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The new year is just around the corner, and while most of the world will cling to the empty hope found in a new calendar, our hope as believers is found year-round in Christ! What better way to cling to that hope than through God’s word? God’s word is a “lamp unto our feet” (Psalm 119:105), and we just wanted to remind you that God’s word brings life and joy to your congregations and ministries. The times can be discouraging, but you are a blessing to the people you shepherd when you give them God’s word.
To spur you on in your time of study, we asked a few of you for any tips and tricks you have to encourage each other. Who better to encourage you in your time in God’s word than other pastors and ministry leaders?
Here are some tips from your fellow Ministry Partners.
“Bow your head as you open your Bible to begin. Close your eyes and ask whenever you are stumped. Talk to God as your text comes to mind through the week. When you pray, God works. Pray!”
-Ben O’Toole, Pastor, Windsor Baptist Church, PA (View Pastor Ben’s full article here.)
“Logos Bible Software is an essential tool for my sermon preparation. Specifically, the propositional outline filter that is included in the Bible window. Many pastors have heard of Bible Arcing and this filter is not exact but very similar to this method. The filter helps me see what the original author was saying by following how the propositions connect to one another.”
-Joe Saweikis, Pastor, Mountain City Church, MD
“All of the Bible reveals the good news. Your task is to find the connection from your text. Jesus explained to the disciples on the road to Emmaus that all of the Old Testament is about him: ‘And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself’ (Luke 24:27, ESV). So it is with the whole Bible. A sermon without the gospel will normally be moralistic—a burden without help or hope in Christ.”
-Ben O’Toole, Pastor, Windsor Baptist Church, PA
“The most essential habit that I have formed is having sermons done at least a week in advance. I do not have the complete sermon done—however, I will have the main points and some of the subpoints written down. I have found that as I internalize the message at least a week ahead, God fills in the rest of the message as I spend time with people and read widely. This habit has also reduced anxiety in those weeks when the schedule gets blown up because of a crisis.”
-Joe Saweikis, Pastor, Mountain City Church, MD
Our staff at The Good Book Company aren’t pastors, so we don’t have any tips or tricks for you, but many of our authors are pastors and we do have books! We’re offering our Ministry Partners any of our God’s Word For You titles in any quantity at $10 each through the month of December.
We have heard feedback from countless pastors and ministry leaders about this series and its approachable commentary/devotional style. We hope these resources (and prices) will bless you as you enter the new year. We are praying for you, that you will have renewed passion and insight as you approach God’s word in the upcoming year.
Abigail Talbott is the Publicity Manager at The Good Book Company. She and her husband Thomas and daughter Evangeline attend Grace Church in Martinsburg, WV. She enjoys coffee, classic literature, and nachos.
