one’s own home. When you preach, you should preach from your heart in the power of the Holy Spirit. Listeners want to know that you believe what you preach. As you preach, it is helpful to direct your words to individuals, not merely to the congregation at large. That is, preach as if you were having a conversation with individuals. Look at people, not at a wall or at the floor. Sermons should not single out individuals, but the preacher should communicate with individuals. The words of a sermon are not directed only to one person. Instead, the words of a sermon are directed to the congregation. The preacher speaks as if he were talking with an individual, and the whole congregation listens. Of course, the preacher may preach louder than if he were speaking only to one person. The preacher may vary the tone more than if he were speaking only to an individual. But he still preaches while looking atone person, then another individual, and then a third individual, and soon. In preparing sermons, it is helpful to discuss the proposed sermons with other people familiar with Scripture prior to preaching to a congregation. Other Christians have insights and may make you aware of errors prior to your speaking to a congregation. Pastors may get together for fellowship and sermon preparation. A preacher may learn from other pastors, but a preacher should not copy sermons from others. Page 1 of PREACHING AND TEACHING - Preaching 1/7/2012 http://test.missionstraining.org/PreachingAndTeaching/Preaching.html