Lessons Learned from Delivering a Sermon to my Lecturer, Seven Students and a Video-recorder

Preaching My Second Sermon Ever

Yesterday I preached my second sermon ever. I was nervous, I sweated an unnatural amount, and my hands were off-putting (apparently). Adding to this the sermon was assessed as part of my Homiletics (preaching) course at university, by the lecturer and my peers. Can the Holy Spirit work through a graded university assignment?

Despite these less positive aspects, I learned so much from the day. I am preaching a week on Sunday at my home church so it is helpful timing to put some of the feedback into practice. Perhaps more importantly than my own feedback, was positive examples witnessed through other students. Another student preached on Psalm 130, like me, and he skilfully demonstrated how to connect with the audience, understand the depths the psalmist was feeling, and relate those human emotions to his listeners, whilst driving to a Biblical, applicable finish.

My style was expository, unpacking the Psalm verse by verse. This is not a bad style in itself however yesterday I lacked a human connection, stories, and connectivity throughout the sermon. It had some of these elements, especially application, but this was mostly restricted to the introduction and conclusion.