Pen to Pulpit

Helping preachers move from preparation to proclamation

Start New Sermon clears the current draft (including timers) and takes you back to Step 1.Not saved yet

Step Index / Jump To

[Step 1: Text]

Incomplete

Translation: ESV

Scripture Reference *

[Metadata — Optional]

Title
Date preached
Series

Scripture Text *

Paste Scripture text here or use “Retrieve ESV Text”.

I have entered the text (ESV).

[Step 2: Reflection — Before Study]

Incomplete

Write honestly: what’s going on in you as you come to this text? Confession, needs, fears, hopes, sins to repent of, faith to exercise, and what you’re asking God to do in you. Minimum 200 words.

Step 2 is locked until Step 1 is complete.

Personal reflection (min 200 words) *

Word count: 0 / 200

I wrote specifically (not generic), and I’m being honest before God.

To complete Step 2:

Complete Step 1 first.
Beginning reflection: minimum 200 words required.
Confirm you wrote honestly and specifically (not generic).

[Prayer: Before Study (10 minutes)]

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This timer is required and cannot be finished early. After it completes, write at least 30 words of prayer substance.

Prayer — Before Study is locked until Step 2 is complete.

Verse prompt

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- 2 Tim. 2:15

Open mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
- Ps. 119:19

Timer: 10:00

Prayer (written substance — min 30 words) *

Word count: 0 / 30

To complete Prayer — Before Study:

Complete Step 2 first.
Start the 10-minute timer.
Timer must finish (10:00 → 0:00).
Write at least 30 words (prayer substance).

[Step 4: Commentators]

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Summarize the main interpretive options, then state clearly where you land and why.

Step 4 is locked until Step 3 is complete.

Differing views + where I land (min 100 words) *

Word count: 0 / 100

I have considered differing views and stated where I land.

To complete Step 4:

Complete Step 3 first.
Commentators: minimum 100 words required.
Confirm you considered differing views and stated where you land.

[Step 5: Export Observations]

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Download your completed observations.

Locked until all observations are completed.

Filename: pen-to-pulpit-observations.txt

[Prayer: After Study (10 minutes)]

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This timer is required and cannot be finished early. After it completes, write at least 30 words of prayer substance.

Prayer — After Study is locked until Step 4 is complete.

Verse prompt

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
- Nehemiah 8:8

As YHWH liveth, what YHWH saith unto me, that will I speak.
- 1 Kings 22:14

Timer: 10:00

Prayer (written substance — min 30 words) *

Word count: 0 / 30

To complete Prayer — After Study:

Complete Step 4 first.
Complete Step 5 first.
Start the 10-minute timer.
Timer must finish (10:00 → 0:00).
Write at least 30 words (prayer substance).

[Outline]

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Build the sermon’s structure from the text’s logic: outline, flow, and headings that will drive the manuscript.

Outline is locked until Prayer 2 is complete.

Sermon Outline / Main Points (min 50 words) *

Word count: 0 / 50

Text Flow – what the passage is doing (min 50 words) *

Word count: 0 / 50

My structure follows the text’s logic (not my hobby-horse).

[Headings Expansion]

After your outline is set: tell me how many headings are in it. Then you must write for each heading: Explanation + Illustration + Application totaling 500 words per heading, plus a transition to the next heading.

How many headings are in your outline? *

(creates Heading 1…Heading N)

To complete Outline:

Complete Prayer 2 first.
Outline: minimum 50 words required.
Text Flow: minimum 50 words required.
Confirm your structure follows the text’s logic.
Answer: how many headings are in your outline?

[Big Idea]

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Big Idea is locked until Outline is complete.

Big Idea / Proposition (min 50 words) *

Word count: 0 / 50

To complete Big Idea:

Complete Outline first.
Big Idea: minimum 50 words required.

[Purpose / Aim]

Incomplete

Purpose / Aim is locked until Big Idea is complete.

