Success in the Pulpit
—Course index
This course provides techniques for those who want to preach and teach the Bible. Touch or click a heading below to go to the lesson.
CURE FOR PULPIT NERVES
Pulpit nerves are caused by two glands, one on top of each kidney. They are called “adrenals”. They charge the blood stream with hormones that prepare the body for fight or flight. Since one cannot fight or flee in the pulpit, the hormones cause various uncomfortable symptoms. You can control this problem.
LEADING PUBLIC PRAYER
Leading a congregation in prayer is a most important responsibility. When you are called upon to do it, you should try your utmost to do it right. To help you lead an effective prayer, this page points out some of the mistakes to avoid.
PUBLIC PRAYER CHECKLIST
This checklist helps you to lead prayers in an intelligent and effective manner. Some of the points on this checklist are covered in detail in the lesson above on Leading Public Prayer. This checklist is a reminder.
READING THE BIBLE PUBLICLY
Public reading of the scripture is a regular practice in many churches. The person given this duty should take it very seriously and prepare for it well. Most of the pointers on this page also apply to reading a passage of scripture during the course of preaching a sermon.
BIBLE READING CHECKLIST
This checklist helps you to publicly read the scriptures in an intelligent and effective manner. Some of the points on this checklist are covered in detail in the lesson above on Reading the Bible Publicly. This checklist is a reminder.
SERMON TYPES AND TECHNIQUES
A good preacher has not only a message but also a method. This study classifies sermons according to seven methods. You choose and apply the best method for the message you wish to communicate. By using a variety of methods, you keep your preaching fresh.
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT (1)
Here's your first quiz and activity for review and practice.
A SERMON’S PURPOSE
A good preacher has Not just a subject, but also an object. This study classifies sermons according to seven aims. You choose what you want your lesson to accomplish. —your primary objective. You may, of course, have more than one goal in mind, but you should be aware of your main purpose.
BIBLE STUDY METHOD
There are seven exercises which, taken together, will empower you to do your own independent Biblical research and interpretation —and get it right because you are letting the Bible be its own commentary and interpreter
BIBLE STUDY CHECKLIST
The basis of any Christian sermon is Bible study. This checklist helps you to address a passage of scripture in an intelligent and effective manner. It ensures that your Bible study is thorough, fruitful, and empowering. Some of the points on this checklist are covered in detail in the above lesson on Bible Study Method. This checklist is a reminder.
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT (2)
Here's your second quiz and activity for review and practice.
SERMON STRUCTURE AND FLOW
The sermon flow chart is easy to understand, and provides you with a concise schema or underlying structure which you use intelligently and creatively. In some sermons you may want the structure to be tight, and clearly discernible to the audience. In others you will disguise it, or keep it loose. However the structure should always be there.
PRESENTATION CHECKLIST (SPEAKER)
Here are a dozen secrets of success in the pulpit or in any public speaking situation. These tips are for the presentation of the speaker
“QUICK” BIBLE STUDY
You may wonder how a skilled Bible teacher can draw out of a passage far more than you ever saw in it, though you have read it many times. This page will give you the “secret” of how to study a short passage, quickly yet thoroughly, so as to draw the most out of it.
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT (3)
Here's your third quiz and activity for review and practice.
LIST OUTLINING
By far the simplest approach to sermon building is to think of your sermon outline as a list. Although few of us are obsessively fascinated by lists, we all make them. The art of making lists is not mysterious to us. There is no end to the number of excellent sermon outlines you can make this way, especially with the help of our LOG (List Outline Generator).
PRESENTATION CHECKLIST (SERMON)
Here a dozen secrets of success in the pulpit or in any public speaking situation. These tips are about the sermon.
NEVER RUN DRY
The commonest problem that those regularly teaching and preaching have, is drought. Ideas dry up and you find yourself scratching around for a topic and material. Fortunately this is any easy problem to get rid of
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT (4)
Here's your fourth quiz and activity for review and practice.
LIST OUTLINE GENERATOR
There's a magic box to help you with list outlining. It's the List Outline Generator (LOG). You think of any generic theme such as Prayer, the Holy Spirit, Heaven, Love, or whatever. Then you cast your eyes over the LOG. Certain words will suggest themselves as a specific theme to turn your generic theme into a list outline.
LIST OUTLINE CHECKLIST
This checklist helps you ensure that your list outline is done properly.
SEVEN KEYS TO MEMORY POWER
In the right amount, speaking or quoting from memory brings a simplicity and directness to your presentation. Too little memorized, and you appear not to know your subject. Too much memorized, and you resemble a parrot. These seven keys to memory power will help you to memorize what is necessary.