The Experience of Studying Hebrew as a Student Who is Blind
Sarah Blake is a licensed minister with the Church of God (Anderson, IN). She is available to provide biblical teaching, ministry seminars, or music ministry for your church. Hear samples from some of her presentations and contact her for booking information.
Development of content for this site is supported by your contributions, the sale of products through various affiliate programs, and Sarah's work as a writer, speaker, and in other areas listed on her services page. If the material on this site has been helpful or encouraging to you, please consider shopping using the sites linked here--and return to do your shopping anytime using these links to continue supporting this site--or making a contribution using the Amazon Honor System.
In Preaching Without Notes, Joseph Webb discusses the reason for preaching without a manuscript and presents a strategy for planning and delivering the sermon. He explains that when most people think of preaching without notes, they think of preaching extemporaneously. He explains that extemporaneous speaking is speaking without preparation and differentiates this type of speaking from a well-prepared sermon that is delivered without notes. He also differentiates the sermon delivered without notes from the memorized manuscript.
Webb proposes that preparation of the sermon take place over a week with a different phase happening each day. He explains that in order to preach effectively without notes, it is necessary to become intimately familiar with the text and any additional sources used. He also explains that memorization of the outline is affected by a number of factors and provides a discussion of ways to strengthen memory.
At the back of the book, Webb provides a transcript of a sermon he preached without notes. While a transcript does not provide the complete experience of hearing a sermon preached without notes, it can provide an understanding of the differences in organization between a manuscript and a sermon that is delivered conversationally. Since Webb used this sermon as a case study throughout the text, it is helpful to see the finished product.
Webb begins his argument for preaching without notes by comparing the sermon read from a manuscript with the children’s sermon. This analogy did not work for me at all. I appreciated the idea that he was trying to communicate. However, I have witnessed many poorly handled children’s moments in which the speaker was obviously unsure of what language to use or how to conduct himself in front of a group which was not interactive. On the other hand, the children’s sermon which involves interactive questions is delivered differently from the sermon which is not interactive. The deliverer of the interactive children’s sermon can take certain cues from the children who are interacting with him. I felt that these nuances were glossed over and are very important. For some people, lack of interaction can create a stumbling block, causing anxiety which results in memory lapses.
Webb acknowledges that several things can impact the ability to memorize (p. 80); but he also assumes that these things can all be overcome. He seems to be of the opinion that speaking with notes is often poor. My experience is that effective speaking can still take place with notes, though the point about sermons being more effective if not delivered from a manuscript is well taken. While certainly a good number of people are underconfident regarding their potential ability to memorize, it should be mentioned that the impact of a poorly delivered sermon without notes is also negative. I believe that there are some people who need notes, among them those in transition from manuscript preaching and those who have chronic health conditions or who may have had a difficult night or morning prior to preaching.
Webb, Joseph. Preaching Without Notes. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2001.
Buy this book from Amazon.com
Sarah Blake graduated from Anderson University with an M.Div., professional distinction in Hebrew, in August, 2009. She provides biblical teaching for retreats, church services, and other special events; music ministry; and education for churches and community groups seeking to develop strategies for including people with disabilities. For more information about booking Sarah to speak at your church or community event, visit her services page.
Shop at Amazon.com
Sarah J. Blake