During a visit with staff workers to a family, when we asked how that couple felt attending Sunday worship, both of them responded, "We often feel empty when listening to the sermon; it seems like we return home empty." When we inquired about their approach to listening to the sermon, they mentioned they hardly ever prepared themselves intentionally for it.
Many people don't benefit from sermons, possibly because the pastor isn't faithfully preparing and delivering the message. However, more often than not, it's the audience's lack of preparation and attitude that determines whether the message from the pulpit impacts their hearts and prompts a change in their lives. So, how does one prepare?
Absorbed in God's words quietly on Saturday evening
The more prepared, the more believers engaged in the service; the less prepared, the less engaged; no preparation leads to undevoted worship. I believe this principle of 'preparing the heart' applies not only to the pastor but also to the listener. If a believer doesn't humble themselves and quiet their hearts before God in worship, even the most brilliant sermon might not change their lives.
Many times, we overlook setting aside time on Saturday evenings to prepare our hearts, easily letting time slip away for entertainment, work, or staying up late. I've seen many young Christians posting on social media at midnight on Saturdays, then rushing to church on Sunday morning in a drowsy state and hastily grabbing breakfast. It becomes challenging to invest enough energy and vitality during worship and sermon time.
Therefore, on Saturday evenings, let's put away our phones and pray quietly for our hearts. We can meditate on a Psalm before bed, like Rev. Spurgeon, or focus on a passage of the Bible, preparing ourselves to fully engage in communion with God's life in Christ the next day.
Familiarize yourself with the sermon's scriptures beforehand
Usually, pastors announce the sermon's scriptures in the weekly bulletin on Saturdays (if your church doesn't, you can suggest this). Reflecting on these scriptures on Saturday evening or Sunday morning can make us more familiar with and confident in our grasp of the sermon's content. Also, ask yourself these four questions: 1. What is this scripture teaching me? 2. Am I obedient, disobedient, or doubtful about this teaching? 3. How can I seek salvation in Jesus Christ through this? 4. How can I live out this scripture's teaching in the smallest aspects of my life?
Rev. John Piper tells his congregation, "On Saturday night, read some delicious portion of your Bible with a view to stirring up hunger for God. This is the appetizer for Sunday morning's meal."
Cultivate the habit of taking notes
A male believer once asked me, "How can I stay focused during an hour-long sermon?" I said, "Try practicing taking notes during the sermon and make it a habit to write while listening." Note-taking helps believers stay attentive during sermons and prevents distraction or drowsiness. It allows for a clear review of the sermon's key points at home on Sunday evening. It also helps keep their brains in a state of continuous thought, elevating the quality of sermon listening.
If you want to understand the sermon, you need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than on your ability. It is necessary to prepare the heart to seek spiritual growth through every service.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
在一我和同工去探访一个家庭时，当我们问到那对夫妻参加主日敬拜时的感受时，他们俩的回应都是：“我们在听道时经常感到没有得着，似乎每次空空地去，又空空地回家”。在了解他们是怎样听道时，他们却说自己几乎没有刻意为听道做过任何的准备。
许多人在听道中没有得着，有可能是讲道人没有忠心预备和传讲。但很大可能是听众没有很好预备，听众的态度决定了讲台上的信息是否对他的心产生了果效，他的生命是否会发生改变。那该如何做准备呢？
一．在周六晚上安静默想。
多预备的敬拜就会有多投入，少预备的敬拜就少有投入，不预备的敬拜就很难投入。我相信，这项“预备心灵”的原则不仅适用于讲道人，也同样适用于听道人。一名听众若没有在敬拜前谦卑自己，安静预备内心来朝见至高的上帝，那即使是最精彩的讲道也很难改变他的生命。
很多时候，我们忽略了周六晚上特意分别出时间来预备自己的心，就容易在娱乐、工作或熬夜中让时间逝去。我看到过很多年轻的弟兄姐妹周六晚上12点还在发朋友圈的动态，然后主日早晨在困意中起床，匆忙的洗一把脸，手里拿着早餐慌慌张张踩着点的赶到教会。这样很难在敬拜和听道的时间中投入足够的精力和活力。
所以，在周六的晚上，我们放下手机，在安静中为自己的心的祷告。可以在睡前像司布真牧师一样默想一篇诗篇，或是其他的一段经文，预备明天专心的享受在基督里与上帝生命相交的安息。
二．提前熟悉听道的经文。
