Not every sermon is built the same way. The method you choose shapes everything — your study habits, your outline structure, even how your congregation engages. Here are five preparation approaches, each with distinct strengths.
1. Expository Preaching
Expository preaching works through a passage verse-by-verse, letting the text's structure drive the sermon's structure. It's the gold standard in many evangelical traditions because it forces the preacher to deal with what Scripture actually says rather than what they want to say.
- Best for: Systematic book studies, deep Bible teaching
- Strengths: Biblical authority, prevents hobby-horse preaching
- Challenge: Can feel slow or academic without strong illustration
2. Topical Preaching
Topical preaching starts with a subject (anxiety, generosity, marriage) and draws from multiple passages. It's excellent for addressing felt needs, but requires discipline to stay anchored in Scripture rather than drifting into pop psychology.
- Best for: Addressing congregational needs, sermon series
- Strengths: Highly relevant, easy to follow
- Challenge: Risk of proof-texting if not careful
3. Narrative Preaching
Narrative preaching tells the story of the text — following its dramatic arc, letting tension build, and arriving at resolution. Think of it as preaching the passage as a story rather than a set of propositions.
- Best for: Gospel narratives, Old Testament stories, parables
- Strengths: Emotionally engaging, memorable
- Challenge: Harder to include explicit application points
4. Lectionary-Based Preaching
The Revised Common Lectionary provides a three-year cycle of readings covering the entire Bible. Preaching from the lectionary connects you to the global church calendar and prevents you from avoiding difficult texts.
- Best for: Liturgical traditions, long-term preaching plans
- Strengths: Breadth of Scripture coverage, community rhythm
- Challenge: Less flexibility to respond to current events
5. AI-Assisted Preparation
AI-assisted preparation is the newest method — and the most misunderstood. It doesn't mean "AI writes your sermon." It means AI accelerates research, suggests cross-references, generates illustration ideas, and helps organize your outline so you can spend more time on what only you can do: prayer, pastoral sensitivity, and delivery.
AI-assisted preparation works best when combined with other methods. Use SermonForge's exegesis tool alongside your expository study, or let it suggest illustrations for your topical series.
Which Method Is Right for You?
Most effective preachers blend methods. You might be primarily expository but switch to topical for a special series on marriage. You might use the lectionary 40 weeks a year but go narrative for Advent. The key is intentionality — choose your method for each series, don't just default to habit.