10 Message Prep Thoughts

Message preparation is a never ending task. For me it is a lifestyle. I do not look at it just as work, but as central to my life. Here are some of the principles that guide my in my preparation.

#1 HAVE A GENERAL PLAN IN PLACE We look to do both new and old testaments. We also balance this with some series on topics vital to the health of a church. Jesus took a topical approach to preaching.

At Sanctuary we take an expository approach to the scriptures where we unpack the bible verse by verse.

We just finished a series on, “What Are You Watching?” to highlight what our culture is observing and then see what God has to say. We did this to follow up on our Easter services so the non-churched person at zero point spiritually could grab onto the series titles.

It is much easier for me to prepare to speak from books of the bible than it is to do series, because the topic is chosen for me and I simply have to explain the verses or chapter. When doing a series, you are faced with narrowing the choices down and that can be tough sometimes.

#2 GAIN INFORMATION AND INSPIRATIONThe message is not simply to DISPENSE a boatload of bible facts and call it a day. I am not just giving a bible lecture.

 

I tend to keep working at the message until it moves me somehow. I have tossed messages that I put a fair amount of work into if in the end they do not move me. I need my heart to be touched. I need to be inspired. I need to feel like the content is helpful and worthy of people’s time.

When I am preparing the message, I am looking to explain the passage in a way that is engaging and creative if I can some up with something creative! This does not always happen! I try to gain as much information about a passage or subject as possible. I will take hand written notes on blank white pieces of paper. I also will prepare a word document.

#3 DETAILS OF THE MESSAGE and think through the wording and how to best communicate an idea. Sometimes I get stuck… for days! Sometimes I panic on Saturday night!!! Most messages are 20 pages or more in length. I think in terms of laboring to get it in so I am not laboring to get it out.
I want to have clarity of thought so I do not confuse people when speaking a message.

I try to work through all of my ideas in detail

I traffic in words and word pictures and see myself as a wordsmith. I also love stories and common and colorful examples that communicate well.

#4 IS GOD IN THE MESSAGE?

As I prepare the message, I stay mindful of the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and His leading. I want to be spirit led. I seek to prepare with diligence, but remain wholly dependent on the Holy Spirit.

#5 EDIT - EDIT - EDIT! After the message is prepared, I read and pray through it. I slash out stuff that does not fit the whole, does not communicate well, and sometimes its just a subjective feeling that somethings needs to be cut. I do my final tweaking about an hour before the service.

 

#6 PRAY - PRAY - PRAY!I pray through the message and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to me and guide me. Ideally the message is soaked in prayer if I am not too rushed in preparation.

 

#7 ASK FOR HELP!

In between the first and second sevices, whoever is speaking gets some feedback about the message. For example, last Sunday Ridge told me to not apoligize about the length of the message and make the point about singles and morality more clear. I then tweaked the message for the second service.

#8 BE OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Once the message is being given, I seek to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and edit and add points and stories and scriptures on the spot. I will mix it up for the two services. I want to speak what He wants spoken, not what Rod thinks is cool or funny. I look to speak in the fear of God, and not the frown of men. The goal is not to be popular.

There are often times when I feel prompted to elaborate points far beyond my text and edit other points. Sometimes I sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit bringing something to my mind.

#9 SHARE YOUR FAILURES I seek to be real and open and share my failures. We are called to die to ourselves, to die to our pride and projecting an image. Preachers can hide behind their exposition and Spurgeon quotes and internet preacher stories. I think that people relate to failures more than they do to success. People have tasted of failure and need to know that the speaker also faces the same struggles and offers hope.

Its hard to fake transparency and usually people are street smart enough to sniff out fakers. Be genuine.

#10 KEEP IT SIMPLE BABY

I do not care about being sophisicated, I care abut being understood. The common man could understand the Son of God, and should be able to understand me. I try to come up with message titles and outlines that make sense. I try to have content that is memorable and potentially life transforming. I like to give people some thing TO DO WITH THE MESSAGE! Something about being “doers of the word, and not hearers only”. (James 2)