Biblical Priority

For your church to be healthy and withstand the storms of time, you must prioritize God’s Word in your personal life, your preaching and teaching, and your church’s ministry.

Foundation

Biblical Priority is the foundation of any healthy church. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The Bible, God’s Word, has always been the church’s foundation. For your church to be healthy and withstand the storms of time, you must prioritize God’s Word in your personal life, your preaching and teaching, and your church’s ministry.

Every healthy church will prioritize the Bible for these reasons.

  • God is the author. The Bible is inspired, or breathed by God. The Bible is, thus, a living book, full of spiritual life. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16

  • The Bible is without error. The inerrancy of Scripture means it is true. It is also infallible with regard to matters of faith and conduct. Inerrancy and infallibility simply mean this: You can trust the Bible. Psalm 119:160, Colossians 1:5

  • The authority of Scripture. God’s Word is God’s sufficient and authoritative disclosure for the salvation of all people, and therefore is authoritative for belief, teaching, and practice. The Scriptures define the believer’s worldview, morality, and ethics. The Scriptures are not simply one authority among others; they are the final authority. Jude 3, 2 Peter 1:20-21

  • The Bible is God’s special revelation. It’s the way God reveals His truth. It’s the source for all Christian doctrine. Titus 1:9, Titus 2:1

  • God’s Word must define what we believe and dictate how we live. Acts 17:11-12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For more information, see “The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture” Position Paper (Adopted by the General Presbytery in session August 1 & 3, 2015).

Biblical Priority Diagnosis

Is the Bible a priority in churches today? Do pastors and church leaders prioritize the Bible in their preaching and teaching? Do Christians prioritize God’s Word in their lives? Here are some startling statistics which reveal how the Bible is under attack in our churches today:

A new study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, guided by George Barna, has found that just 37% of Christian pastors in the United States have a biblical worldview, demonstrating that spiritual awakening is "needed just as desperately in our pulpits as in the pews," according to the pollster.  Data suggests that Syncretism, defined as the “blending of ideas and applications from a variety of holistic worldviews into a unique but inconsistent combination that represents their personal preferences,” is the predominant worldview among pastors, with 62% subscribing to this hybrid philosophy.

Barna did research in 2020 and found this, “Born again” Christians are one-third of the population (33%). Although this group is often described as the “backbone” of the Christian Church, less than one out of five of them had a biblical worldview (19%).

A recent study completed by Lifeway revealed that less than one third (32%) of Christian church goers read their Bibles every day.

For more information on statistical research, go to:

www.georgebarna.com/research/american-worldview-inventory-2022-release.com

www.research.lifeway.com/2019/07/02/few-protestant-churchgoers-read-the-bible-daily.com

Biblical Priority is a Characteristic for Healthy Churches and Thriving Pastors

These statistics may or may not represent your church or our fellowship, however, they should serve as a serious reminder as to why we must keep God’s Word as the focal point of our spiritual growth, preaching and teaching, and church ministry.

It goes without further explanation that BIBLICAL PRIORITY is a characteristic of a Healthy Church. We know the WHY, let’s discuss the HOW. Below are practical and step by step resources and examples of how you can ensure the Bible is a priority in your personal devotional life, preaching and teaching, and your church’s ministry.

Personal Bible Study

A pastor of a healthy church will study God’s Word apart from sermon preparation. The Bible must be a priority in a Pastor’s life for spiritual growth. It is important to keep your devotional life separate from your professional life.

Personal Bible study is also important because the Scripture instructs us in 2 Timothy 2:15 to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” Studying God’s Word gives us knowledge needed to be theologians and preachers of the Scriptures.

How to spend time in God’s Word daily?

  • Have a PROTECTED TIME and a PROTECTED PLACE.

