Shepherd’s Sacred Duty: A Thorough Examination of Our Preaching and Teaching Ministry

By Prof Oyewole Sarumi

Preaching is not merely a profession; it is a divine calling. Those who stand before God’s people to proclaim His Word bear a sacred responsibility—one that demands constant self-evaluation, humility, and a relentless pursuit of faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy remains as urgent today as it was two millennia ago: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV).

Every sermon delivered, every lesson taught, is an eternal investment. Thus, we must regularly pause and ask ourselves hard questions—not to wallow in guilt but to grow in grace, ensuring that our ministry aligns with God’s purposes.

In this comprehensive reflection, we will examine fifteen critical questions every preacher and teacher must consider after delivering a message. These questions span the spiritual, practical, and relational dimensions of ministry, helping us refine our craft while deepening our dependence on God.

Did I Proclaim the Word Clearly?

The Priority of Clarity in Preaching
The first duty of a preacher is not eloquence but clarity. If the congregation leaves confused about the text, we have failed in our primary task. The prophet Habakkuk received a divine command: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Our preaching should be so clear that listeners can immediately grasp and apply it.

Reflection:

• Did my sermon have a coherent structure (text, explanation, application)?
• Were my illustrations illuminating or distracting?
• Did I avoid unnecessary theological jargon that might alienate seekers or young believers?

1. Did I Allow Anything or Anyone to Distract Me from the Task of Proclamation?

The Danger of Divided Focus

Preaching requires undivided attention. Jesus warned, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Distractions—whether personal anxieties, technical glitches, or preoccupation with people’s reactions—can dilute the power of our message.

Reflection:

• Did I let minor frustrations (sound issues, latecomers, etc.) disrupt my focus?
• Was I more concerned with pleasing people than proclaiming truth?

1. Did I Pray Fervently During My Preparation?

The Non-Negotiable Role of Prayer
A sermon birthed in human wisdom alone is lifeless. True spiritual power comes when we kneel before we stand to preach. The early church devoted themselves to “prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

Charles Spurgeon once remarked, “Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon.” If our preparation was rushed, prayerless, or self-reliant, we preached in the flesh rather than the Spirit.

Reflection:

• Did I seek God’s heart before crafting my message?
• Did I intercede for my hearers, asking God to open their hearts?

1. Would Someone Know How to Follow Jesus Based on My Message Yesterday?

The Gospel Must Be Central

Every sermon should, in some way, point to Christ. Paul resolved to “know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). If our message was moralistic (just “do better”) rather than gospel-centered (trust in Christ), we missed the mark.

Reflection:

• Did I present Jesus as the solution, not just behavior modification?
• Was the call to repentance and faith clear?

1. Did I Stand Before God’s People as Holy Yesterday?

The Weight of Personal Holiness
God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11), but its impact can be hindered by the preacher’s unrepentant sin. “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4).

Reflection:

• Was I walking in unconfessed sin while preaching?
• Did I prepare my heart as diligently as I prepared my sermon?

1. Was I Fully Prepared?

Excellence Honors God
While we trust the Holy Spirit, He does not excuse laziness. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). Poor preparation dishonors God and cheats the congregation.

Reflection:

• Did I study sufficiently, or did I rush my preparation?
• Did I rehearse my delivery to ensure clarity and conviction?

1. Did I Operate in God’s Strength or My Own?

The Danger of Self-Reliance

Preaching in human strength leads to burnout; preaching in God’s power brings transformation. “My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Reflection:

• Did I rely on my eloquence or on the Holy Spirit?
• Was there a tangible sense of God’s anointing?

1. Did I Seek Man’s Applause?

The Temptation of Performance
Jesus warned, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). If we preach for the “Good sermon!” rather than “Well done, good and faithful servant,” we have traded eternal rewards for fleeting praise.

Reflection:

• Did I inwardly crave compliments?
• Was I disappointed if people didn’t respond as I hoped?

1. Did I Teach in a Way That Both Non-Believers and Believers Could Understand?

Preaching to a Mixed Audience
Paul instructed, “Let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26). A good preacher bridges the gap between the mature and the seeker.

Reflection:

• Was my language accessible to newcomers?
• Did I define key terms (e.g., justification, sanctification)?

1. Would the Members Remember My Major Points and Applications Today?

The Challenge of Retention in Preaching

In our information-saturated age, where attention spans dwindle by the minute, the true test of effective preaching is not merely in the delivery but in the retention and application of truth. Neuroscience research reveals that people typically remember only 10-20% of what they hear after 24 hours unless the message is reinforced through repetition, emotional engagement, and clear application (Medina, 2008).

Paul understood this when he told Timothy, “Command and teach these things… Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:11,15). A sermon should not just inform—it should transform.

