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Preparation: Part 2: Self-Evaluation

How should I invest my limited study time so that I am ready to preach?

Self-Evaluation

How could your sermon preparation process be changed so that you consistently produce higher quality sermons? The following questions can lead your thinking in the possibilities.

• Do you (a) look forward to sermon preparation, (b) accept it as a weekly discipline, or (c) dread it?
  
  
• How satisfied are you with your preparation process? (a) very dissatisfied, (b) dissatisfied, (c) mixed feelings, (d) satisfied, or (e) very satisfied.
  
  
• If you are dissatisfied with your preparation process, which areas would you identify as problematic?

(a) My sermon method
(b) The logistics of place and schedule
(c) Study resources
(d) The preparation of my heart
(e) My level of gifting or training in preaching
(f) My ability to conceive and develop ideas

Sermon method

• Have you read two or more homiletics books that give a step-by-step process for sermon preparation (see further reading below)? Do you use one of the systems, or have you modified it for your personal style of preparation?
  
  
• Do you have a routine regarding the stages of Bible study, sermonizing, the writing of a manuscript, and so on? Do you have a routine regarding the ratio of time given to each of these stages?