  • Use a BIBLE READING PLAN

  • MEDITATE & MEMORIZE: Meditate on God’s Word and Memorize Scripture

  • Use a SCRIPTURE & PRAYER JOURNAL

Methods of Personal Bible Study

  • S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). Start with writing down the Scripture you are reading. You can write it in full, or just notate the chapter and verse. Observation comes next; writing down the key observations from your reading, as well as words or phrases you may want to study further. After observing the Scripture, begin to write down how you can apply this passage to your life. Does this share how I can glorify God, follow God better, etc.? Finally, spend time in prayer over this passage asking God what He wants to reveal to you, how He can use you, and how you can apply what you read. Never underestimate writing all of your thoughts down!

  • R.A.P. (Read, Apply, Pray). This is one of the more simple methods of personal Bible Study. Write down what you are reading for that day, write how you can apply that Scripture personally to your life, and pray.

  • Priscilla Shirer’s 5 P’s (Position, Pore, Pull, Pose and Plan). Position yourself to hear from God, Pore over the passage and paraphrase the major points, Pull out the spiritual principles, Pose the question, and Plan obedience and pin down a date. This sounds like a lot to unpack, but the concept is very simple, efficient, and disciplined. To position ourselves to hear from God, we start with prayer. Second step is to pour over the passage by reading it more than just once and in more than just one version/translation, followed by paraphrasing the passage in our own words. Then, pull out the scriptural principles from what you read. Next, pose questions related to the passage that can cause you to dig deeper and find more clarity. Lastly, plan your obedience to the Scripture as well as writing down a date that you will begin applying those principles or put into action what God spoke during the time of study.

  • P.R.O.A.P.T. (Pray, Read, Observe, Apply, Pray, Tell). Much of the same methods above are included in this one, however, this method reminds us to pray before and after our personal study time, as well as putting forward the action of telling someone about how we encountered God in our devotion time. The Word of God is alive, active, and never meant to be kept to ourselves. The “tell” portion of this study method can also help with accountability. Maybe you share your devotion to a group every day, your family, your spouse, your discipleship group, or maybe you keep a blog online of your daily devotions.

Prioritizing God’s Call to Preach

Pastors wear many hats and their job description includes many different duties. Prioritizing these numerous duties and responsibilities is one of the greatest challenges for a pastor. The temptation to live in the immediacy of the moment is great.

Preaching the Word should be the top priority for a pastor. Healthy churches are pastored by ministers who have a clear understanding of the importance of God’s call to preach on their life and able to give the calling the priority it should have.

Pastors must continually juggle their many duties and at the same time keep preaching God’s Word as their top priority. Preaching involves more than just the short time spent in the pulpit. It requires many hours of time spent in prayer and studying in preparation for that “short spotlight” time in the pulpit. Any short cuts in preparation to preach will reduce the effectiveness of the preaching and consequently its impact upon those hearing the preaching. Because of the importance of preaching the Word and its impact upon the hearers, the pastor must always give priority to time spent proclaiming the Word.

The priority of preaching should be based on upon God’s Word. Pastor, it’s important for you to know you are the chief theologian in your church. Before you are an administrator, manager, director, leader or any other title you might carry as a pastor – first and foremost – you are a preacher. It’s your responsibility to speak for God, not only about Him. Anything that would take away from time devoted to the content and delivery of God’s Word should be delegated, when and if possible.

Resources

Books

  • Becoming a Pastor Theologian by Todd Wilson

  • The Pastor as Public Theologian by Kevin Vanhoozer

  • For the Life of the World by Miroslav Volf and Matthew Croasmun

  • Preaching that Changes Lives by Mike Fabaraz

  • Making Good Preaching Better by Alvin C. Reuter

  • Preaching with Purpose by Jay E. Adams

  • On Preaching: Personal & Pastoral Insights for the Preparation and Practice of Preaching by H.B. Charles, Jr.

  • Preaching in the Age of Distraction by J. Ellsworth Kalas

  • Preaching that Moves People by Yancey Arrington

  • The Heart is the Target by Murray Capill

  • Christ-Centered Preaching; Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chapell

Doctrinal Purity

A pastor should have a solid understanding of Scripture and be faithful to its interpretation and application.

How to approach the Scriptures? The Bible is the written revelation of God.

  • Who God Is?

