Justin Taylor linked to a great article by John Piper on how to listen to preaching. The whole article is, like everything by Piper, well worth a careful read, but I will here list his ten suggestions on how to prepare yourself for listening to the Sunday sermon:
-
Pray that God would give you the good and honest heart . . . set aside some time before you go to bed Saturday night, and then again when you get up Sunday morning to pray like this.
-
Meditate on the Word of God. Read portions of your Bible with a view to stirring up a hunger for God.
-
Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment.
-
Trust in the truth that you already have.
-
Get a good night’s rest on Saturday night.
-
Forebear one another without grumbling and criticism. When there is something you are angry about or some conflict that you genuinely think needs to be talked about, forebear, and put if off till later on Sunday after worship. Don’t dive in Saturday night or Sunday morning.
-
Come in a spirit of meek teachability.
-
Be still as you enter the room, and focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on God.
-
When the worship service begins, think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached.
-
Desire the truth of God’s Word more than you desire riches or food.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In