Small Preaching
What are small steps you can take to improve your preaching? In Small Preaching, Jonathan T. Pennington shares 25 little things you can do now to become a better preacher.
Wise and Practical
In just over 100 pages, this quick read is an excellent way to improve your preaching. The book is divided into three sections. The Person of the Preacher, the Preparation for Preaching, and The Practice of Preaching. The chapters are short but full of wisdom and practical advice.
Writing as Thinking and Sculpting
I was most encouraged to see Pennington’s method of manuscript writing as thinking. For me, this is the most laborious and tedious part of preaching, but is also the one that I enjoy the most. He encourages snack writing, or finding small moments to work, as an acceptable way to work on your sermons. Pennington says that we should see sermon writing as sculpture, shaping our sermons as best we can to shape the hearts of our hearers.
Iceberg Preaching
The concept of Iceberg Preaching challenged me the most, as I am prone to cram as much as I can into every sermon. Instead, our sermons should feel accessible but have unseen depth and stability – confidence and trust that comes from my time in the study. Hearers should clearly see what I am saying, while encouraging a heart that is searching and wondering. These are beautiful sermons in shape and form.
Work Hard to Herald God’s Word
This book can be easily read in one sitting, giving a booster shot to your sermon preparation and delivery. Or you can take it in slowly, seeing where your preaching can use some due improvement. However you read this book, it will be a blessing to you and your congregation as you work hard to herald God’s Word with his people.
I received a media copy of Small Preaching and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.