Here are two simple rules (besides knowing God) for every sermon:

Rule #1—Know your text.

Rule #2—Know your listeners.

Both rules involve a form of exegesis (literally, "to draw out"). As preaching professor Matthew Kim argues in this week's "Big Idea" article, Rule # 2 involves "a rigorous study of the lives and cultures of our listeners." In other words, "Just as we exegete or draw out meaning from Scripture which is biblical exegesis, we also want to exegete or draw out meaning from the lives and experiences that we share with our hearers." It's part of our "What Preaching Profs Want You to Know" series of skills articles.

This week we also kick-off a three-part sermon series from John and Nancy Ortberg on promoting generosity in a culture that can't say "Enough." If you're preaching on giving or stewardship, over the next three weeks you'll find plenty of biblical material and illustrations for your preaching.

This week we also feature:

• Illustration: Junk Food Execs Don't Eat Their Company's Food
• Video: Be the Church

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.