Do you know which sermon topics you will preach in the new year? You may be asking yourself,
- What do I preach next year?
- How can I get ahead in my sermon preparation?
- What are the sermon topics that my church needs to hear in the coming year?
No matter the questions, you can never plan too early. Preaching year after year can be a daunting part of pastoring. That’s why we have created a list of 7 sermon topics you’ll want to preach in the new year to help you plan and prepare. As you prepare for the upcoming year, use this list to make your planning easier!
Sermon Topics to Preach in the New Year
1. Preach the Words of Jesus
There is no better subject than Jesus! He shared so much wisdom during his ministry here on earth, and it’s all available to us in the Gospels. The words of Jesus are relevant no matter what time or place you live in, so it’s an excellent preaching topic for all churches from all places and ages. There was no person to walk this earth who was more influential and life-changing than Jesus, so this is a great topic to revisit year after year with your church.
Unsure of where to start? Take the following verses and break them down for your congregation:
- Matthew 6:33 – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (NLT)
- John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (NLT)
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on the Words of Jesus. You can also find a handy list of quotations by Jesus here: 50 Jesus Quotes.
2. Preach Spiritual Disciplines
Salvation is a gift, but discipleship is not free. It comes at a price. We must sacrifice things in our lives to develop and establish spiritual disciplines in our day to day. Prayer, Bible reading, and worship are important aspects of our lives as disciples of Jesus.
Your church is probably full of both people who have been Christians for years and those who are new to the faith. No matter what experience a person may have, everyone can grow in spiritual disciplines. Include this one as you consider what sermon topics you’ll want to preach in 2025. For those new to Jesus, a series about spiritual disciplines will help them grow in those areas as they discover who they are in Christ.
The people who have been with Jesus will know that spiritual zeal can come and go, but the only way to keep it going is to develop healthy disciplines. When you spend time in prayer or worship at times that you’re not “feeling it,” things grow and develop in you. As Henri Nouwen said, “It is precisely in times of spiritual dryness that we must hold on to our spiritual discipline so that we can grow into new intimacy with God.”
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on spiritual disciplines.
3. Preach on How to Respond to Fear and Anxiety
So many of us watched in shock and confusion as our world shifted drastically in 2020. So many things changed, evolved, and developed in our society. As a result, people began reporting higher rates of fear and anxiety than ever before.
While many pastors have been covering this subject for the last couple of years, if you haven’t yet engaged in this topic with your church, now is a great time to start. When you think about sermon topics you’ll want to preach in 2025, make this a significant consideration for the overall health and growth of the people in your church!
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on fear and anxiety.
4. Preach About Marriage, Family, and Relationships
Along with increased fear and anxiety, 2020 also exposed many unhealthy family systems and personal relationships. God cares deeply about our marriages and our families. Marriage and family was His idea! Marriages need restoration, families need reconciliation, and healthy friendships must be built and developed. Therefore, one of the most beneficial sermon topics you’ll want to preach in 2025 will be on marriage, family, and relationships.
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on marriage, family, and relationships.
5. Preach on Generosity and Finances
Money is an important subject. There is an earthly way to view money and a heavenly way to approach money. You can help your church grow in healthy finances by discussing it in 2025! You can talk about tithing and why it’s significant. Many of us can grow in generosity, and healthy management of our finances is vital to our overall growth and development as Christ followers.
Don’t let these topics become taboo. Talk about them.
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on finances/money and generosity.
6. Preach Gratitude and Thankfulness
With the growth of anxiety in our world, we’ve also learned about the power of gratitude and thankfulness. One of the many solutions to anxiety is gratitude. When we are thankful for what we have in our lives, it silences the voices that tell us that our lives are less than or inadequate.
In 2022, Mental Health USA wrote, “Studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms” (The Importance of Practicing Gratitude and Celebrating Small Victories). If psychologists acknowledge gratitude as a powerful tool, how much more effective is it for us as believers?
When we have nothing else, we have Jesus.
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on gratitude and thankfulness.
7. Preach on the Need to Reach Lost People
Romans 10:14 says, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (NLT). If we don’t tell others about Jesus, they won’t know him. We are responsible for sharing Jesus with those in our neighborhoods, families, workplaces, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, parks, libraries, and even our homes.
Your church can be known for how great it worships, how great you preach, and how great your children’s ministry is, but if you aren’t out there telling others about Jesus, you’re missing a key responsibility for each of us.
Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” What is the biggest reason that most people struggle to do this?
- They don’t know how.
- They’re nervous or afraid to.
So, when you think about what sermon topics you’ll want to preach in 2025, this should be high on your list!
Find inspiration from your fellow pastors and their sermons on reaching the lost and the Great Commission.
The Purpose of Discipleship Is to Grow
Your church can grow numerically, but I would encourage you to consider one major thing, “Are the people in my church growing in their walk with Jesus?” As you plan the sermon topics you’ll want to preach in 2025, keep such questions in mind:
- What are the things that your church desperately needs to hear next year?
- Are there opportunities to help disciple them and see them grow?
- How can you make the most of those moments?
Ultimately, these topics are a suggestion, but very little is more beneficial than spending time in prayer. God will reveal the issues you’ll want to preach on in 2025. He’ll show you what your congregation needs most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions pastors might ask:
1. What are some strategies for engaging youth through relevant sermon topics?
Engage youth by choosing topics they face daily, such as identity, peer pressure, and purpose. Incorporate relatable stories, interactive elements, and cultural references that resonate with their experiences. Use a conversational tone and emphasize God’s guidance in their personal and spiritual growth, making sermons practical and impactful.
2. How can I incorporate technology and media into my sermons to enhance engagement?
Use visuals, videos, and interactive tools like polls or live Q&A sessions to leverage technology. Share sermon slides or clips on social media to reach broader audiences. Incorporate storytelling through multimedia to illustrate key points, ensuring it enhances rather than distracts from the message, fostering a deeper connection with listeners.
3. What are the best practices for developing a year-long sermon series plan?
Begin by praying for direction and identifying your congregation’s spiritual needs. Create a balanced plan covering foundational topics, seasonal themes, and emerging issues. Incorporate feedback from past sermons and coordinate with your church calendar. Leave room for flexibility to address unexpected events, ensuring a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to spiritual growth.
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