The difference between a Bible study and a sermon is huge. While a lot of sermons are good Bible lessons full of truthful content that help us understand the Bible facts, a sermon is meant to change lives, to bring people to the cross and to the right turn at a crossroads. To change behavior, even if it is little by little.
See if you agree: A Bible lesson emphasizes content and understanding, movement of the
text, even motives of the writer and his friend, the Holy Spirit. But a sermon takes that content and explains what changes or habits it should motivate in our lives, and challenges us to make the moves.
I have heard many sermons—three or four a week now, plus my own—where I want to say, at the end, “That’s true!” Or, “I get it!” But the pastor-speaker has the mandate from II Timothy 3:16 to not only teach content but to urge people to change, or believe, or act, or feel.
I should think that calls for the following, at the very least:
- Implications and applications for daily living.
- Personal and true illustrations from real life as to what that looks like
- Strong questions early on so that listeners know that this is intended to change habits and lives: “Do you do that?” “Is that you?” “Will you please…. ?” “Would your family and friends say that is true of you?”
- Careful variety that keeps attention, because spans of attention are short: change in pace of delivery, change of stance, moving a few feet to the side to share a personal emotion.
- And the biggest attention-getter: the pause (at meaningful times).
How do I accomplish that? I have to plan where I will do those things, or else I just teach content. I have to break my chains to the pulpit or lectern, color-code my notes so I remember to share feelings, and challenge the listeners to really do this.
And I also have to plan closing remarks and the prayer of commitment to have quiet
space where they can ask God for his help to make the changes and move toward
Christ or to really come to the cross (which always needs to be explained) to trust our Lord as Savior.