  • What He has done?

  • What He is doing?

  • What He will do?

Healthy churches are marked by preaching and teaching these with doctrinal purity.

One of the core values of the Arkansas Assemblies of God is “SCRIPTURE-DRIVEN”. Every church should hold to and consistently teach on our fellowship’s 16 Fundamental Truths.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS.

  1. The Scriptures Inspired (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

  2. The One True God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22)

  3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35)

  4. The Fall of Man (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-19)

  5. The Salvation of Man (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11)

  6. The Ordinances of the Church (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4)

  7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)

  8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)

  9. Sanctification (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12)

  10. The Church and its Mission (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23)

  11. The Ministry (Mark 16:15-20, John 4:23-24, Ephesians 4:11-16, Psalms 112:9)

  12. Divine Healing (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-16)

  13. The Blessed Hope (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

  14. The Millennial Reign of Christ (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, Revelation 1:7)

  15. The Final Judgment (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 20:11-15)

  16. The New Heavens and the New Earth (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21, Revelation 22)

Biblical priority calls for doctrinal purity. Doctrine, simply stated, means teaching. Biblical teaching must be Christ-centered. Biblical teaching should devote time spent on doctrinal truths. Titus 2:1, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

Resources

Arkansas Assemblies of God Website (www.araog.org) provides numerous resources on doctrinal purity by clicking on Core Values: Scripture-Driven.

Bible Engagement Project Church Journey (www.bibleengagementproject.com)

The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Church Journey

Books

  • Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective by William W. Menzies & Stanley M. Horton

  • Systematic Theology by Gary McGee & Stanley M. Horton

  • The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? by F.F. Bruce

  • Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce

  • The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce

  • Seeing the Story of the Bible by Myer Pearlman

  • Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman

  • They Spoke from God by William C. Williams

Apologetics

Right Now Media

  • Quick Answers (Parts 1-3) with Sean McDowell

  • Apologetics with Matt Chandler

  • Defending Your Faith with R.C. Sproul

  • Apologetics with Chad Ragsdale

Books

  • Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

  • The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

  • Apologetics for a New Generation by Sean McDowell

  • The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

  • Intellectuals Don’t Need God & Other Modern Myths by Allister McGrath

How to Study; Sermon Preparation; Delivery

Preaching every week can be spiritually demanding. It’s mentally challenging and emotionally taxing. Despite the difficulties, preaching is one of the most rewarding privileges of your calling. To maximize sermon preparation time, there are a variety of tools and resources you can use.

Bible Study Tools

Study Bibles - A study Bible is simply a Bible with explanatory notes printed along with the text of Scripture. Many Bibles have footnotes with cross-references or very brief notes that may clarify the definition of a word, but a study Bible has much more extensive notes and may also include maps, charts, illustrations, and photos. A study Bible is like a Bible and commentary all in one.

Commentaries - A Bible commentary is a series of notes explaining the meaning of passages of Scripture. A commentary may explain the language used in a section of text or it may discuss the historical background. Almost all commentaries attempt to explain the passage in terms of some system of theology. In other words, the commentary is an explanation of how the Bible fits together and what it means. Since a Bible commentary is written by human authors, it will reflect the beliefs and perspective of those writers.

  • Thru the Bible by J. Vernon McGee

  • New International Bible Commentary by F.F. Bruce

Concordances - A concordance contains an alphabetical index of words used in the Bible and the main Bible references where the word occurs. A Bible concordance is useful in locating passages in the Bible. If you can remember just one word in a verse, you can often find what you’re looking for.

  • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Bible Lexicons - Bible lexicons provide definitions and meaning of Biblical words found in the original New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew languages of the Holy Bible. This study resource helps in understanding the origins and root meaning of the ancient language. Additional, lexicons give the context and cultural meaning intended by the authors. Using the online King James Version or New American Standard lexicon with Strong’s Concordance numbers provides a detailed understanding of the Hebrew and Greek language used in the Bible.

