Comments on: My 6 Steps to Preparing a Youth Ministry Talk http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html A blog about youth ministry and youth pastor life from Josh Griffin, the High School Youth Pastor at Saddleback Church. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:14:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: The Final Version of My Message Outline This Past Weekend | More Than DodgeBall - Youth Ministry Blog by Josh Griffin - Saddleback Church's High School Youth Ministry (HSM) http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-30007 The Final Version of My Message Outline This Past Weekend | More Than DodgeBall - Youth Ministry Blog by Josh Griffin - Saddleback Church's High School Youth Ministry (HSM) Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:35:53 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-30007 [...] ministry – how I start with literally a blank word document on Tuesday morning and follow My 6 Steps to Writing a Youth Talk. Then, after the 2,000+ word manuscript is complete and I take the stage, occasionally making notes [...] [...] ministry – how I start with literally a blank word document on Tuesday morning and follow My 6 Steps to Writing a Youth Talk. Then, after the 2,000+ word manuscript is complete and I take the stage, occasionally making notes [...]

]]> By: Linkworthy - 5/17/09 | MattCleaver.com http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25983 Linkworthy - 5/17/09 | MattCleaver.com Sun, 17 May 2009 16:04:58 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25983 [...] Josh Griffin on preparing a youth sermon. [...] [...] Josh Griffin on preparing a youth sermon. [...]

]]> By: Klint http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25982 Klint Thu, 14 May 2009 20:53:53 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25982 Thanks for sharing man, I love thinking on and evaluating the process - and don't do it enough! I'm doing my prep now...so, apparently going ADD on the web falls somewhere in the process? Here's what I've done today and is pretty normal: 1. First off, our series direction stuff is set about a semester at a time. Specifics come week to week, overview comes sooner. 2. Consider focus Scripture or topic...Read/pray up! Commentaries, Scripture context, books, web, etc. Open with intentional, focused prayer. 3. Set out the big idea - one thing I hope we all walk away with after the teaching. 4. Knock out a rough version: Intro/closer and the "meat". 5. Start again because I didn't like what I did in step 4. 6. Refine and support. Finalize ideas, content and flow. Add in interactive discussion, visuals etc. Somewhere between 2 and 3 there's some creative planning with a couple other folks to nail down any stuff that needs time to develop. Admittedly, I haven't thought through the process or re-worked it nearly enough. This is just a general pattern that has emerged for me. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty challenged right now to be more dilligent and think carefully about how I execute a hugely important piece of my responsibility as a pastor. Good stuff. Thanks discussing! Thanks for sharing man, I love thinking on and evaluating the process – and don’t do it enough! I’m doing my prep now…so, apparently going ADD on the web falls somewhere in the process?

Here’s what I’ve done today and is pretty normal:
1. First off, our series direction stuff is set about a semester at a time. Specifics come week to week, overview comes sooner.
2. Consider focus Scripture or topic…Read/pray up! Commentaries, Scripture context, books, web, etc. Open with intentional, focused prayer.
3. Set out the big idea – one thing I hope we all walk away with after the teaching.
4. Knock out a rough version: Intro/closer and the “meat”.
5. Start again because I didn’t like what I did in step 4.
6. Refine and support. Finalize ideas, content and flow. Add in interactive discussion, visuals etc.

Somewhere between 2 and 3 there’s some creative planning with a couple other folks to nail down any stuff that needs time to develop.

Admittedly, I haven’t thought through the process or re-worked it nearly enough. This is just a general pattern that has emerged for me. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty challenged right now to be more dilligent and think carefully about how I execute a hugely important piece of my responsibility as a pastor. Good stuff. Thanks discussing!

]]> By: Paul http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25964 Paul Thu, 14 May 2009 04:23:38 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25964 Hey Josh, Great stuff! Is this teaching on audio or video anywhere. I'd like to hear more on the subject. My sermon prep is very awkward in the sense of collecting info. I pick up on cultural bits which compliment the scripture/point I am trying to make it. They wind up on scraps of paper, collected and vetted to see if they are relevant or critical to the message. In other words, "Do they make the best point?". The most important thing I do is decide what not to preach. If the bits and pieces are taking me off track that means they are becoming a separate message and are not to be included. The last thing I do is ask myself, 'How much of this message can be best illustrated by a young person?" Tonight at I had a young lady do the responsive reading and it tied the whole night together, let a student lead and communicated the larger message, that we can all do ministry. Hey Josh,
Great stuff! Is this teaching on audio or video anywhere. I’d like to hear more on the subject. My sermon prep is very awkward in the sense of collecting info. I pick up on cultural bits which compliment the scripture/point I am trying to make it. They wind up on scraps of paper, collected and vetted to see if they are relevant or critical to the message. In other words, “Do they make the best point?”.

The most important thing I do is decide what not to preach. If the bits and pieces are taking me off track that means they are becoming a separate message and are not to be included.

