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Simplicity in Preaching
This is a new and updated edition by H&E Publishing with a helpful addition by Bennett W. Rogers. The early preaching ministry of J. C. Ryle, one of the most powerful preachers of the Victorian era, was an unmitigated disaster. He struggled to keep the attention of his rural congregation, and so he embarked on a series of failed "pulpit experiments." Through this process of trial and error, Ryle learned to "crucify" his style and win the attention of his parishioners. Once he found his voice, popularity soon followed. He filled his churches to suffocation and became a sought after platform speaker. He was repeatedly chosen to be the select preacher for Oxford and Cambridge, and continued to draw large crowds well into his eighties as the Bishop of Liverpool. In Simplicity in Preaching, J. C. Ryle presents the fruit of a lifelong quest to attain a simplicity in preaching for his fellow ministers.
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1888
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About the author
J.C. Ryle
828 books473 followers(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 21, 2025
Practical help for preaching - typical Ryle. He's always good!
Read again in 2018.
Read again in 2025.
Read again in 2018.
Read again in 2025.
May 15, 2025
Love Ryle. This was an exquisite little treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. This is especially important for those who are in Reformed churches.
August 21, 2018
Excellent little lecture on the importance of simplicity (also, perspicuity) in Preaching.
Four prefatory remarks: 1) simplicity is of utmost importance, 2) simplicity is not easy, 3) simplicity is not childish, 4) simplicity is not vulgar/unrefined.
Five key points: 1) have a clear view of the subject, 2) use simple, common, everyday words, 3) maintain simple - even proverbial - composition, 4) be direct (you and I), 5) use illustrations and stories
Key application - “you will never attain simplicity in preaching without plenty of trouble.”
Four prefatory remarks: 1) simplicity is of utmost importance, 2) simplicity is not easy, 3) simplicity is not childish, 4) simplicity is not vulgar/unrefined.
Five key points: 1) have a clear view of the subject, 2) use simple, common, everyday words, 3) maintain simple - even proverbial - composition, 4) be direct (you and I), 5) use illustrations and stories
Key application - “you will never attain simplicity in preaching without plenty of trouble.”
October 4, 2023
Good little read. Many good thoughts on preaching messages that are simple, direct, & effective. The goal isn’t to preach beautiful sermons but to preach messages that speak to the hearts of men & women. Communication of the truth is vital. Being understood is key
March 27, 2018
I found the book to be convicting. Since I desire to be a pastor/teacher at some point, I could really feel the need to make topics clear and simple. I ought to start aiming to do so now for I am not as clear as I ought to be to begin with. I’d recommend this to any man who desires to preach so that he might be encouraged to minister simply to the congregation that God has given him to steward over.
March 9, 2023
A short, but excellent little book on how to preach simple sermons. There is a lot of wisdom in Ryle's suggestions. What I like most his desire for the congregation to understand and grow. He knows that ornate sermons may impress the listener, but they will not help them grow in sanctification.
A good book for preachers to read every couple of years or so.
A good book for preachers to read every couple of years or so.
September 7, 2021
This little work from J. C. Ryle caught my eye, and was a worthwhile and easy read. Will definitely seek to cling to the truths in here.
“All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it.”
“All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it.”
November 23, 2021
4.0 Stars
"Simplicity in Preaching" by J.C. Ryle is in extremely short treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. This book is about the length of an online article, which does not diminish it's excellence at all. Ryle's brief advice is sound and significant. He reminds preachers of the importance of being simple to reach the hearts of listens, and the ways that a preacher can preach simply. I think this is a good book for preachers to pick up once a year as a reminder of how important it is to preach simply.
"Simplicity in Preaching" by J.C. Ryle is in extremely short treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. This book is about the length of an online article, which does not diminish it's excellence at all. Ryle's brief advice is sound and significant. He reminds preachers of the importance of being simple to reach the hearts of listens, and the ways that a preacher can preach simply. I think this is a good book for preachers to pick up once a year as a reminder of how important it is to preach simply.
December 17, 2024
Pure Gold.
If you want simplicity, you must have (1) clarity on your text and communicate with (2) simple words, (3) simple sentences, (4) direct speech, and (5) abundant illustrations and anecdotes.
If you want simplicity, you must have (1) clarity on your text and communicate with (2) simple words, (3) simple sentences, (4) direct speech, and (5) abundant illustrations and anecdotes.
June 15, 2019
Very helpful
December 27, 2024
Excellent! Those of us in the reformed, evangelical, expository-preaching sphere will do well to heed Ryle's counsel.
March 15, 2024
Ryle is, as always, a clear and effective writer. I would suggest to anyone who endeavors to communicate clearly read this booklet. He who speaks above his hearers ought not be heard at all.
