There is no greater need for your students than the gospel. Most of us know…
There are many things that make a sermon or lesson great. Obviously there must be sufficient thought and study put into each. Aside from the nuts of bolts of preparation there are several qualities great preaching or teaching should have. What you present can and is easily missed if it is not delivered well. What qualities are needed to make sure your preaching and teaching can take root? Here are four:
1. Passion
Regardless of the topic, if you’re preaching and teaching lacks passion, it will lack effectiveness. Now to be fair, this can be a thin line and looks differently for different personalities. Passion for some can be seen and taken as anger sometimes. Be aware of this and guard against it. A balance of all of the characteristics in your preaching and teaching will increase the effectiveness of each individually. Passion is contagious. Passion can break through hardness and indifference. When you are preaching or teaching, do so with passion.
2. Compassion
Truth must be proclaimed with compassion for those hearing it. When we look throughout the Gospels we find over and over Jesus acting out of compassion for those He ministered to. Passion says this is worth it…compassion says you are worth it. When you are preaching and teaching, do so with compassion.
3. Urgency
The Bible is filled with a sense of urgency. We must preach and teach the message of the gospel with a sense of urgency. The stakes are high. The need is imminent. Repentance is always urgent. Make sure you are preaching and teaching with urgency.
4. Clear Action
If those listening do not know or understand what they are being asked to do, they cannot do it. As you are preaching and teaching, be clear in what the text demands of us. Give clear action.
Are there other characteristics you would add that are needed for effective sermon or lesson delivery? Which do you stubble most to include in your preaching and teaching? Leave a comment and share!
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