• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Anchored in Christ

KevinHalloran.net

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Popular Posts
  • Speaking
  • Resources
    • The Gospel
    • Free Prayer Tools
    • 100+ Book Recommendations for Christians
    • 100+ of the Best Christian Biographies
    • 250+ Free Online Seminary Classes, Courses, Programs, and Book Recommendations
    • Accessible Theology Book Series
  • When Prayer Is a Struggle
  • Videos
  • Español

Kevin / July 11, 2018

Why John Piper Manuscripts His Sermons

During a Q&A session at the end of his message on the life of David Brainerd, John Piper shared the reason why he manuscripts his sermons. As an occasional preacher and a writer, I resonate with his reasoning:

If I were a homiletics teacher, I would require that my students try every kind of delivery including full manuscript but in no way would I suggest it’s the norm. I have read enough of history to know that God can take a Thomas Chalmers, who read [his sermons] laboriously, to transform a people, and God can take a Spurgeon, who could prepare in 45 minutes and deliver an unforgettable message with a half-sheet of notes. You must find your own way.

I have written out every Sunday morning sermon for ten years because I think I have a gift of delivering it without people knowing that… Anybody that looks like they’re reading should get rid of their manuscript. I [use a manuscript] because I can’t get my thoughts straight any other way. I can’t get my ideas in order. You have to write if you have a weak mind. I believe this with all my heart.

I went one time and talked to the faculty at Fuller Seminary in 1978. I remember Ralph Martin, the New Testament teacher, in kind of a demeaning way said, “Oh, do you do that arcing stuff that Dr. Fuller teaches? Isn’t that just a crutch?” That’s exactly what it is, because I’m a cripple intellectual. Unless you are like Jonathan Edwards and Albert Einstein…or whoever, and can take an idea, and for an hour or two hold it and turn it…I have to do it on paper… I think of the shutters banging and the cars going by and food. My mind won’t hold an idea without a pencil in my hand! Know thyself and proceed.

My pastor told me as a preacher in training to manuscript sermons for the first several years. As I’ve preached more, I feel more and more comfortable preaching extemporaneously because I don’t have ideal prep time for certain opportunities. Most of these are smaller settings and there isn’t as much need to be polished. In such occasions, remembering that the power of preaching is in God’s Word and not my eloquence rescues me from the pit of perfectionism that I used to fall into time and time again.

I appreciate Piper’s idea of requiring students to preach in a variety of ways (full manuscript, a page of notes, etc.) and wish I had tried more kinds of delivery as a student. Even so, like Piper, I try and manuscript messages as the practice aids in precision and memorability. I’m just thankful that God uses imperfect people like me to point people to His perfect Son. If He’s the focus in my preaching and not my skill set, I’m on the right track.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly

Related Posts

  • Free Audio of 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John PiperFree Audio of 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper
  • The Most Important Paragraph John Piper Has Ever ReadThe Most Important Paragraph John Piper Has Ever Read
  • 40+ Free John Piper eBooks (Kindle, ePub, PDF)40+ Free John Piper eBooks (Kindle, ePub, PDF)
  • 10 Free Online Preaching Resources10 Free Online Preaching Resources
  • Video: Jerry Bridges on Preaching the Gospel to Yourself EverydayVideo: Jerry Bridges on Preaching the Gospel to Yourself Everyday

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Filed Under: Ministry Tagged With: Expository Preaching, John Piper, Preaching and Teaching the Bible

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Now Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook

Recent Posts

  • When You Fear God Doesn’t Hear Your Prayers
  • Top Links for January 2022
  • God’s Sovereignty Should Fuel Prayer, Not Hinder It
  • The Best of 2022
  • What does “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” mean?
  • Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2022
  • A Free Worksheet to Organize Your Prayer Life
  • Pray the Bible: A Free Video Course on Prayer
  • Recommended Links for November 2022
  • Book Briefs (Fall 2022)

Blog Sponsors

Blog Categories

Bible & Theology Books & Reviews Christian Living Culture Evangelism Humor Leadership Life Links Marriage & Relationships Ministry Missions Prayer Quotes Resources Social Media & Technology






Footer

About Me

I serve with Open the Bible. I wrote When Prayer Is a Struggle: A Practical Guide for Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer (P&R). Learn more about the book.

Learn More

Let’s Connect!

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Instagram

Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

Videos: When Prayer Is a Struggle

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: I sometimes share affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through a link, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you to cover blogging expenses.

Copyright © 2023 · Digital Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.