Olive Tree Blog
Bible Study Tips

Studying With Sermons

Sermons Olive Tree

We toss around that word “enhanced” a lot, and thought we should clarify. Have you heard us talk about our enhanced sermons? We have those! And we have them because we believe there is a lot to be learned by studying with sermons.

WHAT ARE ENHANCED SERMONS?

Inside sermons, there are scripture references (at least… we hope there would be scripture references!). When we receive an eBook version of a sermon from a publisher, it contains normal text. When we want to enhance a sermon, our lovely formatting team finds the scripture references and adds hyperlinks! This will allow you to tap on the reference and open a pop-up window, reading the verse without leaving your eBook.

This feature also works the other way around! While you’re reading the Bible, open the Resource Guide and look under “Sermons”. If any of your enhanced sermons reference the passage of scripture, it will appear here!

What does this look like? Here’s some screenshots.

ONE: GO TO SERMONS

Studying with Sermons 1

TWO: CHOOSE A SERMON

Studying with Sermons 2

THREE: TAP A VERSE

Studying with Sermons 3

FOUR: READ SCRIPTURE + OPEN RESOURCE GUIDE

Studying with Sermons 4

WHY STUDY WITH SERMONS?

So, now you know how sermons work in the app. But why do we think sermons make great Bible study resources? Here are three reasons.

YOU WANT HELP INTERPRETING AND APPLYING SCRIPTURE

Obviously, all Bible resources help you in your understanding of Scripture. But, as you’ve all experienced on Sundays, there is something about a sermon that can help you line things up. Sermons take all the necessary details and research into account, providing you with accurate yet relatable commentary. You can connect with what is being said, because it is being said out of experience of talking directly to people, teaching the average Christian about the Bible.

You’re sure to get great insight and application.

YOU WANT A NEW PERSPECTIVE

We have sermons from preachers who are still alive and ones who have been long gone. By choosing to read sermons from various preachers, you are giving yourself the opportunity to see Scripture from a new perspective: whether that be from a different century, culture, or denomination.

YOU’RE PREPPING YOUR OWN SERMON

Are you preparing to give a sermon? Sometimes, sermons come together easily, and sometimes… not so much. Especially if you are preaching the required text from the lectionary, it can leave you feeling less than creative. But, if you find someone else’s sermon, it may spark some ideas in you. Of course, we don’t recommend plagiarizing the sermon. But if you decide to use another preacher’s illustration or application points, give them a shoutout in your sermon! Maybe your listener’s will start studying the sermons on their own.

GET YOUR OWN!

We have plenty of enhanced sermons! Here are some titles that we are really excited about:

  1. Spurgeon’s Sermons, The Complete Set (63 Vols.)
  2. Men and Women of the Old Testament
  3. Able to the Uttermost
  4. London, 1933-35
  5. The Young Bonhoeffer: 1918-1927
  6. Berlin, 1932-33
  7. Theological Education at Finkenwalde: 1935-1937
  8. J.B. Chapman Writings

Want to see them all? Head on over to our website to view all of the sermons in our store. We’ve even got some discounts happening!

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7 Comments

  1. James Farrah

    Is there a way to create a reading plan from saved passages?

    I created a saved passages category and would like to scroll through those passages without having to go back and forth between the category and selected scriptures.

    Ideally I would like to chose the category I created and then scroll or flip through the various passages in that category.

    For example, I create the category “Promises” and assign the following verses: ps 23:6, rom 8:32, ps 84:11, jn 15:16, phil 1:6.
    I would then like a way I can flip or scroll through these verses.

    • Cierra Klatt

      James, that’s a great idea! At this time, we don’t have the functionality for users to create their own reading plans. But we’ll keep this in mind, since we are always looking for ways to improve!

  2. howard diehl

    I can’t seem to find the sermon feature on the PC version of the app. any help?

    • Cierra Klatt

      Hey, Howard! Here’s a couple more tips. First, make sure you do own a sermon title! You can see these by going to your library and looking by categories. Second, make sure that you have the sermon tab enabled in the Resource Guide. If you have any other difficulties or questions, please email support@olivetree.com! They will be able to assist you.

  3. Ruben

    Greetings! Is there a way to create an actual sermon within the app? For example, instead of having my message/sermon notes on another doc to reference side by side with the Bible app, the notes would be on the Bible app itself. (Not as individual notes, but ongoing to match with a chapter.)

    • Cierra Klatt

      Hey, Ruben! I’m not completely sure what you are looking for, but here is my suggestion! If you go into the main menu and access the notes feature, you can create new categories and notes there. I would make a category for sermons, and individual notes inside of that. When you put a reference in your notes, it will hyperlink you to the passage! You can also create a note by selecting a part of scripture, and selecting “note”. If you visit our YouTube page, we have several help videos!