Read, Reread, and Be Faithful: Sermon Prep Essentials

Dr Roy Collins is the kind of man many churches would love to have in their congregation: a retired pastor and professor who faithfully teaches the adult Sunday school class and serves as a steady, encouraging presence among God’s people. His influence is not loud or flashy, but marked by wisdom, warmth, and a long history of loving the local church.

In this episode of the Expositors Collective podcast, Dr Collins shares a message on Sermon Prep Essentials, recorded live at an Expositors Collective training event in 2024. Drawing on decades of experience in pastoral ministry and as a professor of Biblical Interpretation at Colorado Christian University, he offers thoughtful, grounded counsel for those tasked with preaching the Scriptures week after week.

Throughout the message, Roy reminds preachers that they are called to speak God’s words, not their own. He emphasises the importance of slow, careful reading of the text, encouraging listeners to read and reread Scripture until it has time to settle and shape their thinking. He also highlights the value of humility in sermon preparation, urging preachers to learn from others and to allow their ideas to be refined within the context of the church.

At the same time, Dr Collins offers gentle but firm warnings about common dangers in preaching, including the temptation to chase novelty or to elevate “new insights” that have not been tested by the wider church. In a culture that prizes originality and self-expression, he calls preachers back to faithfulness, reminding them that the gospel does not need reinvention, but clear and careful proclamation.

Dr Collins is a member of White Fields Community Church, where his ongoing service reflects a lifetime commitment to Scripture, teaching, and encouragement. This episode will be a timely help for pastors, Bible teachers, and anyone seeking to grow in patient study and faithful proclamation of God’s Word.

Resources Mentioned: 
Logos Bible Study Software: https://www.logos.com/ 

Roy Collins' episode on Theology for the People: https://nickcady.org/2021/08/27/guidelines-for-biblical-interpretation-with-dr-roy-collins/comment-page-1/

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