April 18, 2023
Que livreto espetacular! Que o Senhor me ajude a pregar as Escrituras de modo cada vez mais simples!
April 8, 2024
This is a helpful little booklet. Ryle outlines five reasons why simplicity is a mark of healthy preaching and why it is so edifying. Simplicity is key to preaching and Ryle demonstrates this clearly.
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This booklet is extremely helpful.
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This booklet is extremely helpful.
February 9, 2023
I didn't realize (as is often the case with Kindle versions of books) that this was more of a booklet - it's not very long and I read it in one sitting. Yet, I would advise ministers of all ages to give it a read and hear the good messages here. They will be reminders for some ... and new advice for others. But it is worth the time.
Noted Bible Scholar of another generation offers up advice for preaching, and on how to keep it simple.
"And now bear in mind that if you want to attain simplicity in preaching, my five points are these: Understand your subject. Use simple words. Aim for a simple style of composition. Use a direct voice. Use anecdotes and illustrations."
If you are a preacher, read it!
Noted Bible Scholar of another generation offers up advice for preaching, and on how to keep it simple.
"And now bear in mind that if you want to attain simplicity in preaching, my five points are these: Understand your subject. Use simple words. Aim for a simple style of composition. Use a direct voice. Use anecdotes and illustrations."
If you are a preacher, read it!
April 29, 2018
A worthy wake-up call for young preachers or aspirants like me. Read it and take heed.
September 16, 2019
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it. Tips from a master on how to speak the truth plainly.
February 26, 2021
Very helpful booklet on being clear in preaching for the sake of the audience who is hearing the sermon. Like all of Bishop Ryle’s material, he is deep, clear, and the subject is well thought through.
January 8, 2022
Short and very good in a practical way.
June 29, 2022
Good for any verbose person.
March 1, 2023
I've been criticized for using '$200 words' in my preaching, so I found this book helpful. Advice, opinion, and tips from a great preacher of the past.
March 12, 2023
Excellent.
May 20, 2023
The secret to effective preaching
The author expounds on the method of preaching that he himself used. History confirms that his preaching was effective in reaching multitudes for Christ.
The author expounds on the method of preaching that he himself used. History confirms that his preaching was effective in reaching multitudes for Christ.
July 20, 2023
Incredibly simple book on preaching that every preacher should read. It’s short too so quick read. Read this if you haven’t, assess your preaching, simplify it if needed.
July 1, 2025
Simple, helpful, and absolutely necessary for anyone in the ministry to read if you’re preaching or have the desire to preach.
January 26, 2013
Excellent little booklet on the discipline of crafting and delivering concise, powerful sermons--of an appropriate length. The author's points are themselves concise, very clear, and for the most part, readily applicable.
There are aspects diminish this book's force: a discussion that includes reference to word origin that has little force to me (an American English speaker) such as, "In saying this I admit freely that words of French and Latin origin are generally inferior to Saxon; and, as a rule, I should say, use strong pure Saxon words if you can." There is certainly a clear application to be drawn for such advice, but it must be one filtered through a very different culture in which the author lived. Also, there is a tendency for Ryle to refer to the differences of understanding/education between those educated folks of the university, and those of an agricultural background to whom he preached to in the country. Drawing such distractions today, and openly speaking of them, might alienate listeners more than win them to hear what one says. While he writes against stuffy theological condescension from the pulpit--he seems to mention the issue too often.
Ryle strongly commends developing a solid outline of the text, applied to the sermon, and he insists on an a solid work-ethic in sermon preparation. Amen!
There are, of course, absolute GOLDEN NUGGETS to found here:
"If you do not wish to be understood, you deserve to be neglected."
"...to make hard things seem easy and intelligible is a height attained by very few speakers."
"If you pause in your sermon, and say, "Now I will tell you a story", I engage that all who are not too fast asleep will prick up their ears and listen."
"People only tolerate vulgarity and coarseness, as a rule, when they can get nothing else."
Here's a great one: "We must talk to our people when we are out of church, if we would understand how to preach to them in the church."
All in all, this short little book is a great read for preachers.
There are aspects diminish this book's force: a discussion that includes reference to word origin that has little force to me (an American English speaker) such as, "In saying this I admit freely that words of French and Latin origin are generally inferior to Saxon; and, as a rule, I should say, use strong pure Saxon words if you can." There is certainly a clear application to be drawn for such advice, but it must be one filtered through a very different culture in which the author lived. Also, there is a tendency for Ryle to refer to the differences of understanding/education between those educated folks of the university, and those of an agricultural background to whom he preached to in the country. Drawing such distractions today, and openly speaking of them, might alienate listeners more than win them to hear what one says. While he writes against stuffy theological condescension from the pulpit--he seems to mention the issue too often.