Purpose / Aim (1–2 sentences, min 20 words) *

Word count: 0 / 20

This aim is concrete and listener-facing.

To complete Purpose / Aim:

Complete Big Idea first.
Purpose / Aim: minimum 20 words required.
Confirm your aim is concrete and listener-facing.

[Observations (50)]

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Make 50 observations across the categories below. Each observation requires a minimum of 15 words (enforced by section totals).

Observations are locked until Purpose / Aim is complete.

Historical Context — 5 observations required

0/75 words

Audience, background, geography, dates, key figures/events, and any controversies/misunderstandings that affect the text.

Words: 0 / 75 (requiredWords = 75)
Estimated observations: 0 / 5 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Word Studies — 6 observations required

0/90 words

Key words and language features: main verbs, commands, parsing, repeated terms, and meaningful word choices.

Words: 0 / 90 (requiredWords = 90)
Estimated observations: 0 / 6 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Syntax / Exegesis — 6 observations required

0/90 words

Grammar and structure: clauses, connectors, emphasis, logical relationships, and how the argument hangs together.

Words: 0 / 90 (requiredWords = 90)
Estimated observations: 0 / 6 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Literary Genre — 4 observations required

0/60 words

Genre signals and implications: what kind of literature is this and what does that require of interpretation?

Words: 0 / 60 (requiredWords = 60)
Estimated observations: 0 / 4 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Literary Unit — 4 observations required

0/60 words

Where this passage begins/ends and how it fits in the near context; how the section moves and develops.

Words: 0 / 60 (requiredWords = 60)
Estimated observations: 0 / 4 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Intertextuality — 5 observations required

0/75 words

OT/NT echoes, quotations, allusions, and canonical connections that illuminate meaning and authorial intent.

Words: 0 / 75 (requiredWords = 75)
Estimated observations: 0 / 5 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Authorial Intent / Theme — 10 observations required

0/150 words

State the theme clearly, track movement, and show how the author substantiates the main point with supporting statements.

Words: 0 / 150 (requiredWords = 150)
Estimated observations: 0 / 10 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Application — 5 observations required

0/75 words

The 'so what'—what the author expects the reader to do/feel/believe; gospel implications and practical outworking.

Words: 0 / 75 (requiredWords = 75)
Estimated observations: 0 / 5 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

Outline — 5 observations required

0/75 words

Trace the structure of the passage: progression, divisions, and a clear outline that reflects the text’s logic.

Words: 0 / 75 (requiredWords = 75)
Estimated observations: 0 / 5 Keep writing to reach the section requirement.

Section observations

[Sermon Writing]

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Write your sermon manuscript using the headings generated from your outline.

Sermon Writing is locked until Observations are complete.

Generate headings from your outline to begin writing the manuscript.

[Observations Reference]

Read-only reference for your observations. Line breaks are preserved.

Historical Context — 5 observations required

Required words: 75

(empty)

Word Studies — 6 observations required

Required words: 90

(empty)

Syntax / Exegesis — 6 observations required

Required words: 90

(empty)

Literary Genre — 4 observations required

Required words: 60

(empty)

Literary Unit — 4 observations required

Required words: 60

(empty)

Intertextuality — 5 observations required

Required words: 75

(empty)

Authorial Intent / Theme — 10 observations required

Required words: 150

(empty)

Application — 5 observations required

Required words: 75

(empty)

Outline — 5 observations required

Required words: 75

(empty)

To complete Sermon Writing:

Complete Observations first.
Answer: how many headings are in your outline?

[Step 7: Conclusion]

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Head: what must be believed/understood.
Heart: what must be loved/felt/repented of.
Hands: what must be done—concrete obedience.

Audience: Believer-Professing Believer-Unbeliever

Scope: Individual-Family-Church-World

Domain: Mind-Affections-Will

Step 7 is locked until Step 6 is complete.

