my approach to sermon development
my approach to sermon development
MY APPROACH TO SERMON DEVELOPMENT
July 25, 2026
Mike Leiter
Imagine standing on an archery range.
You have the finest bow money can buy. Your arrows are perfectly crafted. Your stance is solid. Your technique is flawless.
But there is one problem.
There is no target.
No matter how beautiful the shot, no matter how impressive the equipment, no one can say whether the arrow accomplished its purpose because it wasn't aimed at anything.
Many sermons are preached this way.
They contain sound theology, faithful exposition, interesting illustrations, historical background, and practical observations. Yet when the service is over, the congregation cannot answer one simple question:
"What was today's sermon about?"
If everyone gives a different answer, the sermon probably lacked a clear Big Idea.
A sermon without a Big Idea is like an arrow without a target.
The Big Idea is the single central truth the biblical author intended to communicate through the passage. It is the one truth the preacher seeks to impress upon the minds, hearts, and lives of God's people.
It is not merely the subject.
It is not simply the sermon title.
It is not the passage itself.
It is the governing truth that gives direction to every part of the sermon.
Everything else exists to support it.
The explanations clarify it.
The illustrations illuminate it.
The applications flow from it.
Without that central idea, the sermon may contain many good observations but no clear destination.
One simple discipline can dramatically improve the clarity of your preaching:
Every sermon handout should include a clearly stated Big Idea without exception.
If you cannot state the Big Idea in a single sentence before you preach, there is a good chance the congregation will struggle to discover it after you preach. Your sermon is unfinished and and you’re about to present a spiritual “meal” that isn’t fully cooked.
The Big Idea answers two essential questions for every listener:
What? — What is this biblical passage saying?
So What? — Why does this matter, and how should I respond?
Including the Big Idea on the sermon handout serves as a constant reminder throughout the message. It keeps the preacher focused, helps the congregation follow the flow of the sermon, and gives people one clear truth to carry with them into the week. It also forces YOU to ensure that the sermon is fully “cooked”.
Every point, illustration, and application should continually reinforce that one central idea until it becomes memorable, understandable, and actionable.
A faithful sermon resembles an arrow. Every part serves a purpose.
The target is the transformed life God desires through His Word. The arrowhead is the Big Idea—the central truth that penetrates the heart that is 100% based on a passage of scripture. You’re telling the people what GOD said in a way that informs the mind and transforms the heart.
The shaft is the structure of the sermon, keeping every movement aligned with the text. If any part of the shaft disconnects from itself, the arrow will completely miss. Every section must be carefully crafted to connect with the rest of the arrow to ensure smooth deployment from the bow to the target.
The feathers are the illustrations, historical background, cross references, and supporting material that stabilize the message and help it fly true. They support stability, effectiveness, and aim.
The bow is the biblical text itself. It provides the power that sends the message forward. The way you hold the bow matters. You must use tried and trusted techniques to hold the boy properly. You must also listen to the voice of the “Instructor” to become a master archer. God breathed the inspired text and protected its transmission through history, so be sure to always have your ears open to the Master’s instructions.
When every part works together, the sermon flies with clarity, purpose, and force.
An arrow without a point may still fly, but it cannot penetrate.
Likewise, a sermon filled with facts but lacking a central truth may be informative without ever reaching the heart.
Without one governing idea, every interesting observation seems equally important. Historical background. Cross references. Word studies. Theological debates. Illustrations.
Rabbit trails multiply because nothing is determining what belongs and what does not. The Big Idea acts like a filter. Every element should answer one question:Does this help people better understand the central truth of the passage?
If not, it probably belongs in personal study rather than in the sermon.
When the preacher doesn't define the central message, the congregation does it for him. One person remembers the funny story. Another remembers a historical detail. Someone else remembers an emotional illustration. Few remember the burden of the text itself. Instead of preaching one sermon, we unintentionally preach dozens of different ones.
Without a clear destination, application becomes random. Pray more. Read your Bible. Witness more. Forgive others. Give generously. Trust God. Each may be true, but together they leave people wondering where to begin. A focused application grows naturally from a focused Big Idea. When people know the one truth God is pressing upon them, they know the first step He is calling them to take.
