What Makes a Good Sermon? | Dr. Jessica LaGrone | It's Elementary Podcast IE 32

What Makes a Good Sermon? | Dr. Jessica LaGrone | It's Elementary Podcast IE 32

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Dr. Jessica LaGrone, a beloved and widely respected preacher, teacher, and leader at Asbury Theological Seminary, for an in-depth conversation on the art, theology, and practice of preaching. Drawing from years of experience in the pulpit and the classroom, Dr. LaGrone offers insight into what makes preaching not just effective but transformative, helping listeners move from simply hearing Scripture to encountering Christ through it.  Dr. Watson and Dr. LaGrone also discuss the hidden work of preaching, the long, often unseen process of prayer, study, editing, and discernment that shapes every message before it is ever spoken.  They reflect on the challenge of communicating deep theological truth in ways that are accessible, faithful, and transformative—so that listeners don’t just understand the text, but are invited into God’s story.   KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Why preaching matters 2:00 What makes a sermon “good” 4:00 Scripture and the central idea 7:00 Connecting with the audience 10:00 Preaching with empathy and context 15:00 Growing as a preacher 17:00 Every sermon points to the gospel 23:00 Jessica LaGrone’s sermon preparation process 27:00 Finding clarity and cutting content 30:00 Content vs. delivery (“the container”) 33:00 Avoiding overly abstract preaching 36:00 Testimony and authenticity in preaching 38:00 Authority vs. humility 44:00 What makes preaching Wesleyan 47:00 The Holy Spirit and the power of a sermon MENTIONS Preaching — Tim Keller Preaching from the Soul — Ellsworth Kalas The Witness of Preaching — Thomas G. Long Novel Preaching — Alyce McKenzie Preaching with Empathy — Len Luchetti ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary.

Leadership for a New Generation | Dr. David Gyertson | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 31

What sustains leaders through the hardest seasons—and why do so many fail to finish well? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Dr. David Gyertson (Affiliate Professor of Leadership Formation and Renewal and Distinguished Leader in Residence at Asbury Theological Seminary) for a deeply personal and practical conversation on calling, leadership, and character formation. From a powerful story of coming to faith to decades of leadership in Christian higher education and broadcasting, Dr. Gyertson shares wisdom shaped through real-life challenges, mentoring, and ministry.  Dr. Gyertson emphasizes that leadership failure is rarely about ability—it is most often about character and motivation. He challenges leaders to continually ask, “Why am I doing this?” and to cultivate a deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.  Drawing from Scripture, he offers a compelling vision of leadership shaped through humility, refinement, and perseverance in difficult seasons. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction to Dr. David Gyertson 1:30 Early life and coming to faith 6:00 Calling and theological formation 8:00 Christian broadcasting and leadership journey 12:00 Why Christian higher education matters 15:00 Challenges facing Christian institutions today 18:00 Leadership pressure and cultural fragmentation 22:00 Leading through difficulty and “Gethsemane” moments 25:00 Character vs. Competency in leadership 29:00 Advice for leaders in hard seasons 34:00 Spiritual formation: heart + mind 39:00 Why leaders fail—and how to endure 51:00 Final encouragement for leaders 🔗 ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary.

