Maximizing My Potential in Ministry

There are at least five areas of focus for us as preachers to maximize our potential in ministry

I Must Develop a Daily Devotional Regimen

I Must Develop Genuine Relationships

I Must Identify a Mentor

I Must Plan My Preaching

I Must Study and Prepare My Sermons

I Must Develop A Daily Devotional Regimen

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Prayer

Prayer is essential for the preacher. Prayer is our method to communicate with God

Luke 18:1 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 5:16 ESV

16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Scripture

Scripture is necessary for spiritual growth. How can we know God without His Word?

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Meditation

Meditation allows me to quiet my mind and hear God

Psalm 1:2 ESV

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Reading

Reading to preach is not the same as reading to grow

Devotion and Study/Sermon preparation are not the same thing and should not be viewed as interchangeable.

Devotion is planned and designated specifically for communion with God. This is God’s time!

Things I must consider

What are some hinderances to my devotional regimen?

What steps must I take to alleviate hinderances to my devotional regimen?

Where must I improve in my devotional regimen?

Do I need an accountability partner?

SESSION 2

I Must Develop Genuine Relationships

within my family

with other preachers

with people I serve

within the community I serve and live in

Session 3

I Must Identify A Mentor

Ministry questions

Ministry struggles

I Must Plan My Preaching

Preaching Calendar

Preaching Series

Book series

Thematic series

Bible Study

Session 4

I Must Study and Prepare My Sermons

Designate time

Invest in research tools

Try to write sermons out (At least an outline)

Develop sermons to grow the people