Timeless wisdom for pastors with forward-thinking solutions.
First Impressions
The communication theory Estimated Relationship Potential shows us that first impressions are powerful.
Episode 2 | 14 min
Writing Effective Introductions
Using your introduction to gain your listener’s interest.
Step 4: Organize the Sermon
Have the Big Idea? Now here’s how to find the structure that will most effectively deliver.
Five Hammer Strokes for Creating Expository Sermon Outlines
Here are the fundamentals to move from a biblical text to a message structure that speaks to today’s listeners.
Why Should I Listen to You?
Principles of effective introductions
The Tension Between Clarity and Suspense
How to choose between inductive and deductive logic.
Effective Introductions
An interview with Leadership managing editor Eric Reed
Felt-Needs Preaching
An interview with Wheaton College president Duane Litfin about speaking to felt needs and real needs.
Grafting in the Third-Person Illustration (part one)
How to make illustrations that do not come from your own experience into an organic part of the sermon.
Basic Sermon Structure
Three architectural laws nearly every sermon should follow.
Avoiding Jigsaw Puzzle Sermons
Sermon achieves clarity through coherent structure.
How to Increase Clarity
Sermon must overcome foggy introduction.
Honing Your Introduction
Four ways to improve the opening minutes of a sermon