  • New Testament Greek Lexicon

  • Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon

One Stop Shop

Additional Tools and Resources

Sermon Idea Notebook

  • Jot down ideas, sermon titles, and things God speaks to you.

  • Notes App and Evernote are good apps for this.

  • Take advantage of apps and software that help you write and build sermons, such as: Sermonary and Logos Bible Software.

Preaching Calendar

  • A preaching calendar gives you structure for preparation. The primary benefit to a preaching calendar is it creates balance in your teaching. If using the tool of a preaching calendar, it’s important to always pray and fast when planning messages and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

  • There are different approaches to a Preaching Calendar, some of those are: Quarterly Calendars, Seasonal Calendars, Needs-Based Preaching Calendar, Expository Calendar.

  • How to do a Preaching Calendar (www.ministrypass.com/preaching-calendar)

Sermon Supply (These are not to replace your own personal study and sermon preparation. They only serve as a resource.)

Free Church Sermon Preparation Tools

Other Resources

Books

  • The Zondervan Pastor’s Annual (An Idea & Resource Book) by T.T. Crabtree

  • Homiletics & Hermeneutics: Four Views on Preaching Today by Scott M. Gibson and Matthew D. Kim

Right Now Media

  • Sermon 101 by Alistair Begg

  • Preparing Expository Sermons by Ramesh Richard

  • Becoming More Effective in Your Sermons by Rob Nieves

  • The Basics of Studying the Bible by Mark Beuving

39 Essential Mobile Apps for Every Preacher (www.preaching.com/articles/39-essential-mobile-apps-for-every-preacher)

Additional Resources

Books

  • The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

  • Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro

  • Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

  • Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

  • Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge

Daily Devotionals

  • God is With You Every Day by Max Lucado

  • The Invitation to Intimacy with God by Tracey Mitchell

  • Every Faithful by David Jeremiah

  • A Daily Talk for the Upward Walk by B.H. Clendennen

  • Smith Wigglesworth Devotional

Right Now Media

  • How to Read the Bible by Michael Defazio

  • Basics of Studying the Bible by Mark Beuving

  • The Calling by Jim Cymbala

  • A Church that Heals by Henry Cloud

  • Before Amen by Max Lucado

Bible Reading Calendars

  • Superintendent’s Bible Reading Calendar (www.araog.org/scripture-driven)

  • One Year Bible Calendar (www.oneyearbibleonline.com)

  • Life.Church (www.bible.com/reading-plans-collection.com)

Podcasts

  • Keep it 100 with Sean and Christa Smith

  • L252 Podcast - Arkansas District

  • Elevating the Word with Dean Caldwell

Websites

  • Bible Reading: What Bible Do I Use? (www.olivetree.com/blog/a-guide-to-finding-the-right-bible-translation)

  • Website with Daily Devotional for Pastors (www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/preaching-daily)

Apps

  • Bible App: You Version

  • Logos: Daily Bible Reading and Study App

  • The Bible Memory App

  • gloBIBLE App

  • E-Sword App

  • Accordance Bible Software

Curriculum

  • Helpful places to find curriculum for preaching, Bible study, discipleship, kids and youth ministries, etc.

  • Bible Engagement Project (www.bibleengagementproject.com)

  • My Healthy Church Tru Fire Curriculum (https://digital.myhealthychurch.com/Categories/Tru-Fire-Curriculum)

  • High Voltage Kids Ministry Resources (www.highvoltagekids.com/product-category/kids-curriculum)

  • Right Now Media (www.rightnowmedia.org)

  • Living Free (www.livingfree.org)

  • GROW (www.growcurriculum.org)

  • Think Orange: Aligning the Church and Family (www.thinkorange.com)

  • Youth Ministry 360 (www.youthministry360.com)

Topical Sermons and Sermon Series Ideas With Resources

The following list of topical sermons is not exhaustive but provides many ideas to help you preach on a variety of Biblical topics. Sometimes all you’re looking for is an idea or something to spark an idea. When that’s the case, check out this list of sermon topic ideas, from A-Z, along with book references from various authors.

Click here for sermon list and resources