Preaching By The Book: Developing and Delivering Text-Driven Sermons
R. Scott Pace
Description
Preachers communicate God’s word by fully considering their context and their congregation.
Preaching by the Book is a practical handbook offering fundamental guidance for preachers beginning to explore their gifts, and fresh insights for seasoned veterans desiring to refine their craft. R. Scott Pace challenges preachers to develop their style and their substance by considering their unique personality and gifts, the work of the Spirit, and the particular audience on a given occasion.
Endorsements
“Preaching by the Book is a simple, concise, and faithful resource on how to prepare text driven sermons from Holy Scripture. It is clearly laid out and touches on all the essentials for faithful and engaging exposition. Scott Pace is a superb writer. This gift is put on marvelous display in this fine work on preaching. It is a joy to commend its wide use among students of homiletics.”
—Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“When I’m asked about a good introductory preaching book to put into the hands of a preacher, Preaching by the Book is one of the first books I will reach for. Scott Pace has produced a biblically and practically sound volume that is eminently readable. Especially important is his emphasis on calling people to faith in Christ in preaching. His content, clarity, and conciseness make this volume a helpful contribution and welcome addition to any preacher’s library.”
—David L. Allen, dean, School of Preaching, George W. Truett Chair of Pastoral Ministry, distinguished professor of preaching, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“There cannot be too many good books on preaching, and I am glad to see Dr. Scott Pace’s Preaching by the Book: Developing and Delivering Text-Driven Sermons added to that list. Every preacher, and everyone who desires to know more about preaching, will benefit immensely by working through this book. Every preacher and the churches they serve will be strengthened by this book.”
—Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Scott Pace has provided a resource for preachers that is concise, accessible, and relevant. His brief theology of preaching provides the What and the Why before jumping into How to preach. He does, however, proceed to set forth a practical step-by-step model for preaching. This resource will help preachers at every level of experience and education. I thank God for the way this book will help shepherds feed the flock of God.”
—Hance Dilbeck Sr., pastor, Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK
“I wish someone would have given me a book on preaching like this one when I first started preaching! Dr. Pace has served (aspiring) preachers and teachers well by describing some of the foundations for expository preaching. His process for preparing and delivering text-driven sermons is very readable, clear, and to the point.”
—Tony Merida, pastor for preaching and vision, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC, and associate professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“R. Scott Pace understands that preaching reflects a preacher’s personality, but is fundamentally a theological endeavor. Thus, God’s scriptural revelation must form the presuppositions of every faithful preacher about the task of sermon preparation and preaching, as well as, shape his method and blood-earnest passion. Preaching by the Book focuses on the nuts-and-bolts of solid sermon preparation that lead to faithfulness in the pulpit. Too often, the basics for preaching fidelity are precisely what many homiletic texts neglect. Pace’s volume pursues clarity over cleverness and usefulness over trendiness, which means that this book will have a long shelf life.”
—David E. Prince, assistant professor of Christian preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastor of preaching and vision, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, KY
“Simple, clear and substantive. Those are the qualities I think of when I read Scott Pace’s Preaching by the Book. He hasn’t attempted to over-analyze the sermon preparation and delivery process, but to boil it down so we can focus on the essentials. His simple and clear description of each component makes his work easy to read, and his substantive treatment of biblical exposition is faithful to a right understanding of what preaching is supposed to be. This is a delightful and helpful resource for both the weekly practitioner and the student-in-training.”
—Jim Shaddix, director, Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching, W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, professor of preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Details
Hardcover
96 Pages
$19.99
Enduring Truth argues that faithfulness to Scripture is the solution to a “crisis” among African American preaching. Though misinterpreting God’s Word is not restricted to one race or culture, author Aaron Lavender identifies three factors that have precipitated the decline of black preaching specifically: racial segregation, black liberation theology, and prosperity theology.
The Christ-Centered Expositor by pastor and preaching professor Tony Merida provides a comprehensive overview of effective expository preaching that begins with the inner life of the expositor, and then moves to the essential elements of sermon preparation and delivery.
Expository preaching is an approach that is founded on certain theological beliefs, such as the role of the preacher according to Scripture, the nature of the Scripture, and the work of the Spirit. Therefore, many of the benefits for doing exposition are hard to measure. However, nine practical-theological benefits are worth noting.
There is a difference between preaching from the Bible and preaching that allows the Bible to drive the substance, structure, and spirit of the sermon.
In a conversation with British theologian Alister McGrath, former archbishop of Canterbury Donald Loggan remarked, “The journey from head to heart is one of the longest and most difficult we know.” Sometimes, the doctrinal preacher will begin with the head and move to the heart; other times the direction will be reversed. Regardless of the starting point, the end result must always be the same: the inclusivity of both.
In my analysis of the Greek text of John’s Gospel I was amazed to discover again how simple yet profound this Fourth Gospel is. Its exquisite simplicity of diction is matched by its stunning profundity of thought. As the Logos, Jesus Christ is the inward and expressed Thought of God, the unique and perfect expression of God the Father.
Like many of you, my life is busy. I’m married with three children (ages three and under), I work full time in commercial insurance, I’m the director of adult education at my local church, and, on top of that, I’m also a seminary student. Finding time to sit down and study can be a difficult task because my time is spread so thin. Thankfully there are tools available like 
