Pen to Pulpit

Helping preachers move from preparation to proclamation

Clears the current draft (including timers) and takes you back to Step 1.Not saved yet

[Step 1: Text]

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Translation: ESV

Scripture Reference *

Paste Passage (ESV) *

I have entered the text (ESV).

[Step 1b: Personal Reflection — Before Study]

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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 1b 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 1b:

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

[Step 1c: 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.

Step 1c is locked until Step 1b 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 Step 1c:

Complete Step 1b first.
Start the 10-minute timer.
Timer must finish (10:00 → 0:00).
Write at least 30 words (prayer substance).

[Step 2: Observations (50)]

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Make 50 observations across the categories below. Each observation requires a minimum of 10 words (enforced by category totals).

Step 2 is locked until Step 1c is complete.

Historical Context — 5 observations

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

Category requirement: 50 words total across these 5 boxes. Need 50 more words.

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Word Studies — 6 observations

0/60 words

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

Category requirement: 60 words total across these 6 boxes. Need 60 more words.

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Syntax / Exegesis — 6 observations

0/60 words

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

Category requirement: 60 words total across these 6 boxes. Need 60 more words.

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Literary Genre — 4 observations

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

Category requirement: 40 words total across these 4 boxes. Need 40 more words.

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Literary Unit — 4 observations

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

Category requirement: 40 words total across these 4 boxes. Need 40 more words.

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Intertextuality — 5 observations

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

Category requirement: 50 words total across these 5 boxes. Need 50 more words.

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Authorial Intent / Theme — 10 observations

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

Category requirement: 100 words total across these 10 boxes. Need 100 more words.

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Application — 5 observations

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

Category requirement: 50 words total across these 5 boxes. Need 50 more words.

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Outline — 5 observations

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

Category requirement: 50 words total across these 5 boxes. Need 50 more words.

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[Export: Observations]

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This copies your observations as a separate export (not part of the manuscript export).

Observations export is locked until Step 2 is complete.

Observations word count: 70

Observations preview (this is what gets copied)

[Reference]

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[Word Studies]
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[Literary Genre]
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[Literary Unit]
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[Intertextuality]
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[Authorial Intent / Theme]
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[Outline]
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[Step 3: Commentators]

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

Step 3 is locked until Step 2 is complete.

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

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I have considered differing views and stated where I land.

To complete Step 3:

Complete Step 2 first.
Commentators: minimum 100 words required.
Confirm you considered differing views and stated where you land.

[Step 4: Structure & Flow]

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Build the sermon’s structure from the text’s logic: proposition, outline, and movement of the passage.

Step 4 is locked until Step 3 is complete.

Big Idea / Proposition (min 50 words) *

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Sermon Outline / Main Points (min 50 words) *

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

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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.

How many headings are in your outline? *

(creates Heading 1…Heading N)

To complete Step 4:

Complete Step 3 first.
Big Idea: minimum 50 words required.
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?

[Step 5: Head–Heart–Hands]

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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.

Step 5 is locked until Step 4 is complete.

Head (min 50 words) *

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Heart (min 50 words) *

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Hands (min 50 words) *

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

To complete Step 5:

Complete Step 4 first.
Head: minimum 50 words required.
Heart: minimum 50 words required.
Hands: minimum 50 words required.
Confirm these are concrete, pastoral, and aimed at real people.

[Step 6: Conclusion]

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Write the conclusion next: summarize the main argument, press the aim, call for faith/repentance/obedience, and end with Christ. Minimum 300 words.

Step 6 is locked until Step 5 is complete.

Conclusion (min 300 words) *

Word count: 0 / 300

This conclusion lands the plane and presses the main aim.

To complete Step 6:

Complete Step 5 first.
Conclusion: minimum 300 words required.
Confirm the conclusion lands the plane and presses the main aim.

[Step 7: Transitions]

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Write quick transitions (1–3 sentences). Minimum 20 words each.

Step 7 is locked until Step 6 is complete.

Include a final transition from the last heading into the conclusion.

(expected: 1 total)

These transitions are brief, clear, and keep momentum.

To complete Step 7:

Complete Step 6 first.
Click “Generate transitions” to match your headings.
Confirm transitions are brief, clear, and keep momentum.

[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.

[Step 8b: Prayer — After Introduction (10 minutes)]

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

Step 8b 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 Step 8b:

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: Pulpit Notes]

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Do this AFTER the manuscript is finished. Convert the manuscript into pulpit notes: tighten sentences, add delivery cues, mark transitions, simplify long lines, and format for speaking.

Step 9 is locked until Step 8b is complete.

I have created pulpit notes from the completed manuscript (with delivery cues).

To complete Step 9:

Complete Step 8b first.
Confirm pulpit notes were created after the manuscript.

[Step 10: Personal Reflection — After Manuscript]

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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 10 is locked until Step 9 is complete.

Personal reflection (min 200 words) *

Word count: 0 / 200

I reflected personally and specifically (not generic).

To complete Step 10:

Complete Step 9 first.
Ending reflection: minimum 200 words required.
Confirm you reflected personally and specifically (not generic).

[Export: Manuscript]

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

Export is locked until Step 10 is complete.

Export word count: 7

Export preview (this is what gets copied)

[Reference]

[Introduction]


[Conclusion]


[Head–Heart–Hands]
[Head]


[Heart]


[Hands]