re talking about. I also think that there’s nothign wrong with delegating your sermon writing to someone else, getting the mian structure in place then you adding your own personal touches.
I hope this helps lighten your load pastor. God bless you!
Sir, You have really done a great job by putting these series of sermon together. I think this is not you but God who inspired you. I’m not a pastor but I’m privileged to be a teacher of the Word. I find this really helpful.
Thank you and be blessed.
Thanks Taiwo, I just wanted to give some ideas to show you how easy it is to put a sermon series together and help make you Sunday morning a service an event. The great think about preaching monthly sermon series and planning in advance, is that you can be sure you are teaching a variety of different topics, especially if you think of what direction you want to take your church in the next twelve months.
Take them, use them, have fun with them!
This is awesome, great job!!! To God be the Glory for your work and ideas!! Love it all. Is there a way to get the sermon notes? I woyld love yo do these for 2017, what a blessing it woyld be!! Thanks.. Pastor Ross
Hello
I just want to say that you have done great work preparing 1 year sermon series. Do you have anymore or where can i get some other ideas?
Thanks Roberto, it took me a long time to put this together so it’s good to know you’ve found these sermon series ideas helpful!
Honestly, inspiration can come from anywhere – the latest films, books can all be great for generating ideas.
Here in Thailand we just finished a month’s “Summer at the movies” June theme – each month we took clips from different films – Cinderella, Life of Walter Mitty, Pursuit of Happyness and Frozen and preached a message in between the clips. It was a lot of fun and members invited a lot of new people to the church! We had popcorn, ice-cream, a countdown, handed out tickets and did a prize draw each week and did announcements while the credits were rolling.
It took a lot of work but was worth it ๐ We decided to do for a bit of light relief a month’s sermon series called ‘Grow” where we walked about quite heavy topics like studying the Bible for yourself, how to pray, being faithful in coming to church etc. If you can, I highly recommend it! Use your projector – get a couple of extra wide screen TVs if you can – make it feel like a cinema. Great for families too.
Sorry about the spelling…. talk texting/typing!! Lol… Modern tech!
Don’t worry Ross, it happens to the best of us! I could have been nice and corrected but it’s ok ๐
Sermon notes? Now that’s a good question… some of these we didn’t actually do in our church, but some of them we did. Let me have a dig around.
Thank you for responding and please let me know if you find any, thanks!! Blessings… Ross
Yes of course : )