Rural Church Renewal

On this episode we discuss:Our final episode of season 4. Consider with us how God is advancing His kingdom in rural places.

Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman discusses the challenge of making big decisions, especially for Christians living in small towns. He explains the common struggle of wanting direct guidance from God to make decisions easier. Through recounting his own experience of deciding whether to move from Florida to Pennsylvania, he emphasizes the importance of delighting in the Lord, seeking counsel from others, and trusting God's plans.Key Points:Wisdom from Psalm 37: The more one delights in the Lord, the more their desires will be aligned to His will. Listener Takeaways:Talk to a trusted Christian friend or pastor about your decision and seek their guidance and wisdom. Connect with Us:Website: backtorurality.comSocial Media: Facebook

In this episode we...discuss why we manuscript and why we think you should try it!What do you bring to the pulpit?Notes?An outline?A manuscript?Why manuscript?It keeps you faithfulIt keeps you focusedIt keeps you conciseChallenges with manuscripting that need to be overcome:Don't just read your manuscript, make eye contact!Don't read like a lecture, color your words and preach!

In this episode we...discuss why the intro to your sermon matters.What is a bad intro?What makes a good intro?Short (400 words or less)Central to the textRelatable to everyone (Problematize the text)A good hook

In this episode we...discuss shepherding our churches through highs and lows, knowns and unknowns.TJ interviews Josh concerning his recent experience with a building that fell through, and very well may be resurrected!

In this episode we...discuss not stopping until the text you’re preaching has impacted your heart.What are the consequences if you preach unaffected by the text?You give a lectureYou have no purposeYou have weak applicationYou are a hypocriteYou are unable to sympathize with the people God has called you to shepherdHow can you get the text into your heart?God must do this!PrayMeditateVisualizeAnswer how the gospel answer’s the problem in your textIf the texts doesn’t move you, it won’t move anyone

In this episode we...discuss our latest sermons and how we put them together.We use the tools we've spoken of this season, and are excited to share our latest examples of sermons we've preached and are preparing!

In this episode we...discuss the path forward in ministry when you’re serving under compulsion.Do you feel stuck in a rut for any number of reasons?Pushback in the churchLack of zealNothing seems to be changing in your congregationWhat should our response be?RepentanceRomans 12:9-11

In this episode we...discuss how to articulate your sermon study in such a way that is understandable and clear to the congregation.How you "adorn" your sermon matters.Put your title, argument, and points to work!What illustrations will you use that are pointed, but clear?Clarity over cleverness!

In this episode we...discuss how to make the argument in context for your sermon passage.Don't just teach a lessonDon't tell people about the passageMake the argument the author was making to his audience!All of season 4 has given you the tools to come to this step.

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In this episode we...discuss how to make application rise from the text and resonate with your people.Ask good questions that actually relate and are answered by the text.Apply the text to Christians and Non-Christians alike.Apply the text to the head, heart, and hands.https://kirkmillerblog.com/2022/05/19/my-sermon-series-preparation-worksheet/

In this episode we...discuss how to properly include the gospel in our sermons.Beware playing "Pint the Jesus on the Sermon"The gospel is not just "Jesus died for your sins."Instead, consider from the text itself what aspect of God's ETERNAL plan of redemption the author has in mind.The gospel could be seen through:Explicit mention (1 Corinthians 15)Allusion (Genesis 28)Types and shadows in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 17)Prophecy (Isaiah 53)Use an "anchor text" somewhere in the New Testament that amplifies how the gospel informs your sermon.

In this episode we...discuss why the Scripture is sufficient for life and godliness.What are you putting your hope in to change your people?Why is Scripture sufficient?How should the sufficiency of Scripture affect our preaching?

In this episode we...discuss how context informs the meaning of a passage:LiteraryWhat comes above and below your current passage?How does this affect the author's argument?Historic / CulturalHow does the specific culture at the specific time and place inform the meaning of your text?BiblicalDoes the passage quote or allude to any other portions of Scripture?How would that passage have been understood by the original author?Why is the author quoting it?

In this episode we...discuss HOW to use the tools for preaching different text types:NarrativeConsider the story arch, and where the conflict arises and is resolved.DiscourseWhat is the argument the author is making? How does he defend himself?PoetryWhat imagery does the author use to make his point?

In this episode we...discuss the different kinds of biblical texts that will make up our sermons.The type of text we're dealing with will determine the tools we need for the job.NarrativeEx: The Gospel according to MarkConsider the story arch, and where the conflict arises and is resolved.DiscourseEx: Paul's Epistle to the RomansWhat is the argument the author is making? How does he defend himself?PoetryEx: PsalmsWhat imagery does the author use to make his point?

In this episode we...discuss mapping out your sermons once you have a P.L.A.N.Once you know what your church needs to hear, where do you go from there?How do we practically break down our sermon texts?

In this episode we...discuss pitfalls in choosing what we are going to preach and a better way forward. How are you tempted to preach something other than the text?How can you effectively P.L.A.N. your sermons?Pulse of your congregationLook to the ScriptureAssess what the congregation needsNavigate faithfully

In this episode we...discuss the target we’re shooting for in our preaching.What are some pitfalls we can fall into in our preaching?What should our target be?