The scribbles to the left are the preaching notes from my
sermon this past Sunday.
Typically, I write out a complete sermon manuscript for
preaching. I usually do not have to bring any notes to the pulpit. But I am not
neurotic about it. If I need the entire manuscript, I take it (having an iPad
has made this much easier for me). Or if I need an outline or specific notes,
that is what I created.
I do not really set the entire sermon to memory. I
basically internalize it over the course of writing and editing the manuscript.
But I do intentionally memorize the structure of the sermon. Not just the
outline, the whole sermon. I memorize the message pretty much thought for
thought, relying on key words.
If I can remember this string of key words, I free pretty
comfortable for preaching. If I am struggling to remember my series of word
associations, I jot them down on an index card or sticky sheet to stick into my
Bible.
Sunday, after the first service, I wrote out an extended
outline to the pulpit. I had already preached the sermon once. But there were
several things I did not want to forget. So I wrote out the entire outline.
I was almost finished with the sermon, when it dawned on
me that I had never pulled the note page out of the front leaf of my Bible.
I bring this up to remind you to do what you have to do
to preach the word faithfully and clearly. “By any means necessary,” should be
your strategy for pulpit preparation. If you need a full script, use it. If you
need a little cheat sheet, take it. If you are at your best without any notes,
do it. Do whatever it takes to preach the word faithfully and clearly.
