 
RECOMMENDED STUDY HABITS FOR YOUNG PREACHERS
Dear Bro. Jim:
You will be able to gain the knowledge you need if you will learn to schedule and discipline your time. For example I would suggest that you create a schedule something like the following: Be at your desk by 8:00 Monday -Friday. Break you studies into time blocks. For example: 8:00-9:00, reading in How to Study and Understand the Bible. From 9:00 to 10:00 Introductions to the Books of the Bible; From 11:00 -12:00, Church History. From 1:00 -2:00 Sermon preparation; From 2:00-3:00 Class preparation. Once you start a course of study, for example church history, read, not just one but perhaps half dozen books on that subject, so that at the end you will have the equivalent of a semester of study in that particular field. As you read, do so with a colored marker in hand. Highlight every significant point you learn, write notations in the margins of your books that will help you find that quote later should you wish to use it. Keep a note book and jot down important information that you will be able to use in classes and sermons. I strongly suggest that you coordinate you studies with your classes and sermons. This will help you in several ways. - Your classes and sermons will have much more depth because of your studies.
- You will have more time to put into your sermons and classes.
- You will be getting two jobs done with the single investment of your time.
- You should even plan to write short pieces for your bulletin from the lessons you are currently studying.
- The immediate use of what you are learning will help you to retain the information in your memory.
For example if you are studying Genesis, plan your Sunday evening sermons from the Book of Genesis, or perhaps one of your Bible Classes. The best time to do an in-depth reading on the book of Hebrews is while you are teaching Hebrews
When beginning a new course of study, always plan to read first a good book by a fellow member of the Church. That will give you focus, point out many of the common denomination errors that are held and taught and fortify you with sound doctrine. Then follow that with quality books by others who will help you with cultural, historical and grammatical backgrounds. You prior reading will help you avoid being mislead by their faulty theology. For example if you were studying John's Gospel, first read Guy N. Woods' Commentary on John. You could then follow this up by Merrill Tenny's book on John, The Gospel of Belief.
Do not allow anything to disrupt your studies until you have finished the course you are pursuing. When you finish one, immediately chose another until you have covered the entire range of Biblical studies...that will take several years. In fact a good preacher never ceases to be a diligent student. After 47 years I still have a goal of reading a book per week, besides my other studies. JHW |
