Start with the End in Mind
Ok, so you have a great thought…
... God has dropped a powerful message into the depth of your heart and soul…
While you were reading Gods Word the Holy Spirit raised up in your heart and you just KNOW this is the message for Sunday morning…
Great, Awesome, God truly is incredible… there is nothing like it when we hear His voice and we are so motivated to share what we KNOW God has shared with US…
Ok... now what… how do YOU start?
Look at that, look at that “thought” … examine that idea …
prayerfully turn it over in your heart and head and ask, what am I hoping the people that hear this message on Sunday will do as a result of them hearing me preach?
What is the POINT? Call to Action Headline
What is the POINT?
... & WHAT is the PA (PRACTICAL Application)
-----> Flip this around and start with the END in MIND…
If your goal is to get a good response at the end of the service you really need to dig a little deeper.
To really become a better preacher you must WORK for more than just an emotional response to what you’ve’ shared.
What steps should your listener take as a result of what you’ve delivered?
Sure, they (your auduance) should pray about it, sure we want them to really “feel” a heart change, but we can do so much more than tug at their heart strings.
We can give direction, we can, and we shouldgive them a plan.
A lot of us (preachers/public speakers)... we miss this because WE FEEL really good when we look around and see people responded emotionally.
It will work to everyone’s benefit if you can clarify your goals each time you speak.
Pray about it… think about it… write it out, speak it out…
1st of all in prayer, then with your team.
One of my biggest mistakes
has been assuming people would just “get it.”
It’s just massively important to make sure you spell out what your primary point is and what the audience is supposed to do about it.
Stephen Covey teaches in his famous book 7 Habits of Highly Effective people this idea of starting with the end in mind…
While this is of course very necessary in business, sales, or the politician (& oh, how I wish my dear politicians would figure this out)…
I have begun to really value how applicable this is to preaching. Because nothing is more important than leading people to follow Christ,
we must not leave this to chance.
We must not leave them without a plan assuming they will figure out what to do with what you’ve just given them.
So, in prayer
...as you start working on next weeks message, write out at least two things, preferably narrowing down 3 things, into one sentence for each.
Clearly difine the NEXT STEPS
1) What is the POINT,
2) and the PA (practical application)
3) and the CA (Call to Action)
Remember, when they (your audiance) knows WHAT to do and HOW it applies to them... they WILL remember what you've told them.
I don't claim to be, nor do I aspire to be the "BEST" preacher/communicator... I just know that If I do these 3 things, I will be better than I was...
I don't have to be the best, I just want to be better...
& that my dear friend is what I want for YOU as well...
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