In this episode, Dr. David Allen argues that the public reading of Scripture is often done poorly and should be a Word-centered act of worship. He reflects on his own early tendency to read Scripture perfunctorily, then points to Reformation-era Church of Scotland practices and cites Nehemiah 8 and 1 Timothy 4 in explaining the biblical priority of public reading, exhortation, and teaching. Dr. Allen shares 10 practical keys for reading well, including choosing a reasonable-length text, using oral interpretation, practicing ahead of time, improving mechanics (diction, rate, pitch, volume), projecting, reading naturally, being heard/understood/felt, using good posture, varying eye contact, and not rushing. He demonstrates the difference by reading Luke 19:1–10 in two different styles, illuminating helpful and unhelpful ways to read Scripture.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen reads a book chapter which could have been a sermon – “Marks of Maturity in the Ministry,” by Warren Wiersbe. Listen to this chapter from “Listening to the Giants,” and ponder the wise words about preaching a sermon versus a message and being a man who acts rather than reacts.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen reads a transcript of Thomas Chalmers’ Sermon, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.” This episode is the third installment in a series looking at significant sermons from the past.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen shares a recording of Dr. Roy Metts’ 2004 Founders Day sermon at Criswell College. This episode is the second installment in a series looking at significant sermons from the past. In his sermon, Dr. Metts delivers an expositional message from Colossians 1.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen reads the transcript of a sermon from Bailey Smith, preached in 1980 during a chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. The sermon, looking at 2 Corinthians 4, is one for which Dr. Allen was present at the time of its delivery and one which has enduring value to pastors, theologians, and students still today.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen interviews Olivier Melnick, the founder and executive director of Shalom in Messiah Ministries. The son of Holocaust survivors from France, Olivier is an international speaker, an authority on the topic of antisemitism, and the author of seven books. This discussion centers around the root of antisemitism, how it has expanded in recent years, and what Christians can do to help combat it.

In this episode—the second in a two-part series—on the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen interviews Dr. Jim Sibley on the topic of Israel, specifically discussing replacement theology and whether the church has replaced Israel. Dr. Sibley and his wife served as missionaries in Israel for 16 years, and he currently serves as a Research Professor at Israel College of the Bible.

In this episode—the first in a two-part series—on the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen interviews Dr. Jim Sibley on the topic of Israel.  Dr. Sibley and his wife served as missionaries in Israel for 16 years, and he currently serves as a Research Professor at Israel College of the Bible.

In this episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen takes a look back at 2025 and discusses what lies ahead for the ministry in 2026 including events, coaching opportunities, new resources, and more.

In this year’s final episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, we share the most popular episode from all of 2025, Anatomy of a Sermon. In this episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the various aspects and functions of a sermon, comparing it to the anatomical design and study of the body.

Anatomy is the branch of science that studies the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on the physical arrangement of body parts, including cells, tissues, organs, and systems. Anatomy can be broadly divided into two types: gross anatomy (macroscopic) and microscopic anatomy.

Key aspects of anatomy:
Gross anatomy: Examines structures visible to the naked eye, including bones, muscles, organs, and organ systems.
Microscopic anatomy: Studies the microscopic structures of the body, including cells and tissues, using instruments like microscopes.
Subdivisions of gross anatomy: Include surface anatomy (examining the surface of the body), regional anatomy (focusing on specific regions), and systemic anatomy (studying the body systems). Importance: Anatomy is essential. It provides a foundational understanding of the human body for healthcare professionals, artists, and scientists.
Human Anatomy: Human anatomy involves the study of the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on numerous systems, including circulatory, digestive, endocrine, skeletal, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and muscular systems.

Sermon Anatomy – Effective Sermons:

1. INTERPRETATION - What is the meaning of the text? Determining textual meaning is the essential first step.
2. TRANSLATION - The job of the preacher is to transfer the meaning of the text to the audience in terms and contexts they understand. This is a kind of “translation,” reproducing textual meaning via the sermon. 
3. ORGANIZATION - In order to accomplish #2, every sermon should be structured for maximum effect. Thus, a sermon should contain the following 7 elements: 
   1. Exposition – Explaining the meaning of the text
   2. Illustration – Elucidating the meaning of the text
   3. Application – Applying the warranted meaning of the text
   4. Imagination – Helping people penetrate reality
   5. Argumentation – Proving the point of the text via its logic
   6. Motivation – Moving the will to obey - (via rhetoric, passion, exhortation, etc.)
   7. Exhortation – Telling them what to believe and practice; to do and not to do 
4. COMMUNICATION - Connecting with people via content and style
5. PASSION - Passion for Christ, the Word, and people expressed in delivery
6. PERSUASION - Preaching to convince people to think & act biblically. Behavior is based on belief. Change how people think, and you will change how they behave. (James 1:22)
7. TRANSFORMATION – Information is not transformation. Life transformation is the goal of preaching. Salvation of the lost; edification of the saved.