Preacher's Block

This preaching tip was shared by Preacher’s Block co-founder, Hunter Bethea. If you’re interested in joining the most focused preachers in the world and getting these tips sent to your inbox every week, sign up here.

Last week, I mentioned how we should “Change it Up” with our sermon styles. I thought it might be helpful for you to have some books that might help equip you with new ways to change up your preaching styles or your preparation style (which will inevitably lead to a different type of sermon). Here are three I’ve read and recommend:

The Four Pages of the Sermon by Paul Scott Wilson – This book teaches a structured, expository-redemptive sermon model built around four movements: trouble in the text, trouble in the world, grace in the text, and grace in the world. It advocates for a clear format that moves hearers from problem to divine action, helping you proclaim grace with intentional balance and flow.

Doctrine that Dances by Robert Smith Jr – This book promotes doxological, celebratory doctrinal preaching that weds theology. It pushes against boring “telling” of doctrine and instead advocates for you to engage heart, imagination, and the congregation in celebrating doctrine.

The Homiletical Plot by Eugene Lowry – This book teaches a narrative, inductive preaching model that structures sermons like a story with rising tension and resolution. You create disequilibrium, explore the discrepancy, and lead listeners toward gospel insight. The style is experiential and plot-driven, focusing on discovery rather than simple conclusions.

Effective First-Person Preaching by Richard L. Eslinger – This book advocates for first-person narrative preaching, where you imaginatively embody a biblical character and speak from that perspective. The goal is to immerse listeners in the biblical world so they experience the story emotionally and spiritually.