Skill Builders—Preaching Development

Use our 9-step process for feeding your own soul, honing your craft, and connecting Scripture to real life. Each step has a Foundational Article (all the nuts bolts), our editors' picks to get you started, and then dozens more skill articles to dig deeper. Get the big picture of your weekly sermon prep process, or delve into one step at a time for focused development.

Step 1:
Prepare Your Soul
Consider how to keep your soul fresh with God—week after week.
Step 2:
Plan Your Preaching
Practical ways to determine your texts, topics, and series.
Step 3:
Get the Big Idea
Get the central idea of your text and stay focused on it.
Step 4:
Organize Your Sermon
Here's how to find the structure that will most effectively deliver.
Step 5:
Find the Big Story
Connect to the story of Scripture and Christ's redemptive work.
Step 6:
Illustrate Your Message
Here's your essential guide to sermon illustrations.
Step 7:
Apply Your Message
How to give clear, grace-filled applications for transformation.
Step 8:
Deliver and Evaluate
How to deliver and evaluate your sermon so people meet Christ.
Step 9:
Plan Special Topics
How to make the most out of preaching on holidays and special events.