Preaching.

 

Preaching isn’t just about standing behind a pulpit and saying a bunch of big words. It’s about communicating God’s truth clearly and honestly. If you’re a teen guy who’s been asked to preach (or wants to), it can feel kind of intimidating and sometimes nerve-racking. You’re not alone — I certainly have felt that way

The goal isn’t to sound like some famous preacher or to impress people with how much you know. It’s to share what God has shown you from His Word. Today, I will be sharing some advice I have gotten from other preachers about preaching. This advice has come from other preachers, my pastor, and many books.

1. Finding the Right Message

One of the biggest challenges of teenage preachers like myself is finding a sermon from the Bible. It has sometimes been a challenge to find the sermon that is from the Bible and what the Lord wants.

A. Read the Bible.

The best way to get a sermon from the Lord is by reading his word. The Bible is the basis in every good message.  Many preachers have recommended in their books that they have found their sermons from their daily Bible reading. I as a preacher have no business sharing Gods word if I am not in it daily.

2 Timothy 2:15 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. Pray for Guidance 

Prayer is one of the biggest tools any preacher has. if you will ask God to show you the right sermon to preach, he will show you.

James 1:5 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 C. Choose a Topic That is...

1. God-Directed

I try to constantly remind myself that my sermon must be from the Lord and not from my own personal desires or interests.

2. Practical for the People

When choosing a sermon to preach think about the crowd you will be speaking too. You won't preach the same messages to a Junior church that you would to a nursing home.

2. Forming the Outline of the Sermon

Forming the sermon is also another tricky part in the preparation process for a young preacher like me. 

A. Points Outline

Probably 75 percent of the sermons you will hear will be a sermon that has points. Points are the building blocks of the message. They help the preacher stay organized and help the listeners follow along and remember what was said. Below is an example.

 Daniel’s Walk with the Lord

Passage: Daniel 6:10 — “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Points:

1. Daniel Was Consistent in Prayer 

2. Daniel Stood Firm in His Faith 

3. Daniel Trusted God to Protect and Guide Him 

B. One-Truth Outline

Other sermon can be what I call 1-truth sermons. These sermons can be very powerful as they hammer a singular topic or idea. Below is an example

Title: God Always Provides
 Passage: Philippians 4:19 — “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Truth: God will always provide for His children.

3. Putting the Outline Together

A. The Title

This, for me, has been simple enough. I try not to make the Title too flashy but rather fitting to my sermon's theme.

B. The Intro

The intro is a very vital part of the sermon. It is the audience's first look at the sermon. It is the foundation upon which the sermon is built upon. When putting the Intro together, make it one that easily flows into the sermon and one that captures the interest of the crowd. Intro could be an illustration, Poem, Fiery Quote, Funny Story, or simply just a convicting thought.

C. Points

Filling in the points is an essential to the sermon. It gives the sermon length which is important and depth.  

Points aren’t just words on a page — they need to be brought to life. You can fill them in with:

• Fiery statements that grab attention

• Illustrations from real life

• Bible verses that support your point

• Stories that make the truth relatable

• And many other creative ways

Point: Prayer Changes the Situation

• Fiery Statement: Prayer is the secret weapon God gave us to face impossible problems!

• Illustration: Just like a lifeline thrown to someone drowning, prayer connects us to God’s power.

• Bible Verse: James 5:16 — “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

• Story: Daniel continued praying even when the law said he would be thrown into the lions’ den — and God protected him.

Here is a wonderful Quote from Jack Hyles:

"A Preacher Lives in his Sermons."

In preparation of the sermon I review the sermon over and over in my head. I think about the truth I want to get across and the points which give the idea I'm preaching.

D. Tools in preparing the sermon

1. Bible 

2. Concordance

3. Blue-letter-Bible.

I often use the  Blue Letter Bible App as a cross reference in my study to expound upon the point.

4. A Dictionary

A dictionary is very helpful when coming across hard words. They also become useful when defining key words in your message.

5. My Pastor

My Pastor, who is my dad has on countless occasions in helping me with my message.

6. A Commentary

I use commentaries in my study sparingly and with a realization that it is a man's opinion.

E. Illustrations

A good illustration can make a sermon come alive. It helps people understand the point you’re making, remember it, and even feel it in their hearts. Sometimes, the Bible verse alone might be powerful, but adding a story, example, or illustration makes it stick.

Finding the right story can become tricky but here are some things I go to.

1. Life's stories.

 2. Books

3. Other Sermons

F. The Conclusion

The Conclusion might be the only thing people remember. It is what the entire message leads to. The sermon should always lead to some decision people can make. My dad is really good at making his sermons practical and convicting. The Conclusion should ultimately be Convicting. Below is an example.

Prayer is more than just words — it changes the person who prays, impacts the situations we face, and brings glory to God. Just like James 5:16 says, the prayer of a righteous person works powerfully.

So whatever challenge you’re facing this week, don’t forget to pray. Be consistent like Daniel, be bold like David, and trust that God is listening and working. Make prayer a part of your daily life, and watch how it changes your heart, your circumstances, and your walk with the Lord.

4. When in the Pulpit

1. Be Prayed Up

Always be praying for the sermon you will be preaching that it will be received well and that the lord would use it.

2. Be Practiced Up

I always strive to practice My message 5 times before preaching it.

Usually the first 3 times in my head and the last 2 out loud in a private setting.

3. Be Powered Up

Lastly pray that the Lord would anoint you with the Holy Spirit to use you however the Lord sees fit.

A. Remember to look up and slow down.

Especially when I'm nervous, I tend to stay looking down at my notes and talk really fast. Most of the time this happens without me knowing it. I sometimes have to remind myself to slow down and look up.

B. Use the fitting emotion

When telling a joke, laugh. When talking about how good God is, smile. When talking about sin, be serious. I often struggling at staying stone cold in my expressions. This is something I'm actively working to fix.

C. Avoid too much humor.

While a joke is surely good to have in a sermon and usually draws the interest of the people , be careful not to turn the preaching time into a comedy act. Also never belittle anyone when telling a joke from the pulpit.

D. Believe in the truth you are preaching.

Maybe the most important thing is to always believe in the truth you are preaching.

A good sermon isn’t just about standing and talking — it’s about communicating God’s truth in a way people can understand and apply. So today, I hoped this helps any young preacher out there and I hope I wrote this in a way that shows I still have a lot to learn in Preaching as well.