Finally a tool to help Pastors shape applications that so many congregations have long desired. "Even the most seasoned homileticians balk at sermon application. Why? Because application requires preachers to toss a grenade-like "thus saith the Lord" into people's lives, and to do so repeatedly." -From the introduction Despite the concern many pastors feel when it comes to sermon application, most homiletics texts devote little more than a chapter, if that, to this vital topic. Daniel Overdorf has filled this glaring gap with "Applying the Sermon." This book equips preachers to develop sermon application that grows from the biblical text and addresses the needs of contemporary congregations. Each chapter includes snippets of interviews with five of today's most respected homileticians--Haddon Robinson, Will Willimon, Tom Long, Vic Pentz, and Bob Russell. A great addition to any pastoral library, and a valuable resource for Bible college and seminary courses, Overdorf's " Applying the Sermon" also includes an extensive bibliography and a sermon application worksheet to give pastors a chance to acquire hands-on experience with these techniques.
In The Art of Prophesying, Puritan William Perkins (1558-1602) teaches how to preach the Word with "studied plainness," not relying on technique or soaring flourishes of oratory, but rather by unleashing the majestic power of the unencumbered Word of God. Unlike so much of the milquetoast preaching heard today, Perkins teaches how to utilize the Scripture in all its capacities: for teaching correct doctrine, for reproof and correction, and for training the godly in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This type of preaching changed lives during Perkins' lifetime, and it has the same effect today. Includes a biographical preface by Benjamin Brook. Scripture references (from the ESV) are embedded in the text as hyperlinks--no internet connection required.
The Steps from Text to Narrative SermonPresenting biblically centered sermons in a new,creative genrePastors and teachers are always on the lookout for newways to expand the effectiveness of their preaching.Sermons delivered in the first-person point of view canweave the power of story and drama into the biblicalteaching, making familiar—and not-so-familiar—characters and situations come to life. This book helpsstudents and pastors understand how first-personsermons can be preached with biblical integrity. Itextends Haddon Robinson’s “big idea” philosophy ofpreaching to this new genre.J. Kent Edwards takes a practical approach as he walksreaders through the steps needed for creating sermonsthat are faithful to the text and engaging to the listener.Examples and worksheets enable readers to apply thisunique approach to one of their own sermons. The bookincludes a CD-ROM with a video sample of first-personnarrative preaching.
Timeless Texts introduces a monograph series for ministry. The General categories introducing the series are Church, Counseling, Preaching and Theology. Other categories will be added in the future. The books are topical writings by contemporary authors addressed to those who are involved in ministry in today's church. That would include Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Counselors and active laymen.
Doing justice to the complexity of the preaching task and the questions that underlie it, Wilson organizes both the preparation and the content of the sermon around its "four pages." Each "page" addresses a different theological and creative component of what happens in any sermon. Page One presents the trouble or conflict that takes place in or that underscores the biblical text itself. Page Two looks at similar conflict--sin or brokenness--in our own time. Page Three returns to the Bible to identify where God is at work in or behind the text--in other words, to discover the good news. Page Four points to God at work in our world, particularly in relation to the situations described in Page Two.
When You Talk, Are People Changed? Whether you speak from the pulpit, podium, or the front of a classroom, you don’t need much more than blank stares and faraway looks to tell you you’re not connecting. Take heart before your audience takes leave! You can convey your message in the powerful, life-changing way it deserves to be told. An insightful, entertaining parable that’s an excellent guide for any speaker, Communicating for a Change takes a simple approach to delivering effectively. Join Pastor Ray as he discovers that the secrets to successful speaking are parallel to the lessons a trucker learns on the road. By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the one basic premise of your message), using your blinkers (making transitions obvious), and implementing five other practical points, you’ll drive your message home every time! “Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” “Once upon a time…” “In the beginning…” Great stories capture and hold an audience’s attention from start to finish. Why should it be any different when you stand up to speak? In Communicating for a Change, Andy Stanley and Lane Jones offer a unique strategy for communicators seeking to deliver captivating and practical messages. In this highly creative presentation, the authors unpack seven concepts that will empower you to engage and impact your audience in a way that leaves them wanting more. “Whether you are a senior pastor with weekly teaching responsibilities or a student pastor who has bern charged with engaging the hearts and minds of high school students, this book is a must-read.” -Bill Hybels, Senior pastor, Willow Creak Community Church “A very practical resource for every biblical communicator who wants to go from good to great.” -Ed Young, Senior pastor, Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas “To communicate effectively, you have to connect. Andy has been connecting with people for years, and now he’s sharing his insights with the rest of us.” -Jeff Foxworthy, Comedian Story Behind the Book Andy Stanley and Lane Jones are on staff at one of America ’s largest churches, North Point Community. Leaders of thousands of people, they regularly speak in front of large groups. They also listen to numerous speakers and know the disastrous effects of a poorly delivered message. This book is the result of their efforts to make public speaking—one of the most common fear-inducing activities known to mankind—simple, easy, and even enjoyable, so that God’s messages will readily produce the life-changing results they should.
In this complete guide to expository preaching, Bryan Chapell teaches the basics of preparation, organization, and delivery--the trademarks of great preaching. This new edition of a bestselling resource, now updated and revised throughout, shows how Chapell's case for expository preaching reaches twenty-first-century readers.
How does one best make ancient biblical texts pertinent to the 21st Century listener, while still maintaining the integrity of the Scriptures? Interpretation and Applicationis designed to provide guidance on how to interpret and apply God's word honestly and accurately in a sermon. This collection of short interviews, essays, and sermons is from today's best known preacher's including Jeffrey Arthurs, Haddon Robinson, Joshua Harris, David Jackman, and John Henry Beukema. The first section addresses important ways to ensure that your sermon doesn't ignore or mishandle God's word. Chapters such as Let the Text Question Your Framework, and Preaching the Melodic Line emphasize the importance of biblical truth over personal style or opinion and focus on drawing out the deeper themes within Scripture. The second half addresses how the Bible intersects with real life, because application is about explaining, equipping, and truly speaking to the hearts of the congregation. Chapters like Blending Bible Content and Life Application and Sermon Application in a Post-Christian Culture address how to preach accurately from the Bible, while still having a regard for the listener's life questions and level of spiritual maturity.
Now in its third edition and featuring a new foreword by New York Times best-selling author David Platt, pastor Mark Dever’s classic book is not an instruction manual for church growth. Rather, it is a wise pastor’s recommendation for how to assess the health of a church using nine crucial qualities often neglected by many of today’s congregations. Church leaders and church members alike will resonate with the principles outlined here, breathing new life and health into the church at large. In this newly revised edition, fresh arguments have been added (for example on expositional preaching, about the nature of the gospel, on complementarianism), illustrations have been updated, appendices have been changed, and cover has been improved.
