Austin’s First Sermon

Austin giving his first sermon.

Austin giving his first sermon.

Austin turned 10 yesterday on November 5th.  We are proud of the young man he is becoming.  He gave his first sermon on Tuesday of this week.  Austin has been leading prayers, reading scripture, and leading songs for years, but after last month’s nursing home devos I encouraged him to deliver the lesson.

He was eager to accept the challenge.  I gave him the choice of two texts and he chose Acts 8:26-40.  Teaching Austin about sermon preparation has also caused me to think about basic sermon preparation.  I told him to read the text three times the first day.  First to focus on the overall story, next to look at Philip in the story, and finally to read it focused on the Eunuch.  I told him to develop his outline around two main themes:  What? (what are the main facts of the story) and So what? (what is the meaning of the story for our lives).  I encouraged him to consider the story and try to put himself into the perspective of the characters.  I tried to emphasize that in preaching you want to always be faithful to share what the Bible is saying.

Austin then got out his notebook and paper and this is the outline he developed.

What?

  1. God tells Philip to go to the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza.  8:26-27
  2. The Ethiopian Eunuch is reading the prophet Isaiah.  8:28-33
  3. He wants to get baptized and does so.  Acts 8:36-39

So What?

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the Bible.  8:31
  2. Don’t hold back from being baptized.  8:36-38
  3. Go teach the gospel.

I was very impressed with Austin’s outline and reading comprehension skills.  It also revealed, once again, the simplicity of the Bible in revealing the plan of salvation.  A  9-year old boy could read the text and understand what the Eunuch did to be saved, and thus know what we need to do to be saved.  Yet, so many adults either neglect to read the Bible, or rationalize not obeying its straightforward message.  For example, Austin was able to see that baptism was a part of the Eunuch being saved.  Yet, many wish to dismiss this simple teaching.

After developing his outline, I helped him use a concordance and find supportive verses to further teach these points.  We added illustrations and discussed presentation.  We worked on the introduction and the conclusion.  After the lesson was put together, I instructed him to read it regularly and practice it.  I watched him a couple of times practicing offering a couple of tips, but primarily encouraging.

Austin did a great job of presenting the lesson twice this past Tuesday at two nursing homes.  He did much better than I did at my first speaking occasion.  To the tell the truth, he did better than me at my first speaking devo in college.  He must get much of his ability and confidence from his mom!  He told me he thought the second time went better than the first.  He told his mom, he was going to be like dad and preach the same sermon three or more times.  He is going to be delivering it again on a Sunday evening with other young men at 7 Oaks on Nov. 16th.

One final note, Austin typically leads some songs at the devos.  He is a better song leader than myself.  Since Ryan, our song leader couldn’t be there, and Austin was speaking I had to lead some songs.  But I had help.  I got Landon, my five year old with a booming voice, to lead three songs, and Austin sat behind me and sung loudly trying to help me out.  He was really worried for me and doubted my abilities.  Probably won’t be long and he will be replacing me in preaching too!

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