As you evaluate yesterday (or this past weekend) in your teaching or preaching work, here are some questions to consider:
- Did I proclaim the Word clearly? Your goal should have been for your listeners to hear the Word taught and applied in such a way that they may live more for God.
- Did I allow anything or anyone to distract me from the task of proclamation? Sometimes we allow silly things to divert our attention.
- Did I pray fervently during my preparation? The deeper our prayer, the greater our confession that we cannot do ministry on our own.
- Would someone know how to follow Jesus based on my word yesterday? The Bible is a book of redemption, and your intent should have been to direct people to Jesus through that Word.
- Did I stand before God’s people as holy yesterday? Only you and God know the answer to that question, but that question matters. A lot.
- Was I fully prepared? It’s possible that only you and God know that answer, but you probably gave some evidence to your hearers as well.
- Did I operate in God’s strength or in my strength? We know the difference. Be honest.
- Did I seek man’s applause? Sometimes we long to hear “good sermon” from our members more than, “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the Savior.
- Did I teach or preach in such a way that even non-believers and believers, young or old, would have understood my words? Our goal is not to impress with our ability; it is to communicate the gospel to all ages.
- Would the folks I taught yesterday remember my major points and applications today? Perhaps it’s impossible to answer this question without actually asking them, but it’s still a good question to ask. Memories are often short unless we work to clearly and prayerfully reinforce our points.
- Did I avoid anybody yesterday at church? If you did, that’s probably evidence that you need to work on a relationship. Not doing so could have hindered your preaching or teaching.
- Did I thank God for little victories yesterday? Anything that goes well in the Lord’s work is His gift to us. It’s amazing how little victories can encourage us as we stand to teach or preach.
- Do I love God’s church more or less after this past weekend? If it’s less, spend time with the Lord dealing with whatever issues you’re facing. You want to preach or teach next week with greater love for your people.
- What changes do I need to make based on yesterday’s preaching or teaching? You may not sense any need for change, but every evaluation like this one is an opportunity to improve.
- What’s my plan under God’s direction and power to strengthen my teaching or preaching for next week? None of us who teach or preach–no matter how long we’ve done it–ever reaches perfection. But, diagnosis of areas of needed growth (see #14 above) without a prescription for next steps only leaves us discouraged. What will you do this week to make a difference in your teaching or preaching?
