Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.
Practice these, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. – 1 Timothy 4:15
Godly preachers are growing preachers. We should grow in our example of Christlike servanthood. Likewise, we should grow in our exposition of the word of God.
As you prayerful make plans for 2024, make sure you are intentional about growing in your preaching of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
How can you grow in your preaching in 2024?
Read. Readers are leaders. You should have a reading plan for daily Bible intake. You should also have a plan for wider reading, which should include a variety of subject matters. And I recommend that you read a major text on preaching each year.
Pray. The apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). It should also be the devotion of every faithful minister. And I do not think it is incidental or accidental that prayer is mentioned before the ministry of the word. It happens after prayer!
Think. Many people live their lives mindlessly going through the motions. That should not be the case for gospel preachers. Concentrate, giving serious focused thought to your work. Creative thinking also strengthens preaching.
Write. Thoughts get untangled when they go through your lips and your fingertips. There is a real sense in which we learn as we read, and read as we learn. Write as much and as often as you can. You should especially write sermon manuscripts.
Love. The strongest preachers love those to whom they preach, not just the message they preach. Sheep bite. And being a shepherd can be filled with dangers, toils, and snares. Christlike, loyal, and sacrificial love will when you a hearing.
Rest. As you plan to preach, you should also plan not to preach. Preaching is the fun part. But, if you take your work seriously, you live in the bondage of weekly preparation. It will aid your preaching greatly to take scheduled breaks.
Live. As you live your life to the fullest, it will strengthen your work in the pulpit. Enjoy yourself. Make the most of every opportunity. Work at your relationships. Get a hobby. Being fully engaged in the life the Lord has providentially ordained for you will make you are stronger preacher.
What else do you think will help you grow as a preacher?
God has ordained that our preaching become deeper and more winsome as we are broken, humbled, and made low and desperately dependent on grace by the trials of our lives. – John Piper
HBC2 RESOURCES:
- On Preaching by H.B. Charles Jr.
- On Pastoring by H.B. Charles Jr.
- On Worship by H.B. Charles Jr.
- It Happens After Prayer by H.B. Charles Jr.
- The Difference Jesus Makes by H.B. Charles Jr.
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