Bible Research
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Bible sermons are important for people to hear at least once a week, taking in the Word of God and applying it to every aspect of life. The Word can refresh the weary soul and when consistently received into the heart, dynamic changes occur. Usually, most will hear sermons during the Sunday service at a local church. A sermon is basically a speech, which is meant to encourage Christians in their walk with God or to encourage non-Christians to consider their lives, sins and the road to a new life. A good teaching and presentation comes from a lot of Bible research. They should be based on a passage of Scripture or should reference specific Scripture verses. Some people, usually pastors or preachers, have a lot of experience writing sermons and conducting research because this is part of their gifts and therefore, ministry. Knowing where to start is the first step in composing a sermon. When taking the process step-by-step, the task is much less intimidating. Writers need to pray, conduct research on the chosen topic and look for advice from an experienced preacher. "Apply thine heart to instruction, and thine ears to the worlds of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12)
Those who are called to preach should consider themselves as blessed. Just think - preachers will have the full attention of a large group of people for ten to fifteen minutes. There are many important, Biblical messages and lessons that can be shared. Perhaps there is a specific point that is close to the heart. Everyone has a Bible story or scripture that has touched their life in a specific way. Some of the best Bible sermons come out of a preacher's favorite Scripture verses or story. Consider a point or lesson that can come from a significant experience and a verse or story that can relate. Conducting Bible research to keep the message rooted in God's Word is important. After all, the Lord has the most profound messages to share.
Once a point is determined, then those compiling a message can make a list of the verses that will be referenced. If having trouble finding verses, there are many references available through outside sources. Bible research is now simpler than ever, especially with the Internet. There are agencies that have topics listed with Scripture references online. This is simple when logging online. Just find a major online Bible search website. These sites will allow you to search keywords, look up specific Scripture verses and even look at the verses in different versions such as King James or New International. They are easy to use and usually free of charge. Researchers can also use books for finding good information. Libraries and Christian bookstores carry various reference commentaries and studies. There are also Bibles that are especially designed for academic use because they contain additional facts to supplement the Bible. These can all be very helpful when composing Bible sermons.
A great tool for any topical sermon is a story. This may require extra Bible research in outside sources to find one. A good example would be a sermon that talks about Anne Frank and her family being hidden away from the Nazi soldiers during the Holocaust. Such a message might reference this story to use it as an example of perseverance under the pressures of fear and hopelessness. Either way, people tend to listen to a real life story. It is far more interesting to an audience to be engaged in a story with a lesson rather than simply being told a lesson. Christ's sermons often displayed this very idea. His teachings, however, were called parables. They too were real life stories that captured the audience's interest. At the end, Jesus tied the story together with a lesson. It was engaging and also simple for the audience to understand. This is why stories can be such a great tools for making a point.
No matter what the topic, it's always important to determine the mood of a message before standing up to talk. Is the sermon about a deeply sad topic or story? Is a laugh appropriate? There are times when laughing will not be appropriate to include jokes in a sermon if trying to maintain a serious mood. Bare in mind, though, that people like to laugh, and one might keep their attention more with a lighter mood. Audience age should play a factor in the topic and the style in which the topic is presented. Talk to an experienced preacher or pastor about how to select the right mood for the sermon. Experience always has helpful advice. Don't hesitate to ask any other questions about writing Bible sermons, the wisdom of other can be the added ingredient that makes any message a memorable experience. Most important of all, though, is to pray about the topic and conduct ample research. God will lead those He has called to say the right words. Even if the message only reaches one person, that person is important to the Lord and makes the entire process worth it.
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