What is the Primary Focus of a Preacher's Preparation According to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the most important aspect of a preacher's preparation is preparing himself, not just his sermon. As he explains:

"The first and the most important thing that the preacher has got to do is to prepare himself, not his sermon. The most important preparation is the preparation of oneself."

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that while sermon preparation is crucial, the personal spiritual condition of the preacher takes precedence because it directly impacts the effectiveness of the ministry.

How Should a Preacher Approach Bible Reading According to Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones recommends several key approaches to Bible reading for preachers:

1. Read systematically: "My main advice here would be, read your Bible systematically. The danger is that one reads at random and that one tends to be reading, therefore, one's favorite passages."

2. Read the whole Bible annually: "I would say that the minister should read the whole Bible at least once every year."

3. Don't read just to find sermon texts: "One of the most fatal habits that a preacher can ever fall into is to read his Bible in order to find texts."

4. Be attentive to passages that "stand out": "When you are reading your scripture in that way... If the next verse stands out and hits you in this way, stop. Don't go on reading. Stop immediately and listen to it. It's speaking to you."

5. Document sermon ideas immediately: "Put it down on paper. For many, many years, I've never read my Bible without having a pad, either on my table or in my pocket."

What Role Does Prayer Play in a Preacher's Preparation?

Lloyd-Jones identifies prayer as "vital to the life of the preacher" while acknowledging that many struggle in this area. His advice includes:

1. Know yourself and your prayer patterns: "It is very important for one to know oneself in this matter."

2. Develop methods to enter a prayerful state: "I've had to learn one or two things about this. You can't pray to order. You can get on your knees to order, but you can't pray to order."

3. Use devotional reading to prepare for prayer: "To read something which can be in general characterized as devotional is of value... Read something that will warm your spirit."

4. Pray throughout the day: "Prayer is something that should be going on throughout the day. Prayer is not of necessity to be long. It can be brief."

5. Always respond to impulses to pray: "Always respond to every impulse to pray... Where does it come from? Well, I suggest it is the work of the Spirit."

What Reading Schedule Does Lloyd-Jones Recommend for Preachers?

Lloyd-Jones advocates a balanced reading regimen that includes:

1. Scripture reading: Following a systematic plan like Robert Murray M'Cheyne's, which takes you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year.

2. Devotional reading: Including Puritan writers, sermon collections, and biographies of great preachers.

3. Theological reading: "You don't finish with theology when you leave a seminary. You go on reading theology. As long as you're alive, you never stop."

4. Church history: "Go on reading church history. Never stop reading church history."

5. Apologetic reading: Books that address current theological trends and challenges to faith.

6. General reading: History, literature, and other subjects for mental refreshment and broader perspective.

How Can a Preacher Maintain Balance in His Study Life?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes balance as crucial for effective ministry:

1. Balance theological with devotional reading: "Read your theology, as I say, but always balance it not only with church history, but with biographies and this more devotional type of reading."

2. Organize reading by time of day: "If I'm reading, the stiffer and the more difficult books are, the more directly theological books and so on. In the morning I would read these others at night."

3. Read for stimulation, not just information: "The business of books is to make you think. We are not gramophone records, we are to think originally."

4. Include general reading for mental relief: "The mind needs rest... Read something different. Read something quite different."

5. Know your personal patterns and needs: "Know yourself. There will be special periods you'll find in your life. You'll have variations. You'll pass through phases and various states."