Ryle strongly commends developing a solid outline of the text, applied to the sermon, and he insists on an a solid work-ethic in sermon preparation. Amen!
There are, of course, absolute GOLDEN NUGGETS to found here:
"If you do not wish to be understood, you deserve to be neglected."
"...to make hard things seem easy and intelligible is a height attained by very few speakers."
"If you pause in your sermon, and say, "Now I will tell you a story", I engage that all who are not too fast asleep will prick up their ears and listen."
"People only tolerate vulgarity and coarseness, as a rule, when they can get nothing else."
Here's a great one: "We must talk to our people when we are out of church, if we would understand how to preach to them in the church."
All in all, this short little book is a great read for preachers.
April 8, 2024
J.C. Ryle is an under appreciated British pastor that deserves more attention today. His short work on preaching is a great model for any aspiring preacher on the intentional steps to be engaging, direct, and spirit-led all at the same time. This work has molded my preaching in numerous ways for the better and I am always eager to learn from such a wise, humble man of God.
March 7, 2024
Worth reading often. Ryle packs a punch. The book is both an instruction and example of simple, convicting communication. Worth your time if you desire to be a preacher, or simply a better communicator.
Pleasure to reread this two years later.
Pleasure to reread this two years later.
December 28, 2024
5 ⭐️ (fantastic; highly recommend; hardly anything negative to say)
This 22 page booklet was composed from a lecture that Ryle gave. One of the things that Ryle has always appreciated in other preachers that he himself embodies so extremely well is being precise in every single word he uses and exactly how he says it or places it in each sentence. This is what allows him to give us so much to think and chew on In such small and practical booklets compared to others who must give us large treatises just to receive 4 points to consider.
One thought I had while reading this book is that Ryle personally embodies every piece of advice he gives the reader and it’s very encouraging to know that the guidance he shares to becoming a better preacher (especially to a more common, lay, and perhaps blue collar crowd as he mentions in this) is not only achievable, but that even someone who prefers to be more academic (as he himself mentions) can humble himself and be the best preacher he can be for his specific congregation out of love.
I guess one thing that I didn’t completely agree on was his process of selecting scripture to preach on. I would hold to the practice of preaching verse by verse book by book as the NORMAL with exception to occasions that in good conscience require addressing specific passages or topics that would be most beneficial for the congregations sanctification. He seems to imply on jumping around as spurgeon made practice of. I completely agree with his point though, that if you don’t know your passage, even if it’s the next passage to be preached next Sunday, don’t commit yourself to a certain practice at the expense of yourself and your congregation receiving a bad and poorly composed sermon. It does no one any good.
I also had mixed feelings about his recommendation on hardly touching the more debated and controversial passages. We both would agree that it’s important to preach them but that the pastor should focus on growing the congregation in the basics and fundamentals first. But the disagreement would come where I would say preach them as they arrive in their place when preaching through the books, and he would say just preach verses that are simple and every now and then preach a controversial passage.
Overall, Very encouraging and humbling! Love Ryle!
This 22 page booklet was composed from a lecture that Ryle gave. One of the things that Ryle has always appreciated in other preachers that he himself embodies so extremely well is being precise in every single word he uses and exactly how he says it or places it in each sentence. This is what allows him to give us so much to think and chew on In such small and practical booklets compared to others who must give us large treatises just to receive 4 points to consider.
One thought I had while reading this book is that Ryle personally embodies every piece of advice he gives the reader and it’s very encouraging to know that the guidance he shares to becoming a better preacher (especially to a more common, lay, and perhaps blue collar crowd as he mentions in this) is not only achievable, but that even someone who prefers to be more academic (as he himself mentions) can humble himself and be the best preacher he can be for his specific congregation out of love.
I guess one thing that I didn’t completely agree on was his process of selecting scripture to preach on. I would hold to the practice of preaching verse by verse book by book as the NORMAL with exception to occasions that in good conscience require addressing specific passages or topics that would be most beneficial for the congregations sanctification. He seems to imply on jumping around as spurgeon made practice of. I completely agree with his point though, that if you don’t know your passage, even if it’s the next passage to be preached next Sunday, don’t commit yourself to a certain practice at the expense of yourself and your congregation receiving a bad and poorly composed sermon. It does no one any good.
I also had mixed feelings about his recommendation on hardly touching the more debated and controversial passages. We both would agree that it’s important to preach them but that the pastor should focus on growing the congregation in the basics and fundamentals first. But the disagreement would come where I would say preach them as they arrive in their place when preaching through the books, and he would say just preach verses that are simple and every now and then preach a controversial passage.
Overall, Very encouraging and humbling! Love Ryle!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews