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Choosing Preaching Texts

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by cowboymatt, Jan 28, 2008.

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  1. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    How do you choose what texts to preach on?

    Do you utilized the Revised Common Lectionary? Or do you choose a series and then simply preach on whatever Scripture is next? Or do you just pick something different every week?

    The real question here, though, is this: how do you avoid only preaching on your hobby-horse texts, texts that you like and texts that support your theological positions?
     
    #1 cowboymatt, Jan 28, 2008
  2. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    I generally try to alternate between an Old Testament Book/Series and a New Testament Book/Series. I also try to keep some balance between the different genres. I found some really good information on this type of thing from Mark Dever and I try to follow his approach for the most part.
     
    #2 PastorSBC1303, Jan 28, 2008
  3. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    Very cool.

    I tend to go to texts that I actually don't want to teach or preach on, like Judges. I find that I am more honest with myself and my parishioners/students when I do this.
     
    #3 cowboymatt, Jan 28, 2008
  4. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    I try to preach through books (of the Bible, of course). I do a short passage each time. I always know what's next. This keeps me from just preaching on everyone else's "pet sins."
     
    #4 SBCPreacher, Jan 28, 2008
  5. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    But how do you choose which book to go to next?

    I ask this because in my experience as a member and preacher/teacher, all too often I or the one preaching/teaching covered the same ground a lot. Using the lectionary could help aleviate this, couldn't it?
     
    #5 cowboymatt, Jan 28, 2008
  6. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    Sure the lectionary could alleviate it... but it is just someone else's schedule (imho) not necessarily what the Lord knows my congregation needs next.

    In terms of what's next, I talk with our leaders, get a sense of what they feel are needs, then get alone with God and plan for 6 months and write down idea for the next 6 months after that.
     
    #6 Tom Bryant, Jan 28, 2008
  7. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    You're right. And I like it that you have other people helping you decide, so that its not too autocratic.
     
    #7 cowboymatt, Jan 28, 2008
  8. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    I go through books, but if there's a particular need or needs, I do some topicals.

    Currently, on Sunday nights, I'm surveying each book of the Bible. The church is excited about it.
     
    #8 TCGreek, Jan 28, 2008
  9. AAA

    AAA New Member

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    I pray to the LORD to see what HE would lead me to preach on and if I do not feel like I got the answer to my prayer, then I pick what i know they need to hear...

    I had a preacher tell me one time if he did not feel like the LORD showed him what to preach on, then he will preach what they needed to hear..."I am a sheepherd of my flock...You know what to feed your children and thier food needs, even if the LORD does not tell you exacly which food to give them"...
     
    #9 AAA, Jan 28, 2008
  10. Bible Believing Bill

    Bible Believing Bill <img src =/bbb.jpg>

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    Our Pastor will be gone for two or three weeks in March and I will be filling in for Sunday Morning and Evening, in addition to the Wed. Bible study that I teach.

    Does anyone have any suggestions for a short series that I could do over the course of two or three weeks, or would it be better to look to stand alone messages?

    Bill
     
    #10 Bible Believing Bill, Jan 29, 2008
  11. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    Haggai makes for a nice short series. I preached it in 2 weeks covering 1 chapter a week. It has a powerful message.
     
    #11 PastorSBC1303, Jan 29, 2008
  12. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    The book of Jude is rich and great for preaching through in two or three weeks.
     
    #12 sag38, Jan 29, 2008
  13. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    I've preached Amos in four messages; what a timely message that is!
     
    #13 cowboymatt, Jan 29, 2008
  14. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I'm always in a series. THere is always at least one Book series. Whether book by book or topic by topic, I'm always expository.

    I do use the lectionary especially during Advent and Easter.
     
    #14 TomVols, Jan 29, 2008
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