A Primer on Biblical Preaching

by Jerry Sutton

"It is Monday morning. Though you delivered a sermon yesterday, another Sunday is on the way. The week passes, and you have a growing anxiety about what you will tell your parishioners. You have to say something. It is Saturday night, and you are clueless. Yet, the people at church are counting on you. Sound familiar?

Jerry Sutton’s A Primer on Biblical Preaching is an introduction to the discipline of sermon preparation and delivery. This guide is designed to help those learning to preach cultivate the discipline necessary to become effective communicators of God’s Word. It also provides a sound refresher course for those who have been engaged in the preaching ministry. Sutton explores important subjects that include the context of preaching, character development, methodology, and sources for pertinent subjects. In addition, Sutton provides a history of preaching, including a study of some of the great preachers and their sermons.

A Primer on Biblical Preaching can help you escape the trap of the Saturday night special. Join Sutton on a journey that will give you the practical skills to preach high-quality biblical sermons on a consistent basis."

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2011

Reviews

[Scott Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like it was written by Oskar N. Reteep from the Wingfeather Saga because the majority of this book was the author, Jerry Sutton, quoting other authors / preachers. Don't get me wrong, this book is good at what it is - a primer - so the title is appropriate. But I would have liked to have heard more of Sutton's own thoughts and experiences/anecdotes than to read a quotebook.

There was good advice liberally spread throughout the work, however, so notes were definitely taken on my end (even though I didn't agree with all of Sutton's guidance). But I wish Sutton was confident enough with providing more of his own words. Also, for all of the stress about ending a sermon well (devoting half a chapter to that subject alone), this book certainly didn't end with any sort of impact because it just, well, ends. There wasn't a conclusion at all.

I'll end up keeping this one on my shelf because yes, there was some advice I will feel the need to go back and reread, but with a little openness and confidence from Sutton, this could have been easily elevated.

[Joe Valenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little primer on preaching. One of the things that I appreciate most is that Sutton explains his process but does not present it as the only way. So many preaching books present their method as "the best" or the "best way to prepare truly biblical sermons." While Sutton does not veer from inerrancy and the vital role of deep biblical study, he also allow for a lot of room in the specific in which that study happens and translates into the sermon. It is not as dogmatic as other texts I have read. Refreshing!

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good primer on expository preaching.