Brother Curington's Message Preparation

I use the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to study in preparation for my day and for my sermons. Sometimes, my studies are to “feed” others; and like any chef, I have the privilege of enjoying the food as well. But, sometimes, my studies are to “feed” myself. (Jeremiah 15:16a “Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me, the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.”)

I have found that when I prepare a meal for myself on which to meditate, it doesn’t take much time and it won’t feed many. But, when I find truth that seems deeper and consists of quantities that I alone cannot devour, I recognize it is probably intended by God to be a shared meal for others.

For this reason, whenever I study, I try to stay consistent. My Bible time consists of 35 minutes. During this time, I usually read a Proverb and two additional chapters in the Bible. I am not looking for quantity. I am looking for quality. My prayer time, promptings from the Spirit, and my encouragement cards take another 30 minutes. Thus, I spend about an hour, plus or minus fifteen minutes, in Daily Devo time with the Lord each morning.

This time is what generates the meditations I will use in my Bible blog to the nation, my advice to most counselee’s for the day, and my own personal “meds” to remain in the Spirit.

I say to people all the time, when preparing my sermons, I depend on two “people”: the Spirit of God and Noah Webster. Without those two, I would be without hope. One opens my understanding of Spiritual warfare and the other opens my understanding of the English language. Below, is how I prepare for my sermons using the 1828 Dictionary:

1. I pause and wait for God to prompt me on a topic or passage that I should be preaching.
2. Once God prompts me on a topic, I find the verses He leads me to choose. I use E-Sword on my computer. Specifically, I use its “Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” to find verses that relate to His chosen topic or topical verse.
3. Using my 1828 Dictionary, I dissect and define my key verse. When I paraphrase it, the Lord will usually, at that time, illuminate me on the truth.
4. I then dissect and define the verses that relate and put together an outline based on the facts found within the passage. I DO NOT put my outline together using thoughts that are not contained in the primary passage.
5. I then use the other verses to prove the points from my primary passage.
6. I STOP! My preparation is complete until one hour before the event. God has promised that if we will wait upon Him, He will give us His words the “same hour” that we need them. (Matthew 10:19, 20)
7. One hour or so before I am to speak, I take my printed outline, and I use a blue pen to write in the margins every “personal thought” I have, any quote that God prompts me to say, or any illustration that may appear effective. Usually, my sermon outlines have so much blue ink on them, they are barely legible. But, God sorts that all out during the preaching.
8. When I arrive for my speaking opportunity, I am ready, but I am not rehearsed. This ensures that I will still need His liberty to lead me. I am now meditating on every truth in my mind, but they have not been memorized.
9. I use this phrase to remember my focus: “My messages are for meetings that will be a medium in which I share my meditations rather than my memorizations.”
10. I enjoy the privilege of the presentation–it is all “Him.”