"How to Hear a Sermon" from Pastor David Jeremiah

Sometimes things are just too good not to pass on. That's the case with today's e-mail devotional from Pastor David Jeremiah:

Friday, September 12
How to Hear a Sermon
"They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" Acts 17:11.

Recommended ReadingPsalm 119:73-80

Mortimer Adler wrote a little volume in 1940 that has since become a classic: How to Read a Book. Many who thought they knew how to read books learned all over again how to skim, analyze, comprehend, dissect, and absorb a book's message.

The same concept can be applied to sermons. Every week, thousands of pastors stand with a Bible in their hands to teach God's Word. But much of their ministry is wasted by careless listening in the pews.

Here's how to hear a sermon:

(1) Pray for your pastor's message and prepare your heart to hear it;

(2) If you know the text in advance, read it;

(3) Sit near the front;

(4) Bring your Bible, and follow along with the Scriptures;

(5) Make notes of the outline, main points, quotes, and illustrations;

(6) Take away at least one truth to apply in a practical way to your life; and

(7) Try to share something from the message with another person as soon as possible.

Of course, we mustn't rely on a once-a-week sermon for all our spiritual nourishment. Let's remember those faithful Bereans who received the Word with readiness and searched the Scriptures daily.

"A love for the Word in the pulpit is bound to produce a love for the Word in the pew"

—Merrill F. Unger