The Front Porch - Sermon Preparation

Thabiti Anyabwile, Louis Love, and Tony Carter return to one of their favorite front porches to discuss how they prepare to divide the Word for their congregations. How many hours do these brothers put in? What days are devoted to sermon prep? How do you prepare for sermons? C'mon up on the porch and join in the conversation.

[@MrHeartone]

Great discussion on Sermon prep; however I would like to hear about Text selection. Is there any planning for the year, quarter, etc. that you focus on.

[@christopherbaines2998]

This was some great insight into the minds of 3 Spiritual Heavyweights of our day. Informative for younger preachers as myself, to see where to buckle down in some areas and where there is freedom in preparation! Great video! Soli Deo Gloria!!!

[@jamalabdelbaset6635]

Christopher Baines Well said, brother!

[@Ardley101]

What happened to the front porch? You guys need to continue.

[@ministersd]

This is a headstarter! Great information. Good info. concerning commmentarys. My teacher also told me "when the Holy Spirit guides you won't slide". This is the same teacher who does not use a commentary (had no need for it). Have your sermon before reading a commentary. Then if you need to add or delete, one can. There are different styles. Prayer to all who proclaim The Word of God.

[@louie115]

i start my preparation on Monday and finish by Friday. I also incorporate power point visuals. if i do a one week seminar for leadership training i prepare 2 to 3 months ahead of time.

[@jimmiel.thompson-reece4303]

I love to listen to you three! It is so invigorating!! You all really make my day!

[@benjaminclements1792]

Eugene Bell, you point out a critical point and question. Fortunately, there is an answer. We are a long time removed from the time and culture of the original writings that give us our "books of the Bible". Now, if your speak with someone 30 years younger or older than you are, you will notice a significant difference in genre and jargon (slang and such). Literary styles also vary over time. Pastors who study properly will learn first what God's Word is saying to the original recipients of the text based on the literary style, genre, jargon, etc. of the day. In other words, we should study to understand what God is saying to THEM first. Then we can begin to clearly apply the text to our current context. A sermon is then structured to teach current hearers: 1. What God said to them (with a clear exposition of the text itself - ie. explain word definitions as they were meant to mean THEN). 2. How the original recipients understood what they received THEN based on their own context (where they lived and how life was then as it influences their understanding of what is written and what is read). 3. How all the above is then properly translated to us based on their context. Unfortunately, if we do not prepare the sermon based on the original context first we are subject to read our current context into the scripture. Then we are informing the Bible rather than allowing the Bible to inform us, thus taking scripture out of context. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to understand a sermon from then in our modern context (definitions, experience, genre, jargon, etc.). So, it is impossible for the preacher to properly expound upon God's Word in the same amount of time it took the inspired writers to pen the words we are preaching. Even still, I have not even touched on how pastors tell how a passage fits into the "whole story" of the Bible. In other words, there are threads running throughout the Bible that work together. For instance, Isaiah 9:6 is a prophecy that we know has been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus (as is Isaiah 53, etc.). When we preach now, we do a certain amount of telling the story as a whole as we have the benefit of looking back over the entire text. As we can see how the inspired writers penned words that all work together, we have a benefit not available to them - hindsight meeting current context. I've only scratched the surface of an actually basic answer to your question. I truly hope my attempt has offered a bit of clarity to your properly placed question. God bless you.

[@elishataylorjr]

Great talk guys! Question what brand and model camera are y'all using to record this, and those mics you all are wearing could you please tell me the brand and model? How much does the camera and the mics cost?

[@RobertoPhillips]

Very interesting and edifying dialogue! Please keep updating!

[@joyinthemorning1148]

how long do you preach your message

[@davidwhunt]

Really helpful. Thanks guys

[@thebearded_preacher9052]

you dont train to preach god calls you to preach one of the brothers said he was trained to preach the bible says many are called but few are chosen god bless

[@felixbarney8575]

Thanks Brothers for your insight . ////

[@eugenebell83]

I hate when a sermon goes on and on. The sermon on the mount can be read in about 15 minutes. How then can Jesus give the most important sermon ever given, in 15 minutes and it takes pastors today an hour at least to say what they have to say?

[@Mario_1611]

The sermon on the mount is likely not a recording of everything the Lord said word for word.