To really study a text takes time and effort. It involves a lot of thinking, reading, original language work for those that can, note taking, diagramming, plot analysis, word studies and so on. If you’ve really studied a passage well, let the fruit be multiplied. Here are some ideas:

1. Preach more than one sermon. As a pastor it is possible to preach the sermon on Sunday morning, then come at the passage again in the evening. Perhaps the evening could focus less on explanation, and more on fleshing out the possible relevance and applications of the idea. If we’re honest, how much do people grasp on a “once-only” schedule? Why not double up the dose, more will stick!

2. Produce study notes. Perhaps for a home group study, but not just for that. Why not produce a sheet of notes that will help your listeners think through the passage again during the week? The fruit of your study can be a guide for them in exegeting the passage, arriving at the main idea and points of application.

3. Participate in a forum. Some preachers would run a mile from this idea, and some probably should. However, if you have the mind and the grace to handle this, consider offering a forum, a Q&A time on the passage. Let people ask questions and interact with the subject or passage, you be the resource to help people think clearly. This may be more appropriate on some subjects than others, but if a group of people would come and benefit from your study, why not?

4. Publish it in some way. Perhaps your study would yield a magazine article? Maybe this would just go in the church newssheet, a denominational publication or maybe one of the big Christian magazines. Perhaps your work has what it takes for a journal article, or for a one-page handout you can make available at the back for the next few weeks. Publishing doesn’t have to involve contracts and massive time commitments. If you’ve done the work, perhaps there are ways others can benefit. How about the recorded message? Then there’s the wild world of the internet. It is full of all sorts of stuff (who am I to talk?), so if you think your notes or article will help, then add them to the mix. However, remember your goal is to bless and help others, not drain away your own time for the benefit of none (easy to do with internet or self-publishing).

5. Preach it again. If the sermon is still fresh as you re-work it, preach it again. Perhaps to the same people after a significant delay. You’ll be both excited and disappointed by the fact they may not even notice! Or you could preach it somewhere else. Switch pulpits with a pastor friend and both preach an old message – less preparation, but possibly great blessing for the two churches.