One might agree theoretically that study is necessary for good sermons, but until one actually carves out the time and finds an atmosphere conducive to study, his faith is yet in vain.

What is necessary for great sermon preparation?

A genuine love of the truth is necessary (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

An appreciation of prayer is necessary.

Like the Psalmist, the preacher will pray, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

An understanding of his primary mission is necessary.

He is primarily an evangelist, a herald, a preacher, a proclaimer of the good news. Thus, Paul exhorts, “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Study also 1 Corinthians 1:21; 9:16; Titus 1:3; Romans 10:13-17. And, since he is not inspired, study for the preacher is most evident.

A time is necessary.

And, this will usually be in the mornings when his mind is fresh and unencumbered. And, concerning the necessary time for study, such will largely be governed by the eldership under whom he works.

A place is necessary.

Great expositors were present in generations past, in contrast to the present, because they had studies and we have offices. Alexander Campbell, George Bailey and others had special places to study.

Tools are necessary.

The preacher will need a good study Bible, a non-fading ink pen, such as used by draftsmen, a good, varied library with representative books, especially reference tools, in each area of discipline, audios, a pocket notebook for constant note taking, a voice recorder, a copy machine, and files (illustration file, card catalog file, topical or general file, church building idea file, writing file, working file, sermon idea file, record file, scrap book file, track file, visitation file, sermons file, funeral file, sermons from periodicals file, Old Testament file, New Testament file, etc.).

A schedule is necessary.

Though a basic schedule is absolutely necessary, there must be flexibility; for, the preacher will have interruptions and modifications resulting from family and congregational matters. Concerning scheduling, he must also remember that each day has three parts: morning, afternoon, and evening; and, no man can work in all three, day after day. Preachers will have goals; and, schedules are simply vehicles to help them reach their goals. The preacher may choose to study for his sermons and classes from 8:00 a.m. until noon each morning. Then, in addition to afternoons being used for visitation and local church planning and promotion, he can also extract from the afternoon an additional one or two hours, if he is a good time manager, for special studies/research/writing.

A plan is necessary.

He must plan his work and then work his plan. The preacher’s plan must include personal-profit Bible study, sermonic/class preparation, memorization of passages and biblical information, and a study of a variety of subjects and material (problem passages, brotherhood concerns, great biblical themes, restoration material, religious error, apologetics, church prophets, etc.).