Finding Great Topics To Preach On
Have you ever wondered how Jesus chose his preaching topics? He didn't just go verse by verse through Leviticus or roll out a prepared series. Jesus, along with Paul and the other apostles, preached in a way that met people's specific, real-time needs. And that's a big reason their messages hit home so powerfully.
If we want our preaching to have a similar impact, we need to be intentional about what we preach. And that starts by asking a very specific question: What do my people need to hear right now?
Learning from Jesus and the Apostles
When we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus didn't treat preaching as a cookie-cutter formula. If his disciples were arguing about greatness, he'd talk about humility. If he encountered someone hungry for hope, he'd show them the Kingdom of God in a way that made it real to them. His messages were always rooted in the current moment. Jesus didn't preach a Bible commentary on Leviticus. He addressed what was happening right then and there.
Paul did this too. His letters weren't filled with random spiritual thoughts or theological musings. Each letter addressed real issues that specific churches were facing: unity, integrity, suffering, hope, grace. His words spoke to the immediate needs of those believers, which is part of why they remain so relevant to us today.
Staying Connected to Your Congregation's Needs
Preaching with this kind of relevance takes more than just good planning—it takes listening. Here are a few approaches to help you get started:
Prayer and Discernment: Start by asking God for wisdom on what your congregation needs. Sometimes, the best sermon topics come from simply praying, "Lord, what's going on in the lives of these people you've put in my care?"
Observe the Everyday: If you're paying attention, you'll notice patterns in people's lives. Maybe you're hearing about a lot of relational struggles, financial issues, or even spiritual fatigue. All of these observations can help shape relevant, life-giving messages.
Stay in the Loop with Church Leadership: Your staff and ministry leaders see things from different angles. Your youth pastor might see young people struggling with doubt, while your small group leaders notice recurring challenges in family life or marriage. Collaboration here can provide invaluable insight.
Look at the Culture: Pay attention to what's happening outside church walls, too. Whether it's financial uncertainty, cultural debates, or widespread burnout, these issues don't just affect "the world"—they impact your congregation. When you speak directly to these realities, you're showing people that the gospel matters in their lives, here and now.
Friends, you want to preach messages that matter, you have to know your people. I'm talking about knowing their struggles, their questions, their worries—what's really on their minds. Preaching for transformation starts with understanding the spiritual needs of your congregation. But this doesn't just happen by chance; it's a skill that we can develop through prayer, study, and good old-fashioned listening.
3 Practical Steps for Discernment: Prayer, Study, and Observation
Step 1: Pray for Insight
First things first, if we're going to understand what our people need, we have to ask God for wisdom. None of us are mind-readers, but God knows exactly what's going on in every heart. Take time to pray specifically for insight into your congregation's needs. Ask God to open your eyes to their struggles, give you sensitivity to their needs, and help you see where they're ready for growth.
Prayer isn't just the "starting point"; it's the power behind everything else. This step may seem obvious, but it's foundational. If we skip it, we're likely going to miss the real heart issues people are facing. Remember, if we want to be transformative preachers, we need God's direction, not just our best guesses.
Step 2: Study with Purpose
Once you've prayed, it's time to study, but this isn't about piling on more theological facts. Instead, ask yourself: What kind of spiritual growth am I actually trying to help these people achieve?
Think of it as building a "profile" of a mature disciple. What qualities do we want to see? What's the goal? Paul, Jesus, and the apostles had clear pictures of what maturity looked like for their followers, and we should, too. When we know what we're aiming for, our study time can be more focused, practical, and relevant.
It's also helpful to study the "apostolic methods"—how Jesus and the apostles worked with people's misunderstandings and struggles. They corrected errors with Truth. They exposed lies and brought clarity. When we do the same, we're not just informing; we're equipping people to live out their faith with confidence.
Step 3: Observe What's Going On in Real Time
Discernment is about more than just what's happening on Sundays. Real spiritual insight comes from observing what's happening across the board. Here are a few ways to tune in:
Counselling Conversations: If you're involved in counselling—even if it's only a few hours each month—you'll start seeing patterns in people's struggles. Pay attention to these patterns; they're often clues to the bigger spiritual needs in your church.
Connect with Your Staff and Leaders: Your ministry leaders often have insight into specific groups, like parents, youth, or volunteers. Find out their challenges and ask them to share their observations.
Look at Volunteer Dynamics: How your congregation serves is often a significant indicator of their spiritual health. If volunteers seem burned out or there's conflict in the teams, that could point to a spiritual need, like the need for community or support.
Small Group Feedback: Your small group leaders see people in a different setting, where they're more open and willing to share. Tap into their insight about what issues are coming up in discussions and what questions are on people's minds.
Prayer Requests: If your church collects prayer requests, read through them. People's deepest needs often show up here, and you'll likely see patterns over time.
Effective preaching is grounded in what's happening right now. By following Jesus' lead and paying attention to your congregation's present needs, you can deliver messages that are not only relevant but also truly transformational.
John works as an Effectiveness Coach with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. He is a strategic thinker who has pastored urban and rural churches, traditional and on the cutting edge. He is a passionate evangelist who is committed to rapid church growth by creating churches that unchurched people love to attend. With his church planting, multi-service, multi-site, and church merger experience, he regularly trains leaders, coaches church planters, and helps other pastors lead their churches into new growth.