1. The Challenge of Preaching

• Thinking is hard.
• Thinking about how we think is even harder.
• Homiletics (the study of preaching) tries to explain how preachers prepare sermons.
• This is difficult because every preacher works differently.

2. Who Do We Study?

• Not every preacher is worth copying—some are ineffective.
• Even famous preachers use different methods.
• Some claim they have “no method” and just speak from the heart.
• But in reality, most effective preachers follow some kind of system, even if they don’t realize it.

3. Lessons from Different Methods

• Two truths stand out:
  1. Thinking is dynamic—it changes and adapts.
  2. Too many rules can hinder thinking.
• Example: A lawyer’s golf game worsened after reading too many “how-to” books. Over-instruction can hurt natural ability.

4. Preaching Is More Than Following Rules

• Good preaching requires insight, imagination, and spiritual sensitivity.
• Building a sermon is more like building a cathedral than a doghouse—it takes skill, vision, and patience.
• Still, beginners need guidance and practical steps to start.

5. Learning from Others

• Apprentices benefit from seeing how experienced preachers work.
• Each preacher must eventually develop their own style through practice.
• Awareness of different approaches builds confidence and saves time.

6. Stages of Sermon Preparation

• Robinson introduces stages of preparation (though they often overlap).
• Example: Choosing the passage is the first step—like “catching the rabbit” before cooking.
• Other steps (like writing the introduction) may come later, but sometimes ideas appear early and can be used later.

Simplified Teaching Points

• Preaching is not mechanical—it’s creative and spiritual.
• Effective preachers usually have a method, even if they don’t admit it.
• Beginners should learn structured steps but remain flexible.
• Sermon preparation involves stages: choosing the passage, developing the idea, shaping the outline, and writing the introduction/conclusion.
• The process is dynamic—sometimes steps overlap or shift.

Teaching Guide – Stage One: Choosing the Passage

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will:

1. Understand why choosing the passage is the first step in sermon preparation.
2. Learn how to select passages based on natural divisions of thought.
3. Recognize the importance of planning a preaching calendar.
4. Practice identifying appropriate units of Scripture for preaching.

Lesson Flow

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teaching Point: Robinson compares sermon preparation to cooking a rabbit dish: “First catch the rabbit.” Without a passage, there is no sermon.
• Illustration: Just as a builder needs materials before construction, a preacher needs a text before shaping a message.
• Discussion Question: Why do you think choosing the passage is the most important first step?

II. The Importance of Planning (10 minutes)

• Teaching: A wise preacher doesn’t wait until Tuesday to decide what to preach on Sunday.
• Key Point: Planning a preaching calendar for the year saves time and ensures balance in teaching.
• Exercise: Ask students to sketch a 1‑month preaching calendar, choosing passages that address both biblical truth and the needs of the congregation.

III. Selecting Natural Divisions of Scripture (15 minutes)

• Teaching: Passages should be chosen based on the biblical writer’s ideas, not arbitrary verse counts.
• Examples:
  • New Testament letters: Usually select by paragraphs, since they mark units of thought.
  • Narratives: Often require larger sections (e.g., 2 Samuel 11–12 for David and Bathsheba).
  • Poetry/Psalms: Typically preached as whole psalms or stanzas.
• Discussion Question: What problems might arise if a preacher divides a story or psalm unnaturally?
• Exercise: Give students three passages (a letter, a narrative, and a psalm). Ask them to identify the natural unit of thought for each.

IV. Paragraphs and Translations (10 minutes)

• Teaching: Paragraph divisions differ across translations, but all aim to show shifts in thought.
• Key Point: A diligent expositor compares divisions in different translations and, if possible, the original languages.
• Exercise: Provide two translations of the same passage (e.g., Philippians 2:1–11). Ask students to compare paragraph divisions and decide which best reflects the flow of thought.