一般牧者会在周六把证道的经文写在周报上提前预告（若是你的教会没有提前“预告证道经文”的服事，也可以尝试向同工提出这项建议。）。而当我们在周六晚上或是在主日早晨默想这段经文时，我们可以对主日的证道内容更熟悉和有把握。也可以问自己这四个问题：1.这段经文在教导我什么？ 2.省察我对此教导是顺服、悖逆还是怀疑？ 3.我可以怎样寻求耶稣基督的救恩呢？4.我该如何在生活中最小的一件事上行出这段经文的教导？
约翰·派博牧师对他的会众说：“我把你们私下的读经和默想比作是吃一道开胃菜，坚持个人对经文的默想会培养出一种属灵的开胃口出来。这种胃口会使我们带着一种饥渴之心前来享受主日的属灵大餐。”
三．养成记笔记的习惯。
也曾有弟兄问我说：“我该怎样在一个小时的听道当中保持注意力集中呢？”我说，“你可以操练开始在听道时记笔记，养成边听边记的习惯”。因为记笔记可以让信徒在听道时不容易走神或是瞌睡；在主日的晚上回到家后还可以清楚的回顾今天的证道要点；可以帮助我的大脑保持不断思考的状态，使听道的质量有所提高。
听道不是出于我们自身的能力，而是需要依靠圣灵的大能。求主帮助我们，愿意花时间来预备自己的心，下定决心善用每一次听道的机会使生命得以成长。
“我每次去教会听道都没有收获该怎么办？”
During a visit with staff workers to a family, when we asked how that couple felt attending Sunday worship, both of them responded, "We often feel empty when listening to the sermon; it seems like we return home empty." When we inquired about their approach to listening to the sermon, they mentioned they hardly ever prepared themselves intentionally for it.
Many people don't benefit from sermons, possibly because the pastor isn't faithfully preparing and delivering the message. However, more often than not, it's the audience's lack of preparation and attitude that determines whether the message from the pulpit impacts their hearts and prompts a change in their lives. So, how does one prepare?
Absorbed in God's words quietly on Saturday evening
The more prepared, the more believers engaged in the service; the less prepared, the less engaged; no preparation leads to undevoted worship. I believe this principle of 'preparing the heart' applies not only to the pastor but also to the listener. If a believer doesn't humble themselves and quiet their hearts before God in worship, even the most brilliant sermon might not change their lives.
Many times, we overlook setting aside time on Saturday evenings to prepare our hearts, easily letting time slip away for entertainment, work, or staying up late. I've seen many young Christians posting on social media at midnight on Saturdays, then rushing to church on Sunday morning in a drowsy state and hastily grabbing breakfast. It becomes challenging to invest enough energy and vitality during worship and sermon time.
Therefore, on Saturday evenings, let's put away our phones and pray quietly for our hearts. We can meditate on a Psalm before bed, like Rev. Spurgeon, or focus on a passage of the Bible, preparing ourselves to fully engage in communion with God's life in Christ the next day.
Familiarize yourself with the sermon's scriptures beforehand
Usually, pastors announce the sermon's scriptures in the weekly bulletin on Saturdays (if your church doesn't, you can suggest this). Reflecting on these scriptures on Saturday evening or Sunday morning can make us more familiar with and confident in our grasp of the sermon's content. Also, ask yourself these four questions: 1. What is this scripture teaching me? 2. Am I obedient, disobedient, or doubtful about this teaching? 3. How can I seek salvation in Jesus Christ through this? 4. How can I live out this scripture's teaching in the smallest aspects of my life?
Rev. John Piper tells his congregation, "On Saturday night, read some delicious portion of your Bible with a view to stirring up hunger for God. This is the appetizer for Sunday morning's meal."
Cultivate the habit of taking notes
A male believer once asked me, "How can I stay focused during an hour-long sermon?" I said, "Try practicing taking notes during the sermon and make it a habit to write while listening." Note-taking helps believers stay attentive during sermons and prevents distraction or drowsiness. It allows for a clear review of the sermon's key points at home on Sunday evening. It also helps keep their brains in a state of continuous thought, elevating the quality of sermon listening.
If you want to understand the sermon, you need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than on your ability. It is necessary to prepare the heart to seek spiritual growth through every service.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
3 Tips for Preparing for Sunday Service
