Friday morning is normally sermon writing morning, but the challenge is always getting started. The introduction has to be gripping and draw people in. The first words are important, so need careful thought. I'm preaching from 1 Thessalonians 2, so here goes...
Thanks for the reminder - I need to start on mine when I get home!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's lunchtime now, you must be done by now ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell we have a rough first draft. It needs to be polished and improved, but at least the pages aren't blank any more!
ReplyDeleteHow long does it take Gary? Do you read as you go or gather up your ideas first?
ReplyDeleteWils, it depends, but probably about 20 hours, over the course of the week. Monday: print the passage and work on it, noting important words, the structure of the passage, the wider context in the Bible book and the whole Bible. Tuesday: start forming a structure for the sermon, ideas about application etc, and some reading of the commentaries. On Tuesday and Thursday we have staff meetings and normally the morning passage is discussed on Tue and the evening on Thur. Helpful insights and other ideas from the staff team. Friday: write it up (if not already done). By this stage I have a good idea where I'm going with it so it's just getting it down on paper, then I use the rest of Friday and Sunday morning for polishing and reshaping.
ReplyDeleteAll that's an ideal week- without including the pastoral visits, training days, funerals and other stuff that pops up unexpectedly!
I have found that when writing devotionals, all I need to do is make a trip to the grocery store and it can yield all kinds of inspirations! Not to mention some real entertainment! LOL
ReplyDeleteSo Saturday's the day of rest? Enjoy after all that good hard work.
ReplyDelete