V. The Role of the Preacher (10 minutes)

• Teaching: The preacher is a bridge-builder—connecting God’s Word to the needs of the people.
• Key Point: Choosing passages wisely requires knowing both the Bible and the congregation.
• Discussion Question: How can a preacher balance faithfulness to Scripture with sensitivity to the congregation’s needs?
• Exercise: Ask students to list three needs in their church/community and suggest passages that could address them.

VI. Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Recap: Choosing the passage is the foundation of expository preaching. It requires planning, sensitivity, and respect for the biblical writer’s thought units.
• Challenge: “As you prepare sermons, don’t just grab a verse—catch the rabbit. Choose passages that reflect the author’s intent and meet the needs of your people.”

Homework / Practice

• Select one passage from a New Testament letter, one from a narrative, and one psalm.
• For each, identify the natural unit of thought and write a short explanation of why it is a good preaching passage.
• Begin drafting a 3‑month preaching calendar using these selections.

✅ Summary in Simple English: Stage One of sermon preparation is choosing the passage. Preachers must plan ahead, select natural divisions of Scripture, and consider both the biblical author’s intent and the congregation’s needs. This step lays the foundation for faithful, effective preaching.

Teaching Guide – Sermon Length

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will:

1. Recognize the importance of tailoring a sermon to the time available.
2. Learn how to make wise choices about what to include or exclude.
3. Understand the difference between detailed analysis and broad overview.
4. Practice adjusting sermon outlines to fit different time limits.

Lesson Flow

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teaching Point: Every preacher has limited time. Robinson says, “An honest man will not steal time not granted to him.”
• Illustration: Just as a chef must serve within a set mealtime, a preacher must deliver within the time allowed.
• Discussion Question: Why is it important to respect time limits in preaching?

II. Time Shapes the Sermon (10 minutes)

• Teaching: Whether given 30 minutes or 60 minutes, a preacher cannot say everything discovered in study.
• Key Point: The preacher must decide what to include and what to leave out.
• Exercise: Give students a passage (e.g., John 15:1–8). Ask them to list everything they might preach. Then have them cut down to 3 main points for a 30‑minute sermon.

III. Bird’s-Eye vs. Worm’s-Eye View (10 minutes)

• Teaching:
  • Bird’s-eye view: Broad overview of a passage.
  • Worm’s-eye view: Detailed analysis of a smaller section.
• Illustration: Like looking at a forest vs. examining one tree.
• Discussion Question: When might a broad overview be more helpful than detailed analysis?
• Exercise: Compare preaching the whole Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) vs. focusing only on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12).

IV. Topical and Life-Situation Preaching (15 minutes)

• Teaching: Sometimes sermons are topical (e.g., Trinity, forgiveness, grief).
• Sources for topical preaching:
  • Analytical concordances.
  • Topical Bibles.
  • Theology books.
• Life-situation preaching: Addressing personal concerns like guilt, loneliness, or marriage.
• Exercise: Ask students to choose a topic (e.g., “fear”) and find 2–3 passages that could form the basis of a sermon.

V. Balancing Scripture and Congregation Needs (10 minutes)

• Teaching: Not all Scripture is equally profitable for every congregation at every time.
• Key Point: The preacher must know both the Bible and the needs of the people.
• Discussion Question: How can a preacher discern what passages or topics are most needed in their church?
• Exercise: Have students list 3 current needs in their community and suggest passages that could address them.

VI. Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Recap: Sermon length requires wise choices. Preachers must balance depth with clarity, overview with detail, and Scripture with the needs of the congregation.
• Challenge: “Tailor your sermon to the time you have. Cut in the study, not in the pulpit.”

Homework / Practice

• Prepare two outlines on the same passage (e.g., Philippians 4:6–7):
  1. A 20‑minute version (short, focused).
  2. A 45‑minute version (expanded, detailed).
• Compare how the content changes and reflect on what was cut or added.

✅ Summary in Simple English: Sermon length matters. Preachers must respect time limits, choose wisely what to include, and balance overview with detail. Topical and life-situation preaching also require careful passage selection. Ultimately, the preacher serves as a bridge between God’s Word and the congregation’s needs.