This is episode #005 of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.
In this episode, we will discuss the crucial matter of finding and guarding sermon preparation time.
The supreme work of the Christian minister is the work of preaching. This is a day in which one of our great perils is that of doing a thousand little things to the neglect of the one thing, which is preaching. – C. Campbell-Morgan
Here are 7 recommendations I would give for finding time to study.
- Plan ahead.
- Schedule your study time.
- Steal time.
- Study when it’s time to study.
- Educate your people.
- Practice intentional neglect.
- Delegate.
A BONUS POINT: View sermon preparation as spiritual warfare. Translation: Do whatever you have to do to prepare yourself and your message for preaching!
Questions
So what do you think? How do you find time to study? What do you think about the recommendations I shared? How long does it take you to prepare a message? What do you do to guard your study time?
Announcements
- I hope to see you at the 2014 E.K. Bailey Preaching Conference that will meet in Dallas – July 7-10, 2014.
- Early bird registration is still available for the Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference in Jacksonville – September 24-26, 2014
- You can subscribe to this podcast in iTunes. And please leave a review in iTunes to help get the word out about the podcast. Thanks a million!
Thank God for Dr. E.K. Bailey!
Episode Resources
- Well-Driven Nails by Byron Forrest Yawn
- Preaching that Changes Lives by Michael Faberez
- On Preaching by H.B. Charles Jr.
- H.B. Charles Jr.: How do you find time to study?
A QUOTE ON PREACHING: “I don’t need fifteen hours to prepare a sermons. I can prepare a sermon in half an hour. I need fifteen hours to understand the text with clarity. It’s hard to get to the point of clarity. You have to be driven to understand it. But, if you step into the pulpit with a substantially clear grasp of the biblical concept, it has a profound effect on how you preach.” – John F. MacArthur, Jr.
Feedback
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Thanks again for listening.