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Preach Like Dietrich
Bonhoeffer.

Let one text rule, clear away the tame version, turn on Christ, speak straight to them.

Preach Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer — Let one text rule, clear away the tame version, turn on Christ, speak straight to them.. A free guide from Pastor Center.
  • ✓8 of his sermons, studied start to finish
  • ✓Ten steps to preach the way he did
  • ✓A fill-in outline in his shape, 9 pages

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— Why he’s one of the greats

Let one text rule, clear away the tame version, turn on Christ, speak straight to them.

The German church between the wars. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Berlin theologian with a doctorate at 21, did most of his regular preaching away from home: a year as assistant pastor in Barcelona (1928), two years with two German congregations in London (1933-35), then the underground preachers’ seminary he led at Finkenwalde. His secret: he let one text do all the talking and refused to decorate it. He began by clearing away the sweet or safe version of the passage people already carried (the “dreamy” Mary, the treaty that keeps the peace, the love that holds a marriage together), then put plain, uncomfortable questions to the room. He did not announce heads; he walked the text’s own words. The turn almost always landed on Christ present in the room or on the cross, and he ended by speaking straight to the hearers with a command, a question or a prayer instead of a summary.

  • 71complete sermons and homilies in his Works
  • 2German congregations he served in London
  • 16volumes in the English Bonhoeffer Works

What makes his style unique

Clear the false pictureHe takes down the sentimental version before the text speaks.
Christ in the boatFear, war or a wedding apart is met by the present Christ.
Speak to them, not about themHe ends on a command, a rule, a question or a prayer.
“Very little could compete with the significance Bonhoeffer attached to preaching.”
Barry Harvey, Christian Century, 2012

Read the full story: How Dietrich Bonhoeffer Preached →

— Who wrote this

We’re pastors. We’ve had your Monday.

Pastor Center is built and written by pastors — a lead pastor who planted churches, and a church planter who grew one to 4,000 in four years. The same team teaches 9 free courses and 164 lessons. This guide is the short version.

  • 9free courses
  • 164lessons, all free
  • ARCChurches partner

— What you get

What’s inside

Preach Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer — Let one text rule, clear away the tame version, turn on Christ, speak straight to them..

  1. 01Why he’s one of the greatsThe story, the numbers and what made his style his own.
  2. 02What he does8 of his sermons, studied start to finish, and the shape they share.
  3. 03How he does itTen steps to preach the way he did.
  4. 04His outlineWhere the time goes, movement by movement.
  5. 05Write one like Dietrich BonhoefferA fill-in outline in his shape, ready for your own text.
  6. 06SourcesEvery quote and number, cited.

— The plan

Three steps. Starting today.

01

Tell us where to send it

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02

Study him in one sitting

9 pages: 8 of his sermons studied, ten steps, and an outline you fill in with your own text.

03

Preach it Sunday

Fill in the outline with your own text and preach your next sermon the way Dietrich Bonhoeffer would.

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