Preaching is God’s chosen means of sharing and deepening the faith of the church. Martin Lloyd-Jones defined preaching as “the communication of divine truth through human personality.” The books recommended here are some of the best books on preaching written in modern times.
Preaching: Communicating Faith in a Skeptical Age
By Tim Keller
Most Christians – including pastors – struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people’s lives. Tim Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus, and apply the Bible to their lives. In Preaching, a guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate, and compassionate way.
Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages
By Haddon Robinson
This bestselling text by Haddon Robinson, considered by many to be the “teacher of preachers,” has sold over 300,000 copies and is a contemporary classic in the field. It offers students, pastors, and Bible teachers expert guidance in the development and delivery of expository sermons. This new edition has been updated throughout and includes helpful exercises.
Preaching & Preachers
By Martin Lloyd-Jones
Lloyd-Jones defends the primacy of preaching, showing that there is no substitute, and he challenges preachers to take their calling seriously: ‘The most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching.’ He also provides practical direction on the task of preparing a sermon, sharing insights on the shape and form of a message as well as covering such topics as the use of humor, giving invitations in a message and the preacher’s relationship to the congregation.
Entrusted with the Gospel: Pastoral Expositions of 2 Timothy
Edited by D. A. Carson
Stemming from the coalition’s 2009 National Conference and edited by D. A. Carson, Entrusted with the Gospel: Pastoral Expositions of 2 Timothy explores the great responsibility of being entrusted with the gospel. Through six sermons expositing 2 Timothy, John Piper, Phil Ryken, Edward Copeland, Bryan Chapell, and Ligon Duncan model faithful preaching rooted in Scripture.
Lectures to My Students
By Charles Spurgeon
This book is required reading for anyone entering pastoral ministry. It’s your chance to get a front-row seat in Charles Spurgeon’s homiletics class. Twenty-eight of his insightful lectures are presented in their entirety to provide you with practical wisdom and sage advice. Among his topics are “The Preacher’s Private Prayer,” “On the Choice of a Text,” “The Uses of Anecdotes and Illustrations,” and “Posture, Action, Gesture.” 443 pages, softcover from Zondervan.
12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching
By Wayne McDill
Good preaching isn’t a “talent” you’re born with—it’s a skill that can be learned! In this expanded and updated guide, Dr. McDill draws from 40 years of teaching experience to present 12 ways to help you preach more effectively. His principles, insights, and exercises will help you pack more content into every sermon.
Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication
By Andy Stanley
Speakers and preachers—follow this instructive parable to keep your message alive and your audience alert! By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the major premise you want to communicate), using your turn signals (transition ahead!), and employing five other practical points, you’ll be on the road to success—and drive your message home!
How to Prepare Sermons
By William Evans
Evans’ work is considered another classic in the preaching genre, having sold over 200,000 copies. Especially valuable if you’re a layperson who is sometimes called upon to preach. Dr. Evans provides you with a clearly written guide for study, selection of sermon texts and themes, and sermon building. He covers the basics in a conversational manner you’ll appreciate. Includes outlines of sermons and Bible readings. Practical for ministers and students, too.
Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
By Bryan Chapell
This complete guide to expository preaching teaches the basics of preparation, organization, and delivery—the trademarks of great preaching. With the help of charts and creative learning exercises, Chapell shows how expository preaching can reveal the redemptive aims of Scripture and offers a comprehensive approach to the theory and practice of preaching. He also provides help for special preaching situations.
How to Prepare Bible Messages
By James Braga
This book is still a preaching class textbook in many Bible colleges and seminaries. Improve your sermon preparation skills for better communication and outreach! In this classic resource, Braga takes you step-by-step through the process of writing and delivering an effective message—from crafting the introduction and inserting attention-grabbing illustrations to tying it all together with a powerful conclusion. Includes a useful bibliography and a comprehensive subject index.
