Preaching through a non-fiction book or other content can be a valuable approach when done thoughtfully and occasionally. This episode explores the advantages and potential pitfalls of basing sermon series on books or other pre-existing material.
Some key advantages include:
- Leveraging great content that has already been developed and refined
- Using interesting framing and structures to present biblical truths
- Gaining access to additional resources like study guides
However, there are also dangers to be aware of:
- Appearing to preach man’s words instead of God’s Word
- Overusing this approach and losing your own voice
- Sounding inauthentic or forced
- Guilt by association if the author later faces scandal
The key is to use outside content sparingly and wisely. Give proper credit, maintain your own voice, and ensure you are still primarily preaching the Bible. Bring others into the decision-making process to discern if and how to incorporate a book or other material.
Ultimately, this approach can be valuable when used occasionally to supplement regular biblical exposition. But it should not become the steady diet or default. As with many ministry decisions, wisdom and discernment are crucial.