A sermon can leave people impressed without leaving them transformed. They may admire the preacher's knowledge. They may appreciate the historical insights. They may even enjoy the illustrations. But if they cannot articulate the central truth of the text—or know how to respond to it—the sermon has informed them more than it has formed them. Biblical preaching aims for more than education. It seeks transformation through the living Word of God.
A faithful Big Idea should be:
Biblical. It arises naturally from the text rather than being imposed upon it.
Memorable. Someone should be able to repeat it over lunch.
Actionable. It should invite faith, obedience, repentance, hope, worship, or perseverance.
Christ-Centered. Every passage ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ and His Kingdom.
Before stepping into the pulpit, every preacher should be able to answer five questions.
These correspond to the parts of an arrow.
What response is God seeking from His people through this text?
Every biblical passage was written with a purpose. The goal may be repentance, encouragement, perseverance, worship, faith, hope, obedience, or greater trust in Christ.
While we cannot control how people respond, we should know what response the text itself is calling for.
A sermon without a target may contain truth, but it lacks direction.
What is the one Big Idea that will penetrate the hearts of the hearers?
The Big Idea is the sermon in a single sentence. Everything else exists to support it. There may be a dozen good ideas in a particular text - you need to choose one. You can’t effectively fire an arrow with 10 heads just like you can’t effectively preach a sermon with 10 central ideas. Choose one - it take discipline, but it’s worth it.
If people remember only one thing after the service, what do you hope it will be? Then focus on how the sermon points SUPPORT the central idea. “Because of this BIG IDEA, the biblical writer says these 3 or 4 things are important to know, do, etc.”
The BIG IDEA is your arrowhead.
How does the biblical text develop and support the Big Idea?
The shaft gives the arrow its strength and direction. These are your sermon points.
The outline of the sermon should arise naturally from the structure and flow of the biblical passage.
Every point should move people toward the Big Idea rather than introducing unrelated themes.
A strong structure keeps the sermon flying true. Stick with 3 or 4 points. An arrow shaft that’s too long starts to wobble and begins to curve in directions that cause it “forget” what it was aiming for in the first place.
What supporting material helps the message fly clearly and accurately?
Illustrations. Historical background. Word studies. Cross references. Personal stories. Cultural context.
These are valuable—but only when they stabilize the message rather than distract from it. Good feathers never become the focus. They simply help the arrow reach its target.
Where does the sermon receive its power?
The power of preaching is never found in personality, humor, creativity, or eloquence. The power is found in God's Word. The preacher does not manufacture authority. He submits to the text. He draws from the text. He explains the text. Then he releases its truth into the lives of God's people. The bow supplies the force. The preacher simply draws it faithfully and takes his cue from the Master Archer.
A helpful preparation process is simple.
Read the passage repeatedly.
Ask, "What is the primary burden of this text?"
Express that burden in one clear sentence.
Build every point around that sentence.
Choose illustrations that reinforce that sentence.
Let every application flow naturally from that sentence.
Repeat the Big Idea throughout the sermon until it becomes unforgettable.
Text: John 15:1–17
A topic might simply be: "Abiding."
A Big Idea is stronger: Lasting spiritual fruit grows only as we remain connected to Jesus.
Now every part of the sermon supports that truth.
Jesus is the true vine.
Branches possess no life apart from Him.
The Father lovingly prunes fruitful branches.
Abiding produces lasting fruit. Apart from Christ we can do nothing.
The application becomes obvious:
What practices help me intentionally remain connected to Christ this week?
Instead of leaving with several disconnected observations, the congregation leaves carrying one truth that shapes how they live.
Before preaching, ask yourself one question:
If someone remembers only one sentence from this sermon, what do I pray it will be?
If that sentence is unclear, the arrow probably is not ready to be released.
The goal of biblical preaching is not to say everything a passage could possibly teach.
It is to faithfully proclaim what this passage is saying so clearly that God's people can remember it, believe it, and live it.
When a sermon answers these five questions, it becomes more than a collection of observations.
It becomes an arrow—
Drawn from the strength of God's Word.
Sharpened by one clear biblical truth.
Guided by faithful exposition.
Stabilized by wise preparation.
Released by the Holy Spirit.
And aimed at transformed lives for the glory of Jesus Christ.
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Mike