Conclusion (min 150 words) *

Word count: 0 / 150

These are concrete, pastoral, and aimed at real people in my congregation.

To complete Step 7:

Complete Step 6 first.
Conclusion: minimum 150 words required.

[Step 8: Introduction]

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Write the introduction last: hook, set the stakes, state the aim, and get to the text quickly. Minimum 300 words.

Step 8 is locked until Step 7 is complete.

Introduction (min 300 words) *

Word count: 0 / 300

This intro hooks attention, states the aim, and gets to the text.

To complete Step 8:

Complete Step 7 first.
Introduction: minimum 300 words required.
Confirm the intro sets the hook, states the aim, and gets to the text.

[Prayer: After Introduction (10 minutes)]

Incomplete

This timer is required and must fully elapse before moving on. After it completes, write at least 30 words of prayer substance.

Prayer — After Introduction is locked until Step 8 is complete.

Verse prompt

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this
thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
- 1 Tim. 4:16

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, 
but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
- 1 Cor. 2:4-5

Timer: 10:00

Prayer (written substance — min 30 words) *

Word count: 0 / 30

To complete Prayer — After Introduction:

Complete Step 8 first.
Start the 10-minute timer.
Timer must finish (10:00 → 0:00).
Write at least 30 words (prayer substance).

[Step 9: Reflection — After Manuscript]

Incomplete

Before exporting: reflect on how the text (and the sermon you wrote) has addressed you personally—sins exposed, comforts given, faith strengthened, obedience clarified, and how you must model repentance/faith before the flock. Minimum 200 words.
Note: reflections are not included in the copied manuscript export.

Step 9 is locked until Prayer — After Introduction is complete.

Personal reflection (min 200 words) *

Word count: 0 / 200

I reflected personally and specifically (not generic).

To complete Step 9:

Complete Prayer — After Introduction first.
Ending reflection: minimum 200 words required.
Confirm you reflected personally and specifically (not generic).

[Step 10: Export — Final]

Locked

Copy exports a clean manuscript (Text → Intro → Headings (with transitions) → Conclusion).
Excluded from copy: personal reflections, written prayers, and observations.

Export is locked until Step 9 is complete.

Export word count: 245

Export preview (this is what gets copied)

[Reference]

[Observations]
[Historical Context]
Required observations: 5 (75 words @ 15 words/observation)
Audience, background, geography, dates, key figures/events, and any controversies/misunderstandings that affect the text.
(empty)

[Word Studies]
Required observations: 6 (90 words @ 15 words/observation)
Key words and language features: main verbs, commands, parsing, repeated terms, and meaningful word choices.
(empty)

[Syntax / Exegesis]
Required observations: 6 (90 words @ 15 words/observation)
Grammar and structure: clauses, connectors, emphasis, logical relationships, and how the argument hangs together.
(empty)

[Literary Genre]
Required observations: 4 (60 words @ 15 words/observation)
Genre signals and implications: what kind of literature is this and what does that require of interpretation?
(empty)

[Literary Unit]
Required observations: 4 (60 words @ 15 words/observation)
Where this passage begins/ends and how it fits in the near context; how the section moves and develops.
(empty)

[Intertextuality]
Required observations: 5 (75 words @ 15 words/observation)
OT/NT echoes, quotations, allusions, and canonical connections that illuminate meaning and authorial intent.
(empty)

[Authorial Intent / Theme]
Required observations: 10 (150 words @ 15 words/observation)
State the theme clearly, track movement, and show how the author substantiates the main point with supporting statements.
(empty)

[Application]
Required observations: 5 (75 words @ 15 words/observation)
The 'so what'—what the author expects the reader to do/feel/believe; gospel implications and practical outworking.
(empty)

[Outline]
Required observations: 5 (75 words @ 15 words/observation)
Trace the structure of the passage: progression, divisions, and a clear outline that reflects the text’s logic.
(empty)


[Sermon Manuscript]

[Introduction]


[Conclusion]