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How to Write Your Next Youth Talk

When I (Kurt) was in college, my homiletics professor forced us to master the art of writing the classic three-point sermon. He said that when we were through with the class, we could write sermons however we wanted, but his job was to make sure we knew at least ONE way. The key isn’t to do it our way but to find a process that helps you best prepare to communicate God’s Word to students.

Know where the lesson or series is heading

What are we trying to say in this lesson or series of lessons? Where are we trying to move students with this talk? Before you start driving, know which road you are traveling down.

Whiteboard everything you can capture in a brainstorm meeting

Almost all of our talks begin on the whiteboard using lots and lots of collaboration. Students are there; volunteers are there. There is no such thing as a bad idea (although we’ve been doing this long enough to know that isn’t entirely true). Take a picture to make sure it is captured and not accidentally erased by the church janitor before morning.

Pray over and crank out the first draft

What started on the whiteboard now makes it into a Word document and becomes digital. Points, passages, and illustrations start to take shape. Maybe you’ll write the talk out word for word, more of a speaking transcript like I (Josh) like to do. Maybe bullet points like I (Kurt) prefer. Just make sure you’re making progress on the message God wants you to share with your students.

Another day, another draft

This collection of thoughts and ideas needs to be honed into a discernible message – so you refine it into the second draft. This is really the beginning of the shaping process. Ideally, you’re fairly happy with the talk by this point – some weeks, you’ll be ahead of the game; other weeks, you maybe won’t have even started it yet. Either way, press on.

Stop, collaborate, and listen

At this point, send your message out to a few close friends to review – don’t create your messages in a vacuum. Let a few creative/discerning friends talk through it with you for clarity, perspective, and editing.

Use the feedback and you’re ready to go

Done. Deliver the talk and ask a few friends for specific feedback on the delivery and clarity of the message. Over time, you’ll become great at both the preparation and delivery of messages in your youth ministry!

Share how you prepare a talk in the comments!