The last thing I do is ask myself, ‘How much of this message can be best illustrated by a young person?” Tonight at I had a young lady do the responsive reading and it tied the whole night together, let a student lead and communicated the larger message, that we can all do ministry.

]]> By: Josh http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25965 Josh Thu, 14 May 2009 04:11:27 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25965 Let me ask Jeff to jump in here and fill everyone in in more detail and/or write up a guest post. JG Let me ask Jeff to jump in here and fill everyone in in more detail and/or write up a guest post.

JG

]]> By: Corey Bearden http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25975 Corey Bearden Wed, 13 May 2009 22:47:48 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25975 Just came across this post. Great stuff here Josh. I really like the team approach to crafting a message. It's so good to get input from a variety of perspectives. I think the finished product will be more easily understood and effective in communicating what you want the students to learn. Just came across this post. Great stuff here Josh. I really like the team approach to crafting a message. It’s so good to get input from a variety of perspectives. I think the finished product will be more easily understood and effective in communicating what you want the students to learn.

]]> By: zac http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25970 zac Wed, 13 May 2009 18:35:42 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25970 Thanks for the great information but I am a little confused on the terms and what they refer to on the hero archetype. Thanks, Thanks for the great information but I am a little confused on the terms and what they refer to on the hero archetype. Thanks,

]]> By: Josh http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25972 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 16:26:44 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25972 Cool, man. Scripture, stories and passages usually comes in during the early whiteboad phase, but occasionally we even see it during the formation of the arc of the series. Right now we're working on a ROAD TRIP series for July (yeah, we're actually working ahead!), and have the basic feel/direction/arc and have most of the basic passages/stories laid in. Because I'm not doing prep on the talk on Thursdays, it is a good time to reflect/meditate/discern what should end up in the final draft. JG Cool, man. Scripture, stories and passages usually comes in during the early whiteboad phase, but occasionally we even see it during the formation of the arc of the series. Right now we’re working on a ROAD TRIP series for July (yeah, we’re actually working ahead!), and have the basic feel/direction/arc and have most of the basic passages/stories laid in.

Because I’m not doing prep on the talk on Thursdays, it is a good time to reflect/meditate/discern what should end up in the final draft.

JG

]]> By: brian pickerel http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25971 brian pickerel Wed, 13 May 2009 16:25:33 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25971 Thanks Josh! Thanks Josh!

]]> By: Corey http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25980 Corey Wed, 13 May 2009 16:09:50 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25980 My bad- I didn't mean to come across as confrontational or dismissive. (This is why the internet is difficult- it's hard to convey the emotion/intent behind a statement) How I should have phrased it would be "How do you decide what Scripture to talk about?" or "How do you dig into a biblical passage?" That's more what I was trying to get at. Which is certainly not clear from my previous post. I ask, because find one of my most difficult challenges is figuring out what to talk about....haha! Also, of course I don't doubt that any youth minister worth his or her salt wraps the whole process in prayer. I didn't mean to imply that at all. Again, my bad. My bad- I didn’t mean to come across as confrontational or dismissive. (This is why the internet is difficult- it’s hard to convey the emotion/intent behind a statement) How I should have phrased it would be “How do you decide what Scripture to talk about?” or “How do you dig into a biblical passage?” That’s more what I was trying to get at. Which is certainly not clear from my previous post. I ask, because find one of my most difficult challenges is figuring out what to talk about….haha!

Also, of course I don’t doubt that any youth minister worth his or her salt wraps the whole process in prayer. I didn’t mean to imply that at all. Again, my bad.

]]> By: Josh http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25974 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 15:51:09 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25974 Brian - great question! Series arc - 2-3 weeks in advance Whiteboard - Tuesday First draft - Tuesday Second Draft - Wednesday Give to Friends - Thursday Final Draft - Friday JG Brian – great question!

Series arc – 2-3 weeks in advance
Whiteboard – Tuesday
First draft – Tuesday
Second Draft – Wednesday
Give to Friends – Thursday
Final Draft – Friday

JG

]]> By: Josh http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25978 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 15:49:40 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25978 Corey, this isn't an exhaustive look at the process. Obviously, Scripture and prayer are the beginning, middle and end of the process. Dude. JG Corey, this isn’t an exhaustive look at the process. Obviously, Scripture and prayer are the beginning, middle and end of the process. Dude.

