Have you ever considered learning public speaking from your pastor?
Think about it. Your pastor is charged with preparing messages week
after week. His or her command of the information and presentation style
impact a number of factors, particularly the flock's spiritual growth.
This article presents several questions to help you evaluate sermons for
public speaking. Use them to increase your awareness and sharpen your
skills.
Questions
- Did the speaker give an introduction?
Every presentation, regardless of the setting, must have a purpose, and
it is stated in the introduction. It's like writing a letter. You don't
bury the reason you're writing down in the third paragraph. Similarly, a
skilled pastor tells you his topic along, rationale, and foundational
scripture at the beginning of the sermon. Otherwise, you sit there lost,
wondering what's the point?
- How did the speaker grab attention?
Several techniques are used by speakers to grab the attention of an
audience. Some include making a profound statement, citing a statistic,
asking a question, displaying an unusual or stimulating visual,
fluctuating the voice, etc. On the contrary, a sermon is no different.
Pastors do or say things to grab your attention. As a result, you focus
sharpens.
- Did the speaker state the significance of the sermon?
For example, why is a sermon on loving your neighbor important? How does
it affect you? How will it help you? What will happen if you don't hear
it? Knowing the why makes all the difference.
- What illustrations, handouts, or visual aids were used?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Hence, a good speaker makes use of
visual aids to emphasize key points, especially with the explosion of
technology. Storytelling is also effective. A skilled speaker will
incorporate stories about his or her life into the message.
- Did the body of the sermon support the introduction?
Similar to an essay, a presentation has three parts - an introduction,
body, and closing. Within the body of the sermon, information is
presented to support the opening statement. If this part is weak, the
presentation suffers.
- What points were mentioned in the closing?
Every presentation has an ending. Ask yourself, did the pastor summarize
the key points during the closing? If so, you should be able to list
them.
- Did the speaker maintain eye contact?
Regardless the speaker's title, making eye contact with the audience is
essential. A speaker who looks away creates an uneasy feeling. Is the
person hiding something? Is the person trustworthy? Credible?
- Was the sermon informative?
The pastor is expected to be knowledgeable about the Bible. Hence, a
part of his or her role is to teach the Word. Each time he or she stands
in the pulpit to deliver a sermon, you should learn something.
- Did the message persuade you to act?
Finally, the pastor's message should persuade you to act. After an
invitation to join the church is given, does anyone join? Are people
inspired to read the Bible? Do more people give or actively serve? Is
the church experiencing rapid or any growth? Most important, are you
making life changes as a result of hearing the sermons?
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