First, don’t read the Bible like a newspaper when you are studying it and using it to prepare a sermon. Instead, break down each passage you are studying and considering to use in your sermon.

In order to break them down properly, first take note of who is talking and to whom they are talking. Research the occasion, the reason for which the discussion is taking place. In other words, examine the immediate context of each passage you use in your sermon. This will always require that you examine the verses preceding and following the passage under consideration. In many cases it will also require you to read the whole chapter, the chapters before and after the chapter containing the passage, and maybe even the entire book. Doing so will help you have a better understanding of the point intended to be made in that particular passage, and you will be better equipped to explain it in the right way to your listeners.

After you do that, get a few concordances (either online or hard copies you might have in your office) and use them to look up other verses in the Bible which also discuss the topic on which you are focusing in the verses you wish to use in your sermon. The reason to do this is because “the entirety of Your Word is truth” (Ps. 119:160a). In other words, if you wish to know the totality of biblical truth about any and all subjects found within God’s Word and then teach it to your listeners in your sermon, you will need to study absolutely everything God’s Word has to say about that subject. To illustrate, let’s say you are preaching a sermon about repentance. Use your concordance to find every passage in Scripture that mentions repentance and any of its synonyms. Study each of them, as well as their immediate contexts in the ways outlined in the previous paragraph. Choose which of these verses you wish to use in your sermon.

Once you’ve done that, go to each of the actual verse or verses that you are wanting to use in your sermon. Break down each facet of the verse itself. What are the lessons and implications that are found in the terminology, sentences, or phrases in the verse?

For example, consider 1 Samuel 15:22-23. In most sermons I’ve heard on this passage, the focus is usually on “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22). It’s good to focus on that, because obedience is very important to one’s salvation and relationship with God (Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21-27; John 14:15). However, also look at the rest of the passage and try to find relevant lessons from there too. For example, think of all the implications and pertinent lessons found in the phrase, “presumption is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:23). You can make an entire sermon out of that.

To give another example, compare Job 22:5-9 with Job 1:1, 8 and Job 2:3. The thought to compare the two verses might never cross your mind without examining the immediate context of the Job 22 passage in a way that would have you examining the entire book. However, if you did study the immediate context by considering the entire book, then by remembering Job 1:1, 8 and 2:3 and comparing them to Job 22:5-9, you will immediately see that one of these passages is mistaken in what it is saying. Obviously, the passage mistaken in what it says is the passage which records the accusations of Eliphaz (Job 22:5-9). The context shows that Eliphaz and his friends had assumed Job was being punished by God for some grievous sin…and yet Job 1:1, 8 and Job 2:3 (and their immediate contexts) make it very clear that nothing of the sort was happening and that Job was a blameless and upright person. Thus, at best Eliphaz was going so far as to assume things about Job that were completely not true, and at worst he was purposefully lying about Job. Think about how assumptions and outright lies are made in the mind and the damage they do to relationships and reputations (cf. John 7:24). You can make an entire sermon out of that.

These are just a few of the “tricks of the trade” I’ve picked up over the years in my own studies. Maybe they can help you, preachers, in your own studies.

Christian, try using these suggestions in your own studies, even if you aren’t a preacher or a Bible class teacher. You might find them helpful in causing growth in your own understanding of Scripture and how it can apply to you in your own walk with God.