Books

Christian Leadership Training Course

By J.C. Choate

Lesson 20

Methods of Preaching

We know that the job of the preacher is to preach, to proclaim God’s word, to take the gospel to a lost and dying world (Mark 16:15,16). Back in the days of the apostles the main means of getting the gospel out was by word of mouth, that is, through standing before an audience and telling those gathered there of Christ and the salvation He brought to the world, as in Acts 2. Another way was through personal teaching, as in the case of Philip talking to the man from Ethiopia about his need to believe in Christ and to obey the Lord (Acts 8). There were also scribes in those days who spent their time copying the scriptures and making them available for reading. Paul and others wrote letters to their brethren and through those letters they took advantage of the opportunity to exhort Christians and to encourage them to be faithful to the Lord, to be on guard against false teachers, etc. (2 Corinthians 7:8).

But since those days things have changed significantly. There are many tools with which to work, many methods or ways that can be used to get the message out to one, or to many, or to the whole world. We think of the advances in the medical profession. There are now so many medicines, so many tools with which to practice, and so much to learn of the healing processes that a doctor cannot master all of these things, so he chooses to specialize in a particular field of medicine or practice. This is true also with the preacher. There are so many ways to preach and teach God’s word, so many tools to use, so many methods for getting the word out. One man surely cannot do all of these things well, so he must choose the ones in which he will develop his abilities. All of the methods and tools may be good and effective, as long as they do not conflict with God’s will. We will mention some of them.

Of course there are the traditional ways of teaching God’s word, and they are still powerful. I refer to pulpit preaching and personal work, in particular. There is really no substitute for facing a group eye to eye or a one-on-one encounter. These methods are effective because the gospel is being proclaimed and it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

In the category of preaching there are what is called gospel meetings. Some call them conventions. A time is set in a meeting house, hall, or some similar place, in which a gospel preacher is invited to speak, and so for a set period of time he preaches the gospel of Christ, night after night. This often attracts large crowds of people and many may obey the Lord. A meeting such as this is sometimes conducted in new areas, to begin a congregation of the Lord’s church. I would urge brethren in this part of the world not to copy American brethren and limit your meetings to two or three nights, but rather continue for a week or ten days, or two weeks. Spend enough time in the meeting to build interest and to do some good. You should know that years ago the brethren in America had lengthy meetings, and this helped the church there to grow rapidly.

Literature is another tremendous way to get the gospel to the local people, as well as to a whole nation. Tracts, Bible correspondence courses, magazines, books, advertising and newspaper teaching have not only introduced the Lord to untold numbers of people, but also have been the means of strengthening the church and providing the members with teaching materials. Christian literature is still a powerful medium.

But reaching the masses and going into homes which would otherwise be closed to the gospel, you can’t beat radio preaching. Also through this method, Bible correspondence courses and other types of literature can be offered.

In addition to radio there is the even more powerful tool of television. TV is already being used effectively in some countries and in years to come one preacher will perhaps be able to use television to speak to people all over the world.

In conjunction with the area-wide or nation-wide use of radio and television, tapes, videos, cable and satellite systems can be used in preaching.

Other tools which can add to a lesson are visual aids: filmstrips, overhead projectors, and even charts and blackboards. Through visual aids people not only have the opportunity of hearing the Lord’s word, but also of seeing the message being brought to life. Those are powerful tools even in this modern age.

There are also Bible schools, Bible camps, retreats, seminars, and lectureships where members of the church and their friends, young people, and other specific age groups are invited to come for fellowship and indepth Bible study.

It is true that some of these methods of teaching or types of meetings are more popular than others. But times change, and the effectiveness of methods change. We must find out what interests people, and how best to reach them, and then use those ways to win them for Christ. The church must be flexible in its methods of work. As long as the gospel of Christ is preached in its purity, that is the important thing, and that is what will convince hearers of the truth. Of course, attempting to attract people through the use of shows, all kinds of entertainment, food and refreshments, and things that appeal to the flesh is not right or wise. If you gain people through worldly things, what do you have even though they respond?

So the young preacher is faced with all kinds of possibilities in his work of taking the gospel to the world. He should choose methods which best suit his abilities and the interest of his audience. He must get proper training, and then use those tools as a means of spreading the cause of Christ and influencing people for the Lord.

Young man, be a public speaker, a teacher, an evangelist, a missionary, a radio speaker, a writer, a publisher, but do something for the Lord. As all of us work together, using our varied talents and abilities, and all of the methods and tools at our disposal, we can take the gospel to the world and change the world for Christ. May the Lord help us to do so.