Faith and Fire with Watson & Watson | Dr. Kevin Watson | It's Elementary Ep. 30

What does it mean to be truly Methodist—and why does it matter today? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone sit down with Dr. Kevin Watson (Associate Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary and Senior Director of Christian Formation at Asbury Church, Tulsa) for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on Methodism, revival, and the future of the Church. This episode centers on their new book, Faith and Fire, which explores how the Wesleyan tradition can recover its identity and power amid change and uncertainty in Methodism. Drs. Watson unpack how early Methodism combined doctrine, spiritual power, and disciplined community, forming a movement marked by real transformation in the lives of ordinary people.  They also discuss why recovering historic practices like class meetings is essential for renewal—and how revival is not just something in the past, but something God is still doing today.  ⏱️ KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction to Dr. Kevin Watson 2:00 The story behind Faith and Fire 5:00 Methodism and identity crisis 8:00 What defines Methodist theology 12:00 Entire sanctification and holy living 14:00 Class meetings vs. band meetings 18:00 Recovering Methodist practices 20:00 “Audacious optimism” and grace 26:00 Misquotes of John Wesley 30:00 Practicing the faith (ordinances of God) 33:00 Seminary and local church leadership 39:00 Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline 48:00 Revival through transformed lives 📚 MENTIONS Faith and Fire — David Watson & Kevin Watson (https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Fire-Methodism-Move-God-ebook/dp/B0GL8Q3NC7) Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline — Kevin Watson “Thoughts Upon Methodism” — John Wesley 🔗 ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary.

Stewarding the Flames of Revival | Robin Lim | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 29

How can faith move beyond the church into the marketplace, and what happens when revival touches everyday life? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone sits down with Robin Lim (an Asbury Theological Seminary alumnus and professor at Asbury University) to explore calling, revival, and what it means to live an integrated life of faith. This conversation dives deep into: -Moving from a divided life to whole-life discipleship -Faith in the marketplace and business as ministry -The journey from global banking to seminary formation -The Asbury Outpouring of 2023 and firsthand reflections -Revival as both a moment and a lifelong calling Robin shares how his life shifted from a “Batman-like” split between career and faith into a fully integrated calling shaped through community, prayer, and theological formation. Reflecting on the Asbury Outpouring, he highlights how ordinary faithfulness and years of prayer led to a global movement marked by humility, unity, and hunger for God.  This episode also explores the difference between revival as an event and revival as a lifestyle, calling believers to embrace a “widened life”—where faith shapes every sphere, from family to work to society. If you're interested in calling, revival, spiritual formation, or faith in the marketplace, this episode offers powerful, practical insights. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 From banking to calling 3:00 The “Batman” problem—divided life vs whole-life faith 8:00 Coming to Asbury and spiritual formation 13:00 Prayer, community, and revival hunger 20:00 The Asbury Outpouring begins 27:00 From local move to global impact 34:00 Revival: moment vs lifelong formation 37:00 Faith in the marketplace 42:00 Discipleship beyond the church 47:00 Global impact of Asbury MENTIONS Asbury Outpouring (2023) https://asbury.edu/outpouring/ Asbury Revival (1970) https://asbury.edu/about/outpouring/1970-revival/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS 🎧 Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts 🌐 Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Worship, Community and the Triune God | Rev. Dr. Alan Torrance | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 28

What is Christian theology really about—and how do we actually know God? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Rev. Dr. Alan Torrance (Professor Emeritus, University of St. Andrews) to explore some of the most important questions in Christian theology, faith, and knowledge of God. This conversation dives deep into: -The Trinity and Christian life -How we come to believe that Jesus is Lord -The difference between belief in God vs. saving faith -Why theology must shape real life, politics, and suffering -The role of forgiveness and reconciliation in society Dr. Torrance explains why Christian faith is not just about arguments—but about a transformative encounter with the living God through the Holy Spirit. This episode also explores analytic theology, properly basic belief (Alvin Plantinga), and the relationship between truth, justice, and forgiveness. If you're interested in systematic theology, apologetics, philosophy of religion, or spiritual formation, this episode offers rich, practical insights. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction to Alan Torrance 2:00 Theology and real-world impact 6:00 Political theology and the lordship of Christ 10:00 The Trinity and communion with God 16:00 How we know Jesus is Lord (faith vs reason) 21:00 Analytic theology explained 35:00 Forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation 40:00 Truth & Reconciliation Commission (South Africa) 53:00 Advice for young theologians MENTIONS Persons in Communion — Alan Torrance Country of My Skull — Antjie Krog Advice for Christian Philosophers — Alvin Plantinga ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.