Two polarizing approaches exist in preaching.

One is to preach sermons primarily to give information. These preachers encourage a paper Bible, note-taking, and some even provide their own notes, often with a few blanks to fill in to keep you engaged.

This style says that a sermon is only good if people leave knowing more.

The other approach to preaching is about making the listener feel something. These preachers use video, drama, object lessons, and music to create moods and emotions before, during, and after the sermon.

This style says that a sermon is only good if it makes people feel something.

I think a truly great sermon has both. You both learn and feel something while you listen. But I admit, sermons like that are rare.

Ask yourself, when you gather with other believers this weekend as a Church community, what do you hope to receive from the sermon? If you go hoping to learn and the emphasis is on making you feel something, then you will be disappointed and might think the sermon is shallow. If you go expecting to feel something and the emphasis is on learning, it might feel cold and impersonal.

Your expectations will influence your experience of what you hear.