Recommended: Homiletics & Preaching
Preaching and teaching are closely related, but not identical. Both involve explaining God’s Word, yet Scripture presents them with different emphases. Teaching unfolds the truth with clarity and instruction, grounding believers in sound doctrine (Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:2). Preaching, by contrast, carries a note of heralding — a proclamation of the gospel with urgency and exhortation. Paul charges Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2), a command that echoes the apostolic pattern of announcing Christ crucified and risen (1 Corinthians 1:23). Jesus Himself both taught in the synagogues and preached the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). Good preaching, then, is never less than teaching, but it presses further: not only to explain, but to proclaim, to persuade, and to call God’s people to faith, repentance, and obedience.
Preaching is more than public speaking. It is opening the Word of God, proclaiming Christ, and feeding the church with the truth of Scripture. Good preaching requires both skill and devotion — clarity of communication and faithfulness to God’s Word. The resources below have stood the test of time in equipping preachers to handle the text well, shepherd their congregations, and preach with conviction.
Getting Started
Clear, faithful introductions for those beginning to think about preaching. These books are accessible, practical, and designed to help newer preachers or students build a strong foundation.
Between Two Worlds – John Stott
A classic introduction to the task of preaching. Stott describes the preacher as a bridge between the ancient world of the Bible and the contemporary world of the listener. Both theological and practical.
Christ-Centered Preaching – Bryan Chapell
Perhaps the most widely used preaching textbook in Reformed seminaries. Chapell shows how to structure sermons, preach grace, and keep Christ central. Accessible for beginners but rich enough for a lifetime of use.
Preaching and Preachers – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Originally a series of lectures, Lloyd-Jones’s work captures both the seriousness and the spiritual power of preaching. Passionate, stirring, and deeply theological.
Biblical Preaching – Haddon Robinson
Introduces the “Big Idea” approach to expository preaching. Clear, concise, and immensely practical for beginners.
Going Deeper
Thoughtful works for pastors and teachers eager to sharpen their preaching over a lifetime. These books assume some familiarity and invite readers into the deeper craft and theology of preaching.
The Supremacy of God in Preaching – John Piper
Short, stirring, and deeply God-centered. Piper urges preachers to make God’s glory the aim of every sermon.
Preaching Christ from the Old Testament – Sidney Greidanus
A careful guide to preaching Christ-centered sermons from the Old Testament without forcing connections. Balanced, scholarly, and pastorally sensitive.
The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text – Sidney Greidanus
A guide to exegesis for preaching, especially helpful for those moving from text study to sermon form.
The Hermeneutical Spiral – Grant Osborne
Not exclusively about preaching, but invaluable for preachers who want to move faithfully from text to sermon. Covers interpretation, theology, and application.
Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism – Timothy Keller
A reflective book that combines Keller’s pastoral heart with his keen sense of engaging late-modern culture. Insightful for those who want to connect biblical truth to skeptical audiences.
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Disclaimer: The resources listed here have been selected because they offer particular value for Christian growth and understanding. Their inclusion does not imply full agreement with every statement or position taken by the authors. As with any book outside of Scripture, readers should exercise discernment, testing all things by the Word of God (Acts 17:11).