What brought about the weekly sermon study guides? When I started my new ministry over a year ago established members graciously shared that they had grown accustom to Pastor Sal’s PowerPoint presentation that went along with his sermons. Some of these members explained that it would help them acclimate to the new Senior Pastor’s style of preaching if I provided a listener handouts or utilized PowerPoint. As a new minister you attempt to do what you can to make transitions like this as easy as you can on the existing flock (by God's grace it's been a nearly seamless transition). Hence the four page weekly sermon packets.
Why invest time each week putting together such lengthy packets and why do we encourage each of you to spend at least one morning or evening reviewing your sermon notes via this packet? We do so to help with these five things: 1) Comprehension, 2) Clarification, 3) Application, 4) Shepherding care, and 5) Praise and Adoration.
1) Comprehension- I want to help the listener follow along as the sermon is being preached. One can’t grasp everything- but I prayerfully desire that my flock will process as much as they can and that they'll understand the key points of the inspired Text. The meaning of Scripture is the Scripture. It's why 2 Timothy 2:15 is such an important verse. If you get the authorial intent wrong you are more likely to offer up the wrong application. This ties right in with reason number two- clarification.
2) Clarification- Every believer is a theologian and the church is the Pillar of the Truth (per 1 Tim. 3:15). I often include a section called KEY TERMS where I define words to help expand your theological and biblical vocabulary. Polls have shown that the biblical literacy rate in America has reached all time lows. Many Christians just don't know the Bible or grow beyond the elementary things (note Hebrews 5:12-14). We are trying to fight these dangerous tends at Lake Country Bible Church.
3) Application- God commands us to be doers of the Word and not merely listeners; (I understand that in some Biblical passages the words "listen" or "hear" actually assumes "hearing" with the intent of doing). If someone prayerfully listens to the Word preached I want to do everything I can to help them grow as a result of this spiritual discipline. No pastor wants anyone to be able to fairly say, “I’m actively and humbly listening and I am still not getting very much out of the message. Each week I include a large section of thoughts for deeper study and questions related to personal and corporate application.
4) Shepherding- Providence does not allow church elders and pastors to spend time with the sheep every day of the week. Since many do not attend midweek service you may only have regular contact with certain sheep once a week. This handout allows us "to shepherd the flock" from afar on days we cannot be together. This is not something that we implemented in place of discipleship meetings it is something that flows out of this central passion (Col. 1:28-29; Phil. 2:12-13).
5) Praise and Adoration- God saves us so that we might worship Him with our lives and our lips (John 4:23-24). Theological instruction should fuel high worship! Hence the related songs section in your handouts. YouTube, Pandora, CD's, and mp3's give us easy access to praise and worship songs that reiterate biblical truth and that provides a channel to honor and glorify the Lord.
Jesus sanctifies and matures His people through the truth (Jn. 17:17; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Psalm 1:1-3; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Col. 1:28-29). Thank you for being such a ‘hungry’ congregation. You are a delight to shepherd, feed, and serve alongside of.
