Last Sunday was the second time I gave a sermon in CDPC. And next week would be homiletic exam. Make a mental note to quote Peter Rowan to score extra points!
So I've been reading a couple of books on preaching, including some articles from the well known homiletic guru Haddon Robinson. Here are some tips picked up that are quite handy...
- Preaching to everyone in particular. It's not so effective to describe things in abstract concepts (like we need to work for reconciliation) and stay there. Bring in concrete examples or experiences (ie tell of Meng's work at the council for resolving communal conflict) to make it real. And people can identify with this even if they have never done it before.
- Articulate what the people have been thinking or feeling. Be a mirror that reflects back to the audience "This is who i am". It bridges distance and lets them know that you understand what they are going thru.
- Make every word count. I always have the nagging fear that the MTV generation has a short attention span. So keep it short, rapid but impactful. Like jeet kune do.
- Speak the people's lingo. Check the temptation to give a Templeton lecture.
- Preach doctrine practically and preach duty doctrinally. Whenever u teach a doctrine ie sovereignty of God, tease out the 'so what?' applications. Whenever u want to recommend how the people should respond or act, always motivate them with truth and the theological reasons behind these actions.
So I've been reading a couple of books on preaching, including some articles from the well known homiletic guru Haddon Robinson. Here are some tips picked up that are quite handy...
- Preaching to everyone in particular. It's not so effective to describe things in abstract concepts (like we need to work for reconciliation) and stay there. Bring in concrete examples or experiences (ie tell of Meng's work at the council for resolving communal conflict) to make it real. And people can identify with this even if they have never done it before.
- Articulate what the people have been thinking or feeling. Be a mirror that reflects back to the audience "This is who i am". It bridges distance and lets them know that you understand what they are going thru.
- Make every word count. I always have the nagging fear that the MTV generation has a short attention span. So keep it short, rapid but impactful. Like jeet kune do.
- Speak the people's lingo. Check the temptation to give a Templeton lecture.
- Preach doctrine practically and preach duty doctrinally. Whenever u teach a doctrine ie sovereignty of God, tease out the 'so what?' applications. Whenever u want to recommend how the people should respond or act, always motivate them with truth and the theological reasons behind these actions.
Comments
in one of our class discussions, someone mentioned about sometimes hearing stories that are all over the place, some for the sake of getting some laughs instead of serving the sermon... even some dangerously off colour too it seems