Reflection & Application:

• Was my sermon structured for memory? Did I use memorable phrases, repetition, or a clear outline (e.g., three key points) to aid retention?
• Did I provide tangible applications? Vague exhortations like “trust God more” are harder to implement than specific action steps (e.g., “This week, when anxiety strikes, pause and pray Psalm 23 aloud”).
• Did I employ storytelling? Jesus’ parables endure because narratives stick. Modern studies confirm that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone (Stanford Graduate School of Business).
• Follow-up strategy: Could I send an email summary or discussion questions to small groups to reinforce the message?

1. Did I Avoid Anybody Yesterday at Church?

The Relational Integrity of a Shepherd
Preaching is not just about the pulpit—it’s about the people. If we intentionally or unintentionally avoid certain individuals, our ministry suffers. “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there… first be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23-24).

The Deeper Implications:

• Unresolved conflict hinders anointing: Jonathan Edwards noted that “a spirit of discord among brethren is like a disease in the lungs—it weakens the whole body’s ability to breathe.”
• Avoidance reveals fear or pride: Are we steering clear of someone because of awkwardness, guilt, or dislike? Such avoidance betrays a lack of gospel courage.
• Practical steps:
• Before next Sunday, reach out to anyone you unintentionally ignored.
• Practice “purposeful lingering” after services—stand at the exit, greet latecomers, and seek out those who seem disconnected.

1. Did I Thank God for Little Victories Yesterday?

The Discipline of Celebrating Grace

In ministry, we often fixate on what went wrong—the poorly delivered illustration, the low attendance, the unresponsive crowd. But Paul commands, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Why Gratitude Matters:

• Neuroscience shows gratitude rewires the brain for resilience (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Thankful pastors are less prone to burnout.
• Small victories are divine fingerprints: A teenager taking notes, a skeptic staying to ask questions, an elderly saint whispering “Amen”—these are evidences of grace.
• Action step: Keep a “ministry gratitude journal.” Each Sunday evening, record 3 specific ways God moved, no matter how small.

1. Do I Love God’s Church More or Less After This Past Sunday?

The Heartbeat of Ministry: Love or Duty?
Ministry fatigue is real. When sermons feel like performances, people like projects, and Sundays like obligations, our love grows cold. Yet Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?… Feed My sheep” (John 21:17).

Diagnosing the Heart:

• Signs of waning love:
• Irritation at minor inconveniences (e.g., complaints about music volume).
• Viewing pastoral care as interruption rather than privilege.
• Rekindling love:
• Remember their eternal value: That “difficult” member is Christ’s blood-bought treasure.
• Pray for them by name: As D.L. Moody said, “You can’t hate someone you pray for daily.”
• Revisit your calling: Read your ordination vows or journal entries from when you first loved the flock.

1. What Changes Do I Need to Make Based on Yesterday’s Preaching?

The Humility to Grow

Charles Spurgeon warned, “A preacher who stops learning stops preaching well.” Every sermon is a laboratory for growth.

Constructive Evaluation Framework:

1. Content:

• Did I misinterpret any text? (Compare with trusted commentaries.)
• Was my gospel connection clear enough?

1. Delivery:

• Did I speak too fast? (Average adult listening pace is 125-150 words/minute.)
• Did my body language convey passion or distraction?

1. Response:

• What questions did people ask afterward? (Their questions reveal gaps in clarity.)
• Did the applications lead to action? (Follow up with a midweek email: “How did you apply Sunday’s message?”)

1. What’s My Plan to Strengthen My Preaching for Next Week?

From Diagnosis to Prescription
Identifying weaknesses is useless without a growth plan. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance” (Proverbs 21:5).

Concrete Growth Strategies:

• Skill Development:
• For exegesis: Dedicate 1 hour this week to studying a biblical genre you neglect (e.g., apocalyptic literature).
• For delivery: Record your sermon and analyze 3 minutes for filler words (“um,” “ah”).
• Spiritual Renewal:
• Preach to yourself first: Spend a day meditating on next Sunday’s text before researching.
• Seek feedback: Ask a trusted layperson, “What’s one thing I could do to make my preaching more helpful?”
• Long-Term Investment:
• Read one preaching book per quarter (e.g., Biblical Preaching by Robinson or Preaching by Keller).
• Annual preaching retreat: 2 days away to evaluate sermons, pray, and plan series. Conclusion: The Sacred Cycle of Preparation, Proclamation, and Reflection

Great preachers are not born—they are forged through relentless self-evaluation, humble repentance, and intentional growth. As Richard Baxter exhorted, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine… lest you unsay with your lives what you say with your tongues.”

Let us preach as dying men to dying men, with hearts aflame for Christ, minds sharpened by Scripture, and souls dependent on the Spirit. May our preaching be “not with persuasive words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4), until the day we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Soli Deo Gloria.