Rookie mistakes

Read

Read “From the guide” first, out loud if you can. Then read “Working it out.”

Working it out

You already have the fix. Each mistake connects to an earlier installment:

1. No clear big idea → installment 5 2. Too many points → installment 5 3. Too many stories, no text → installments 1 and 10 4. Too much text, no people → installments 6 and 13 5. No application → installment 6 6. Weak ending → installment 7 7. No invitation → installment 14 8. Trying to sound like someone else → installments 1 and 12 9. No practice out loud → installment 8 10. Skipping prayer → installment 11

“Too much text, no people” (editorial addition). This is not about using less Scripture. It is about explaining a passage without helping real listeners understand it or respond.

Evidence, then one fix (editorial addition). For each mistake, write what you actually see in the draft. Then choose one priority improvement. Fixing one thing well beats trying to fix ten.

Worked example (fictional, process only)

A preacher's review found a clear big idea and good prayer habits, but four stories in one movement and almost no explanation of the passage there. Her priority was mistake 3. She kept one story, added two paragraphs explaining the verses, and her mentor confirmed the revision still served the big idea.

Discuss

1. Which of the ten are you most prone to?
2. What evidence in your draft shows each strength or problem?
3. Where in this sermon do you sound like someone else?
4. Which single improvement would help listeners most?

Mentor: name the mistake you still make most often.

Practice

With your mentor, review your sermon against all ten, noting evidence for each. Where there is no issue, write the evidence that shows it rather than looking for a flaw. Agree one priority improvement, revise, and bring the affected section before and after to the next session.

Worksheet

Copy onto paper or download below; nothing is saved here.

1. No clear big idea — evidence

2. Too many points — evidence

3. Too many stories, no text — evidence

4. Too much text, no people — evidence

5. No application — evidence

6. Weak ending — evidence

7. No invitation — evidence

8. Trying to sound like someone else — evidence

9. No practice out loud — evidence

10. Skipping prayer — evidence

One priority improvement

What I changed

Review

Artifact: Completed mistake review and a revised sermon.

Complete when: All ten have written evidence, including where no issue was found, one priority improvement is agreed, and the affected section before and after shows the change.

• All ten reviewed with evidence.
• One priority improvement chosen.
• The affected section, before and after, shows the change.
• Revision still serves the big idea and the passage.
• Categories with no issue cite evidence instead of an invented flaw.

Mentor feedback

Bring the work you made, not just your answers. Show one place where the passage shaped a decision. Name one strength, choose one useful improvement, and check the revision together.

1. Name one real strength in the work.
2. Name one priority improvement, based on evidence in the work.
3. Revise, then recheck against the review list.