One of the most common criticisms of preaching is that it not relevant to the lives of the people listening. One rather sarcastic comment says that, “Theologians spend their time trying
to answer questions that no one is asking.” To be relevant, our preaching must address the needs and concerns of the people listening.

The basic needs of people are very similar, wherever we are ministering. Of course, there are many important cultural differences, but these are often secondary to the fundamental needs and concerns of each individual, which are shared by people from every culture.

I have listed below a variety of the most common concerns people have. This is certainly not designed to be an exhaustive list, but merely some ideas to set you thinking.

If you preach on one of these concerns, and give helpful answers based on the Word of God, you will find that many of your congregation will benefit and be grateful for your message. Most of these concerns are particularly relevant to Christians, helping and encouraging them in their walk with God, as they aim to live all their lives before him. However, many of these needs can also be addressed in an evangelistic message, to give answers to non-believers who are seeking answers to their questions.

For each issue in people’s lives, the aim of preaching is to show them that the ultimate answers are to be found through faith in God, true wisdom is to be found in the Bible, and healing and restoration is available through the work of Jesus on the cross.

I have divided the concerns into four major groups, with several categories within each, although many topics can fit in more than one group.

Internal or personal concerns

These are some issues and concerns that people have in their private inner life of thoughts and feelings.

1. Self-esteem

   Having a negative self-image
   Feeling that you have no value or purpose
   Feeling unloved
   Loneliness

2. Damaged emotions

   Broken relationships
   Unforgiveness
   Bitterness and resentment
   Condemnation
   Anger
   Depression

3. Temptation

   Sexual
   Financial

4. Insecurity

   Worry
   Fear
   Self-doubt

5. Decision making

   Finding our destiny in Christ
   How to find God’s plan for your life
   Finding the right person to marry
   Finding the right job

6. Intimacy with God

   Practical teaching on Christian devotions, showing the benefits to a person’s spiritual life,

   bringing exhortation without condemnation. This needs to be very practical, including a step-

   by-step “how to”.

   How to read the bible
   How to pray
   How to have an effective quiet time
   How to share your faith through personal evangelism

External Concerns

These are everyday pressures on people from their external world, including family, work, church and friends.

1. Money

   Debt
   Increasing cost of living
   Budgeting

2. Family relationships

   Husband / wives
   Children / parents
   In-laws
   Broken family

3. Other relationships

   Church relationships
   Workplace colleagues
   Friends

4. Expectations

   From other people
   From yourself
   Imaginary - what you think other people are thinking (but are probably not!)

5. Busy-ness

   Finding enough time to do everything

6. Work

   Being a witness in the work-place
   Working by godly standards in the work-place

Global trends and concerns

   These are the issues we read about in the news. People want to find Christian answers to the

   pressing issues of the day.

1. Environment

   Global warming and climate change
   Pollution
   Shortages of natural resources

2. Injustice

   Third world poverty
   Rich and poor
   People trafficking, modern day slavery

3. War and global conflict

   Wherever the latest conflict is taking place
   Terrorism

4. Natural disasters

   How can an all-powerful loving God allow these things to happen?

5. Current moral issues in society

   Abortion
   Euthanasia
   Embyro and stem cell research
   Genetically modified crops

Questions about our faith

Addressing the big questions about the Christian faith, both to strengthen the believers, and to give them answers for unbelievers.

1. General

   Does the Christian faith make intellectual sense?
   How do we relate to other religions and belief systems?
   How can we be sure that the Bible is true?
   Why do have these sixty-six books, and not others?
   Be prepared to give an answer to the latest book or film which challenges the truth of

   Christianity or the character of God.

2. Science and the Bible

   Creation and evolution
   Can we believe the first eleven chapters of Genesis?

3. Understanding other religions and belief systems

   Islam
   Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons
   New Age
   Post-modernism

4. Difficult questions

   Is Jesus the only way to God?
   What about those who have never heard the Gospel?
   What about all the suffering in the world?