JG

]]> By: Dusty http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25979 Dusty Wed, 13 May 2009 15:27:47 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25979 I write and rewrite my manuscript several times. I even preach from my manuscript but have my outline in a large bold colored font within the manuscript. I highlight all scripture another color as well. Now when I teach from the manuscript I can see my main points and scriptures at a instant. This way I dont catch myself reading my message. The main body of the manuscrpt is only there to assist me if I get distracted or pulled out of rythem by a question or comment. It keeps me from chasing rabits. Note to Corey: I am sure that everyone that has posted starts and ends their process with prayer. I personally feel as if I am in a constant state of prayer while developing a message. Asking God to direct me in the big things like main points, and all the little things like how to phrase a joke so that it gets maximum play without distracting from the message. I think the reason most people didnt mention it is because they assumed that was a vital part of the process that everyone was doing. I write and rewrite my manuscript several times. I even preach from my manuscript but have my outline in a large bold colored font within the manuscript. I highlight all scripture another color as well. Now when I teach from the manuscript I can see my main points and scriptures at a instant. This way I dont catch myself reading my message. The main body of the manuscrpt is only there to assist me if I get distracted or pulled out of rythem by a question or comment. It keeps me from chasing rabits.

Note to Corey:
I am sure that everyone that has posted starts and ends their process with prayer.
I personally feel as if I am in a constant state of prayer while developing a message. Asking God to direct me in the big things like main points, and all the little things like how to phrase a joke so that it gets maximum play without distracting from the message.

I think the reason most people didnt mention it is because they assumed that was a vital part of the process that everyone was doing.

]]> By: Corey http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25969 Corey Wed, 13 May 2009 14:50:42 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25969 Interesting... so... where does Scripture and prayer fit into this discernment and development process? From what I see in this post, looks like nowhere. Interesting… so… where does Scripture and prayer fit into this discernment and development process? From what I see in this post, looks like nowhere.

]]> By: brian pickerel http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25981 brian pickerel Wed, 13 May 2009 14:20:38 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25981 How far in advance do you do this? How far in advance do you do this?

]]> By: jeff smith http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25973 jeff smith Wed, 13 May 2009 12:51:53 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25973 First I go to simplyyouthministrry.com and look through the sermon resources there... It really varies for me. Sometimes I start with an outline I've picked up from somewhere, sometimes something from my own study and thoughts. I don't usually do a full manuscript, but heavy notes - one page per point. Then I whittle that down to a bulletin style notes that I preach from. In youth group I very PowerPoint driven. When I preach in church, I'm more notes driven. First I go to simplyyouthministrry.com and look through the sermon resources there…

It really varies for me. Sometimes I start with an outline I’ve picked up from somewhere, sometimes something from my own study and thoughts. I don’t usually do a full manuscript, but heavy notes – one page per point. Then I whittle that down to a bulletin style notes that I preach from. In youth group I very PowerPoint driven. When I preach in church, I’m more notes driven.

]]> By: Matt Cleaver http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25966 Matt Cleaver Wed, 13 May 2009 12:25:48 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25966 This was really helpful. I'm always interested in how people craft a sermon. I've never heard of the hero model before but will have to look into it. It's interesting how many people write out the whole manuscript before delivering it. I would be willing to guess that most laypeople assume that if you don't preach from a manuscript that you don't ever write one. But I've found it really helpful to write out the whole thing word for word beforehand. Thanks for the thoughts. This was really helpful. I’m always interested in how people craft a sermon. I’ve never heard of the hero model before but will have to look into it. It’s interesting how many people write out the whole manuscript before delivering it. I would be willing to guess that most laypeople assume that if you don’t preach from a manuscript that you don’t ever write one. But I’ve found it really helpful to write out the whole thing word for word beforehand.

Thanks for the thoughts.

]]> By: kurt oberlin http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25977 kurt oberlin Wed, 13 May 2009 05:40:44 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25977 I love the 2000, for me it has always been six pages at 12 point font is around 5 pages which equals about 30 minutes. (i'll have to see if that matches your 200 words) In the past I made all my sermon first drafts in a word document but now I have been collecting my thoughts for current sermons and future sermons in a free program called evernote. It's great, if you get inspired at chipotle (as I often do) you can write something down on a napkin take a picture of it and send a text message to your evernote account, it then syncs when you get back to your computer and you can search for the text within the handwritten napkin. Fun stuff! I love the 2000, for me it has always been six pages at 12 point font is around 5 pages which equals about 30 minutes. (i’ll have to see if that matches your 200 words) In the past I made all my sermon first drafts in a word document but now I have been collecting my thoughts for current sermons and future sermons in a free program called evernote. It’s great, if you get inspired at chipotle (as I often do) you can write something down on a napkin take a picture of it and send a text message to your evernote account, it then syncs when you get back to your computer and you can search for the text within the handwritten napkin. Fun stuff!

]]> By: Josh http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25968 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 05:21:01 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25968 Some on it here: http://www.morethandodgeball.com/teaching-using-the-hero-archetype/ JG Some on it here: http://www.morethandodgeball.com/teaching-using-the-hero-archetype/

JG

]]> By: Josh(ua) http://www.morethandodgeball.com/youth-ministry/my-6-steps-to-preparing-a-youth-ministry-talk.html#comment-25967 Josh(ua) Wed, 13 May 2009 05:17:18 +0000 http://www.morethandodgeball.com/?p=6104#comment-25967 Can you elaborate on the HERO model? Can you elaborate on the HERO model?

]]>