Michael Milton

Michael Milton and Faith for Living, Inc.

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February 28, 2022

Rightly Dividing the Word in the Service of the Flock: Sermon Planning and Preparation

The author at Baccalaureate Service for Erskine College and Seminary.

Preaching in a pastoral context—the parish, the community—requires a vocational dedication that stewards time and deploys a thoughtful strategy and tactical operation to realize the mission. On the topic of such vocational intentionality the Apostle Paul wrote:

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

2 Timothy 2:15 (AV)

The Scriptural mandate to “study” is a divinely-denoted means of fulfilling the pastoral call to equip the saints for works of ministry, grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and evangelize the world. Such a large-scale mission requires a comprehensive pastoral program that may be pursued at strategic and practical levels. In the context of pastoral preaching (the exposition of the word of God in a parish or Christian community) in contrast to, e.g., itinerant evangelistic preaching, this essential work may be divided into long-range planning, a strategic level mission, and short term preparation, a tactical action.

The Differences between Sermon Planning and Preparation

To speak of sermon planning and sermon preparation is not to create new pastoral tasks but to acknowledge the inherent and necessary duties of the pastoral office to fulfill Christ’s charge to “Shepherd my flock (John 21:16).” The following paragraph seek to differentiate between sermon planning and sermon preparation.

Sermon Planning

Sermon Planning is a critical pastoral exercise, undertaken annually, to design a one-to-three-year long-range (one to three years: e.g., Year A, B, and C)) strategic Preaching Plan, expressed in three “tracks”—(1) lectio continua, (2) liturgical-civic, and (3) crisis—so that the Christian shepherd can more effectively fulfill the Biblical mandate to “be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2), “shepherd Christ’s flock (Acts 20:28), “Study to shew thyself approved unto God . . .rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Sermon Preparation

Sermon Preparation is the tactical response to sermon planning. Sermon preparation involves executing the three-track preaching plan by focusing most immediately on the exegesis and exposition of the respective Biblical text for the given week.

The following presentation is intended to illustrate the differences, define the task involved with sermon planning and sermon preparation.

The Presentation

Video:

Sermon planning and preparation are essential tasks for every pastor. Dr. Michael A. Milton offers a brief summary of how to plan and prepare expository sermons over 1-3 years.

PDF File:

Sermon Planning and Preparation PDF File.pdfDownload

Conclusion

My dearest students in Christ, as Chairman of our Ministry Department, my goal is that you leave seminary with both education (vocational information) and training (vocation formation) in pastoral ministry. This summary of sermon planning and preparation is an expression of that goal. We pray that you may be so equipped in the gospel ministry that as you proclaim the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ there will be a multitude of souls safe in the arms of Jesus when he comes again (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

Learn more about the 8 Essential Elements of an Expository sermon:

Podcast

Faith For Living
Faith For Living

Commited to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loving Fellowship
byDr. Michael Milton

Faith For Living with Dr. Michael Milton
March 21, 2023
– A study from Acts 28:11-16.


https://accradio.com/programs/erskinefaithforliving/faithforliving031423.mp3

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Loving Fellowship
Loving Fellowship
March 21, 2023
Dr. Michael Milton
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What is Faith For Living?

Faith for Living is the 501c3 North Carolina non-profit ministry of the Rev. Michael A. Milton, Ph.D. that exists to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through every means available, so that there will be a multitude caught up to be with Jesus Christ when He comes again. Faith for Living reaches out to support individuals, the Church, and other non-profits through communication, discipleship, and education.

Featured Music of Michael Milton

“Christ is Risen” words & music by Michael Anthony Milton
© 1999, 2012, 2020, 2021 Bethesda Music (a div. of Faith for Living, Inc.) | BMI | CCLI

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“When your heart is broken, when your spirit is so crushed that you wonder if you will live again; when your life is in a total blackout; then, this book will give you the light and strength you need to carry on.”

—Russell, Amazon Reviews.

Songs in the Night is available in paperback and Kindle. Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise is NOW AVAILABLE in  Audiobook on AUDIBLE. Click here to purchase now.

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