How to Prepare Bible Messages

This is a great reference book to prepare messages and studies. You don't have to be a preacher to enjoy this book.

I used this book in my freshman year of college in our preacher boy class. Even after seminary, I believe it is the most well written book I am familiar with for students of the Bible who want to learn how to put together a sermon, devotional, Sunday School lesson, or a simple challenge. Braga uses a method of preparation that has not been typically used in conservative Christianity. That method is defined as propositional teaching/preaching. Instead of approaching a portion of Scripture and drawing attention to every idea in the text, he teaches the reader how to pull out one single thought or "big idea" to center the lesson or sermon around. A sermon does not have to be about 100 different topics that no one will remember. In fact, Braga emphasizes the importance of letting your audience leave with one complete theme that has been reinforced multiple times in multiples ways throughout your whole message. In my opinion, this is the clearest method of teaching for the listener. Braga covers topical messages (sermons/lessons taken from many different parts of Scripture), textual messages (sermons/lessons taken for one individual piece of Scripture and reinforced with other passages), and expository messages (sermons/lessons taken solely from one individual text.) I am not sure what paper quality has to do with reading this book, maybe someone should have exchanged the book for a better copy. The book is perfectly legible and an excellent purchase. I recommend it to all church members who want to learn how to teach the Bible.

This book is a true eye opener. It has so much necessary & vital information for christians who are seeking to convey the word of God in the most effective way possible. I recommend it to the new converts, old converts & even as a refresher for ministers.

This is basisally the standard preaching text by which all others should be measured. Because it is older, it would best be complimented with something like Johnston and Robinson's text on postmodern preaching, or even something fun like Troeger's text on preaching in a multimedia culture.

I have difficulty writing prose. This book has a great chapter on how to handle "transitions" between different points in your discussion. That's just what I need. Thanks!