The beginning

Sermon series come from a couple of different sources for me. Usually I encounter circumstances in the course of day to day ministry and a pattern emerges. I then prepare a series of sermons to address the underlying issues. The other way it happens is a book study. I will begin at the beginning of a book of the bible and go through to the end. Normally I don't do a strict verse by verse exposition, but, rather, follow a single theme throughout the book. This particular series is a little different in that I am sharing it with Ed (the other pastor at The Church at Braden River). That will explain the gaps that I do not address.

First I do a basic brainstorming through the book. I look at large chunks and brainstorm sermon topics that could come from these passages. After a lot of prayerful consideration (and in this case, consultation with my fellow presenter) the main sermon themes begin to emerge. I then begin outlining and collecting illustration, content and cross-reference material. Usually I do this in a 3 column table. I've attached a link to the one I am using for this series. As the sermon begins to develop, I move to power point where I build the text, illustrations and media all together.

1 Peter - Welcome to the Planet - Table

Even after I have begun final development, I still revise my "table". As I make decisions about content in one sermon, it can affect subsequent sermons and so I make updates to the table as I go. Also, you never know when an idea you scrapped two weeks ago might play into what you are doing now, so I never throw anything away.

As the sermons continue to develop, you may want to drop in on the table link from time to time to see the changes.