Preaching Techniques Resources

maintained by Peter F. Whyte (additional suggestions welcome)
As this page is always changing you will find a chronological list of additions to the preaching resources section of the site on the recent additions page.

Items on this page are identified by the following symbols: audio recordings, articles, blog entries, books, downloads, and podcasts.

How to ...

Colin Adams [info]
‘How I Prepare Sermons’, Unashamed Workman, 9 Apr 2008.

——, ‘Surviving (and Thriving) In Sermon Writing’, Unashamed Workman, 9 May 2008.

Mark Dever [info]
‘On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons’, interview by C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Blog, 23 Sep 2008.

Steve Mathewson[info]
‘Struggling Through Sermon Block’, Preaching Today Blog, 7 Mar 2008.

Peter Mead [info]
"Dealing With Personal Inadequacies in Preaching" Biblical Preaching, 23 Dec 2008.

Matthew R. Perry [info]
‘Personal Method and Model for Expository Preaching’, Expositionalogistix, 7 Feb 2008

——, ‘Spurgeon on Extemporaneous Preaching — Are You Kidding Me?’, Expositionalogistix (11 Feb 2008)
To whet your appetite, Perry says, “Preachers should be the most well-read individuals on the planet — with the Scriptures being the first in line, of course.”

——, ‘To Whom Do We Look First When Preparing Our Sermons?’, Expositionalogistix, Part I (9 Jan 2008)

John Piper [info]
‘Pornography, the Heart, and Sermon Prep’, interview by C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Blog, 15 Oct 2008.

Appeals

Tullian Tchividjia[info] ‘A Caution To Preachers’ (10 Jan 2008)

Application

Colin Adams [info]
‘Four Application Questions’, on Unashamed Workman, 26 Sep 2007

R. Scott Clarke [info]
Preaching and Application at Westminster Seminary California, Heidelblog, 14 Aug 2008.
[Don't be put off by the title, thinking it is merely about WSC. There is a good deal of general material here that is most helpful in thinking through sermon application.]

Conclusions

Colin Adams [info]
‘Concluding Like Calvin’, on Unashamed Workman, 17 Aug 2007

John Brand [info]
‘Concerning Conclusions’, Encouraging Expository Excellence, 8 Feb 2008 + pdf download.

Exegesis

Don A. Carson [info], Exegetical Fallacies
[reviews: Matt Harmon]

Peter Grainger[info],
‘Digging into the Text’ part 1 and part 2, 21 Feb 2008 (via Unashamed Workman)

John Piper[info]
‘Guidelines for Writing a Research Paper in New Testament Exegesis’, Desiring God, 1 Jan 1995

Hard Texts

Peter Mead [info]
‘Complicated Passage, Clear Preaching’, Biblical Preaching, 8 Jul 2008

Matthew R. Perry [info]
How Preaching the Hard Texts Can Endear You To Your People
[quotes: Expositionalogistix, 23 May 2008]

Illustrations

Bryan Chapell [info]
Using Illustrations To Preach With Power
[quotes: Justin Buzzard]

Peter Mead [info]
Biblical Preaching, ‘Illustrations of Relevance?’

Introductions

John Brand [info]
‘Introducing Introductions’, Encouraging Expository Excellence, 6 Feb 2008 + pdf download.

Notes

Josh Harris, Preaching Notes: a series of blog posts with examples of notes from well-known preachers.

Steve Mathewson [info]
‘Notes or Not?’, PreachingToday Blog, 22 Jan 2008

Peter Mead [info]
Biblical Preaching, “Notes or no notes?” Part 1: why? (12 June), Part 2: how? (13 June), Part 3: manuscripts (17 June 2007)

The Reading

Colin Adams [info]
‘Giving the Word Prominence’, Unashamed Workman (3 Oct 2007).

Peter Mead [info]
‘Where to place the reading’ part 1 (10 Sep), part 2 (11 Sep 2007). Biblical Preaching.

Reg Grant, ‘How to read Effectively from the Pulpit’, also called ‘Reading Scripture to Change Lives’

Points & Titles, etc

John Brand [info]
‘Pointers about Points’, Encouraging Expository Excellence, 7 Feb 2008 + pdf download.

Steve Mathewson [info]
‘Slow Turns’, PreachingToday Blog, 18 Jan 2008

Peter Mead [info]
Biblical Preaching:
‘Sermon Titles: Tricky Little Things’, 18 Jun 2007. Some useful comments on this posting.
‘Pointers for Points’, 20 Jul 2007.

Special Occasions

David Cook
How to Speak at Special Events, (Christian Focus Publications, 2008), ISBN-13: 9781845502775, 192pp.
[recommended by Colin Adams]

Scott M. Gibson
Preaching for Special Services
[reviews: Peter Mead (4 Jan 2009)]

Matthew R. Perry [info]
‘Practical Tips for Preaching a Funeral’, Expositionalogistix, 23 Jan 2008

—— ‘Preaching a Funeral For An Unbeliever’, Expositionalogistix, 21 Nov 2008

—— ‘Scriptures I Use For Funeral Services’, Expositionalogistix, 13 Feb 2008

Rich Ryan
‘The Peril of Systematic Expository Preaching on Special Occasions’, Expository Thoughts, 14 May 2008.

Study & Commentaries

Colin Adams [info]
‘Four Fruitful Questions’, Unashamed Workman, part 1 (7 Nov) & part 2 (14 Nov 2007)

Steve Mathewson [info]
‘Using Commentaries in Sermon Preparation’ Preaching Today blog, 29 June 2007.

———, ‘When the Bible Contradicts Your Idea for a Sermon’, Preaching Today blog, 15 Jan 2008

Peter Mead [info]
Biblical Preaching:
‘A Life of Study’ part 1 (14 Sep), part 2 (15 Sep 2007). Some helpful reflections on some of Fred Cradock's suggestions for cultivating and guarding a life of study.
I found Peter's comments on using small units of time profitably most helpful. I've found this invaluable over the past year or so. It also helps me to retain what I've read, and reflect more profitably on it. I also found his suggestion of reading works of literature interesting. I've always done this, so hadn't noticed the connection that he makes between using one's imagination in preaching and the type of book that one reads: heavy/technical theology versus good works of literary fiction or poetry. [Peter]

———, ‘Weighing Interpretation Options’, Preaching Today blog, 27 Oct 2008

Benjamin B. Warfield
"The Religious Life of Theological Students", The Master's Seminary Journal, Fall 1995, vol 6.2, pp. 181-195.

Topical Preaching

Peter Mead [info]
Biblical Preaching:
‘What about Topical Preaching?’ part 1 (12 Sep), part 2 (13 Sep 2007).

standard citation for this article:
Peter F. Whyte (compiler), “Preaching Techniques Resources”, last updated 13 Jan 2008 Gilnahirk Baptist Church Web site. http://www.gilnahirkbaptist.org.uk/resources/study/preaching.howto.php (accessed 7 Jan 2009).