I use Logos Bible Software extensively every day. It is one of the programs I keep open constantly, so I can use it quickly and easily. I’m delighted that we’re able to give away a Logos 9 Silver base package for this year’s Bible reading challenge. One of my favorite things with the software is how it helps me teach the Bible.
By “help me teach the Bible,” I’m not referring to the study or preparation for teaching, though Logos also has much to offer in that realm. What I’m referring to here is the act of teaching. Logos offers a few features that provide the notes I take into any sermon, class, or Bible study.
Sermon Builder
The first tool is the Sermon Builder, which is essentially a word processor for Bible teachers. I write all of my sermons with it, and I prepare class notes or small group leader’s notes with it. The Logos Sermon Builder doesn’t quite have as much functionality as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but it was fully designed with Bible teachers in mind. And for that reason, it is the best word processor I have ever used for sermons.
Here’s how Sermon Builder helps me to write my sermons or teaching notes:
- I can tag any text as a “prompt,” which formats it in a way that stands out. My “prompts” are instructions to myself for when I speak. They could include time markers, reminders to speak more loudly or quietly, or notes for transitioning to the next presenter after me.
- I can insert any Bible text right into my notes by simply typing the reference (such as “Matt 2:1-21) and hitting enter. Then the full text of the passage magically appears.
- I can similarly insert quotations from other resources in my Logos library, and Logos will automatically footnote the source for me, should I need it later.
- As I type my script, a counter at the top of the screen tells me how much time it will take to preach or teach this script. I do enough ad libbing that the number is never completely accurate, but I have learned how to adjust the automatic figure to give me a realistic sense of the timing. This helps me to make sure I’m pacing my material to fit within the time I have to teach it.
- Any thing I format as a heading gets automatically sent to the sermon outline, which I can later export or grab as needed for printing on handouts.
- All headings and Scripture texts get automatically sent to a slide presentation, which can be used to accompany the sermon or class.
Sermon Builder helps not only with the word processing, but also with the presentation itself:
- The manuscript is automatically saved to my Faithlife account on the cloud, so it is backed up there and I can access it from any device. So I type the script on my laptop, but can preach it (or lead a small group) right from my iPad by simply opening it up there.
- I can go into “presentation mode,” which cuts out any clutter in the layout and provides a timer right on the screen.
Sermon Manager
The other tool is the Sermon Manager, which provides a one-stop shop for organizing all of my teaching.
I don’t yet use the Sermon Manager to its full extent, but I benefit most from the following:
- I can take a look at which sermons I have preached based on the venue, calendar, or text.
- I can track when I’ve taught the same passage in multiple venues.
- I can access my entire library of teaching notes, in case I need to refer to something on short notice.
- I can map out an upcoming series, and create templates to help me save time when I’m ready to draft my notes.
Conclusion
These tools provide another reason why I have come to depend so heavily on Logos Bible Software. And the truly wonderful thing is that these marvelous tools just keep getting better and better. New features are constantly being added to program updates. If you have been considering making use of Logos 9, perhaps this year’s Bible reading challenge could be your opportunity to acquire it.
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