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This is a
no-brainer, but I see so few preachers actually do this.
It will make the sermon so much easier to follow. Try
one of the following.
Print the
verses to which you are going to refer in the sermon in
the bulletin so that people in the congregation have
time to find them!
Remember, most
people are not nearly as familiar with the Bible as you
are and will miss your first major point while trying to
look up a verse.
If this can’t
be done, which I realize sometimes it just can’t, try
this instead. I actually like this one better because
it’s a little more fun to follow and you can have a
little fun with the Bible.
Make a big
production about where the verse is in the Bible. Do not
say, “Turn to Hosea 4:1,” and start reading. They will
miss the first half of what you read if they don’t give
up looking altogether. Rather, try something like,
“Let’s turn to Hosea 4:1. That’s one of those little
books right near the end of the Old Testament. They call
him a minor prophet but he’s got a major message. Find
Daniel and it’s the next one over.” All the while be
turning to it yourself. Give them time to catch up,
follow along and enjoy the reading.
One more
thought. Make sure that the pew Bible is the same
version you are reading out of! Our church keeps the King James Version
in the pew but our preacher reads out of the New King James Version.
That small difference can be so confusing to so many people.
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