How to Write Your Own Sermons Using the Holy Scripture?

What is a Sermon and What is Its Role in Liturgy?

A sermon, also known as a homily, is an integral part of many Christian worship services, especially during Mass. Its main purpose is to explain and interpret the Holy Scripture and its application in the lives of the faithful. A sermon serves as a bridge between the ancient biblical text and the contemporary experience of the listeners, helping them understand God's Word and live according to it. The role of the sermon is crucial in building community, deepening faith, and shaping the spiritual lives of the faithful. A well-prepared homily inspires, instructs, admonishes, comforts, and calls for conversion.

Why is it Worth Writing Sermons Yourself?

Writing sermons yourself, although demanding, brings enormous benefits to both the preacher and the community. It allows for a deeper personal immersion in the Word of God, leading to an authentic understanding and personal experience of the truth being conveyed. This process develops interpretive, theological, and rhetorical skills. Moreover, it allows the message to be tailored to the specific needs and context of a given community, making the sermon more relevant and moving. The sense of responsibility for preparing the Word of God motivates greater prayer and diligence, which translates into the spiritual quality of the preacher.

Step 1: Prayer and Choice of Theme/Text

The foundation of every sermon is prayer. Before you reach for the Bible or any other materials, take time for personal conversation with God. Ask for the light of the Holy Spirit, for wisdom and clarity of mind, so that you can understand the message of the Word of God and convey it in an understandable and compelling way. Consider what the liturgical context is – whether it is a specific period of the church year (Advent, Lent, Christmas Season, Ordinary Time), a feast day, or some current issue in the parish or world that requires biblical reflection. Often the choice of text is already imposed by the liturgical lectionary for that day. However, if you have the freedom to choose, be guided by what seems most urgent and necessary for your community.

How to Choose the Right Passage of Holy Scripture for a Sermon?

The choice of text is crucial. If you are using a lectionary, pay attention to the proposed readings and consider how they may connect with each other or what main message they carry. If you are choosing independently, focus on passages that are clear, have a clear message, and can be easily applied in life. Consider passages from the Gospels, the Apostolic Letters, and sometimes also from the Old Testament, which are a foreshadowing of the New Testament. Look for texts that resonate with your own heart and seem particularly relevant in the context of the community's life. Consider whether a given passage is too difficult for the average listener to understand, or whether it can be explained in a simple way.

What are the Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting to Write?

Before you start writing, it is worth asking yourself a series of questions that will guide your thinking and preparation. Here are some key ones: What is the main goal of this sermon? What do I want the listeners to remember and take away from this homily? What is the key verse or guiding thought? What are the main arguments or points that I will develop? What examples or stories can help illustrate my message? What are the potential difficulties in understanding this passage and how can I dispel them? What is the application of this message in the daily lives of my listeners? Is my message in accordance with the entirety of the Church's teaching?

Step 2: Study and Analysis of the Biblical Text

Once you have chosen a passage of Holy Scripture, it is time for its in-depth study. It is not enough to read the text once. You need to delve into it, understand the historical, cultural, and literary context. Use various tools to help you in this process.

What Biblical Tools are Helpful in Preparing Sermons?

There are many tools that can significantly facilitate biblical study for the purpose of preparing sermons. First of all, you need a good quality Bible, preferably in several different translations, to compare nuances of meaning. Biblical commentaries are useful, explaining more difficult passages, historical and theological context. Biblical encyclopedias, Hebrew-Greek-Polish dictionaries, as well as biblical concordances will help you delve into the meaning of individual words and see how they are used throughout the Holy Scripture. Biblical maps can help in understanding the geographical context of events. Online resources are also available, such as databases with commentaries, scholarly articles, and theological resources.

How to Understand the Historical and Cultural Context of the Passage?

Understanding the context is crucial for correct interpretation. Consider who the author of the text is, to whom it is addressed, and in what circumstances it was created. What were the customs, beliefs, social structures of the time? For example, understanding the Middle Eastern culture and customs from biblical times will allow for a better understanding of the metaphor of the shepherd and sheep in Jesus' parables. Examine the historical background of the described events to avoid anachronisms and misinterpretations. Biblical commentaries are invaluable here.

How to Analyze the Structure and Literary Genre of the Text?

Each passage of Holy Scripture should be analyzed in light of its literary genre. Is it a gospel, a letter, a prophetic vision, a psalm, or a parable? Each genre has its own rules of interpretation. For example, parables require understanding their didactic purpose and often hidden message, while apostolic letters have a more argumentative character. Pay attention to the structure of the text: division into chapters and verses (although these are later additions), key words, repetitions, key phrases, parallelisms. Understanding how the author builds his thought will help you better convey the message in your sermon.

What to Pay Attention to When Studying the Gospels?

The Gospels are the heart of the Christian message. When studying them, pay attention to: the figure of Jesus Christ – His words, deeds, relationships with people