The role of the sermon has changed over time. Historically we see it as an opportunity for the pastor to preach to the congregation about the Bible and how they should be living their lives based on what it says. In more recent years, sermons have become much more interactive and focused on the congregation. The sermon is a great opportunity for a pastor to engage with his or her congregation on important topics and communicate important truths. But what is the role of the sermon in a Christian church service? How do you know if yours is doing its job? Below you will find some helpful tips on how to make your sermon do its job and be useful to your congregation on both large and small levels so they walk away with something to think about and discuss outside of the church walls.
Ask good questions.
The first step to a successful sermon is to ask good questions. One of the biggest challenges with sermons is that they often fall into the trap of sounding like lectures with no room for interaction or questions. Instead of talking at people, you want to be talking with them. The best sermons are those that are not only informative but also ask good questions and encourage active listening from the congregation. Some questions you can ask during your sermon include:- Where does your sermon fit into the bigger picture of your church’s teachings? - What are you hoping to learn from this message? - What is the best way to apply this to your life? - How does this relate to your worldview and beliefs? - What can we take away from this message that we can implement today? - How can we share this message with those who are not in this room today?
Use visuals.
Visuals can be helpful for a number of reasons and can help you avoid falling into the trap of sounding like a boring lecture. When used correctly, visuals can help you engage your congregations on a deeper level and bring your sermon to life. Some helpful visuals you can use during your sermon include:- Photos - Photos can be especially helpful when you are trying to illustrate a point. Photos can help to bring your sermon to life and add a visual element to it. They can also help you to illustrate a point without having to go into a lot of detail.- Videos - Videos can be a helpful way to bring your congregation into the sermon. They can also help bring your sermon to a more visual level and make it more memorable. If you use videos, be sure to use a quality source so they don’t detract from your message.- Exhibits - Exhibits are another great way to bring a visual element to your sermon. They can be helpful when trying to teach a lesson. They can help you to illustrate a point and bring it to life. They can also help you to avoid having to speak for too long, which can be a challenge when you are trying to teach a lengthy lesson.- Props - Props are a great way to not only bring a visual element to your sermon but also to stand out from the crowd as a leader. It can be something as simple as a hat or something more extravagant such as a car hood ornament. If you use props, make sure to use them correctly so they don’t distract from your message or cause a safety hazard. You don’t want to be the pastor who trips over his own car hood ornament and ends up in the emergency room as a result.
Keep your message short and sweet.
This is a rule that many preachers break, but it is important to keep your message short and sweet. If you try to make your sermon go on for hours, you run the risk of losing your congregation. Instead, try to keep your message around 30 minutes in length. You also want to make sure that your message is organized and flows in a logical fashion. You don’t want to be jumping around from one topic to another or rambling. A good sermon has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It also has a point and leaves the congregation feeling inspired and equipped to take action.
Summing up.
Summing up your sermon is the chance to tie everything that you’ve discussed together into a single message. It is the last thing that you want to leave the congregation with. It is the chance for you to summarize everything that you’ve said and leave a lasting impression on your congregants. Make sure that your final message is clear and concise. Avoid rambling or trying to say too much. Instead, try to focus on a single main point and leave your congregation feeling inspired and equipped to take action.