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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Great! What scripture is this one going to begin with?

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We had several. Then the assignment changed to a different sermon.

Considering that you had several, could you not simply toss out a couple of them? What were you considering?

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Of course, every sermon begins with a scripture reading.

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Is that what you're going to go with? Is it any better...better than having the reading embedded within the sermon?

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Originally Posted by waltero

Is that what you're going to go with? Is it any better...better than having the reading embedded within the sermon?

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My idea was to start with the "situation" and then jog to a supporting Bible passage. And so on.

That can work fine as long as the core idea of the sermon is settled solidly upon Scripture. Sometimes people come up with the core message first, and then look around for Bible scriptures to support it. That is the backwards approach I referred to earlier. It's why I prefer to begin by saying something to the effect of, "Turn in your Bibles this morning to 2 Cor. 10:12. I want to speak to you on the subject of becoming an influence for Christ in your corner of the world." It's good discipline for me and keeps me from simply preaching my own ideas of life. It allows for scripture to not just support, but to "give birth" to the sermon.

WG, here's a suggestion. I Peter 2:19-3:3.