Using Mind Maps in Sermon Prep [tutorial]

76 Comments 25 August 2010

In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how I use mind mapping software to assist me as I prepare a sermon. I’m not trying to suggest this is the best way or the only way to prepare a sermon. It’s just how I do it.

(TIP: You’re probably going to want to watch this at full screen to see as much of the map as you can.)

LINKS:
Mindjet Mindmanager (Free Trial)
Xmind

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Author

Tony McCollum

Tony McCollum - who has written 267 posts on PastorGear.com.

I've been a senior pastor for over twenty years and a techie for longer than that. My first computer was a TRS-80. How's that for tech cred? You can follow me on twitter at @tonymccollum.

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http://twitter.com/tonymccollum tonymccollum

@RobertPooley I draft my sermons in a mind map. Then, I export to Word and then convert to Pages on the iPad. http://bit.ly/cG8wfB
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
stephen

Hey Tony, This is a neat program! thanks for describing this to us!
I use a program for diagramming I got for $35 on ebay – an old program called Microsoft Visio. The mind-program you’re using looks really involved and probably has good task-specific tools, but for those who just want to diagram, even powerpoint can be useful…
stephen

Hey Tony, This is a neat program! thanks for describing this to us!
I use a program for diagramming I got for $35 on ebay – an old program called Microsoft Visio. The mind-program you’re using looks really involved and probably has good task-specific tools, but for those who just want to diagram, even powerpoint can be useful…
http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Hi Stephen. Yes, I’ve used Visio and PowerPoint before but I promise you that mind maps are infinitely better in every way. Install one of the programs I mentioned and check it out. I think you’ll agree.
http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Hi Stephen. Yes, I’ve used Visio and PowerPoint before but I promise you that mind maps are infinitely better in every way. Install one of the programs I mentioned and check it out. I think you’ll agree.
http://www.faithengineer.com Mike

Great post. I have played around with mindmaps, but I have not started using them in my sermon prep. This gives me some good ideas. I think I’ll give it another try. I would also love to see a screencast on taking your mindmap and getting it into a format to preach from.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Mike, try it and let me know what you think. I’ll definitely do another screencast.

http://www.faithengineer.com Mike

Tony, I posted my experience this week over on my blog at http://www.faithengineer.com/2010/09/outlines-and-mindmaps.html
Thanks again for the motivation to give it another try.

http://www.faithengineer.com Mike

Great post. I have played around with mindmaps, but I have not started using them in my sermon prep. This gives me some good ideas. I think I’ll give it another try. I would also love to see a screencast on taking your mindmap and getting it into a format to preach from.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Mike, try it and let me know what you think. I’ll definitely do another screencast.

http://www.faithengineer.com Mike

Tony, I posted my experience this week over on my blog at http://www.faithengineer.com/2010/09/outlines-and-mindmaps.html
Thanks again for the motivation to give it another try.

Thom Reagan

I agree with the others Tony, Great post! I’ve been one who has kept scraps of paper with chicken scratches all over them with arrows, underlines, etc. on front and back. I love being able to put thoughts together and be able to find and use them!

Thanks for walking me through the process Tony! Just downloaded XMind to put together thoughts for my next sermon series!

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Thom, let me know how it works for you. Glad you enjoyed the screencast.

Thom Reagan

Tony, I’ve been playing with XMind for a couple of days now and LOVE the organization for sermon prep! I will be beginning a new sermon series soon. In XMind, I was able to use the first sheet (page, like in excel) to map out a rough outline of where I am headed in the series, which scriptures I will use and rough in main thoughts for each sermon. I’ve then assigned a sheet for each sermon that is more detailed and specific. Now, I can cut and paste from page to page and have all my info/notes together in 1 file in My Documents! I love it!

Tony, this one was a homerun for me, thanks!

Thom Reagan

I agree with the others Tony, Great post! I’ve been one who has kept scraps of paper with chicken scratches all over them with arrows, underlines, etc. on front and back. I love being able to put thoughts together and be able to find and use them!

Thanks for walking me through the process Tony! Just downloaded XMind to put together thoughts for my next sermon series!

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Thom, let me know how it works for you. Glad you enjoyed the screencast.

Thom Reagan

Tony, I’ve been playing with XMind for a couple of days now and LOVE the organization for sermon prep! I will be beginning a new sermon series soon. In XMind, I was able to use the first sheet (page, like in excel) to map out a rough outline of where I am headed in the series, which scriptures I will use and rough in main thoughts for each sermon. I’ve then assigned a sheet for each sermon that is more detailed and specific. Now, I can cut and paste from page to page and have all my info/notes together in 1 file in My Documents! I love it!

Tony, this one was a homerun for me, thanks!

http://carlthomas.net Carl Thomas

Yeah, can you do a post on how you go from mindmap to Word.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Carl, I’ll definitely do another screencast about that.

http://carlthomas.net Carl Thomas

Yeah, can you do a post on how you go from mindmap to Word.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Carl, I’ll definitely do another screencast about that.

http://twitter.com/00MindMapper 00MindMapper

Using Mind Maps in Sermon Prep [tutorial] | PastorGear.com http://bit.ly/duYPxI
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Doug Dale

This was very helpful! I’ve been curious about using mind maps for a while, but had not seen an example of practical usage. This was valuable. I would like to see your follow up describing how you move from this to the document you preach from.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

I’m so glad you found it helpful, Dale. Stay tuned for the next screencast.

Doug Dale

This was very helpful! I’ve been curious about using mind maps for a while, but had not seen an example of practical usage. This was valuable. I would like to see your follow up describing how you move from this to the document you preach from.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

I’m so glad you found it helpful, Dale. Stay tuned for the next screencast.

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Great video Tony… I think when you give a long intro next time you should use photobooth or something as a camera…

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Of course photobooth is a native mac application..

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Pat, I actually recorded the screencast on my macbook pro.

I know what you mean about the long intro. I had no idea the intro was going to be that long. Next time I’ll put something up there while I’m talking.

Hope you enjoyed the screencast!

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Running XP?
The intro was great! Just need to see some a pastor gear mug up there!

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Yeah, I was Mindmanager in Parallels.

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Great video Tony… I think when you give a long intro next time you should use photobooth or something as a camera…

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Of course photobooth is a native mac application..

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Pat, I actually recorded the screencast on my macbook pro.

I know what you mean about the long intro. I had no idea the intro was going to be that long. Next time I’ll put something up there while I’m talking.

Hope you enjoyed the screencast!

http://www.patgillen.net Pat Gillen

Running XP?
The intro was great! Just need to see some a pastor gear mug up there!

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Yeah, I was Mindmanager in Parallels.

http://www.uabcwynne.com Andy Price

Can’t see video? Do I need to install something?

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Andy, I’m not sure. Are you seeing anything?

http://www.uabcwynne.com Andy Price

No sir, just white where the video should be. I’m downloading the XMind to give it a shot. I’ve never used anything like this but it seems very interesting. It may be my Bsafe software blocking it. I’ll have to call my accountability partner and have him add your website to a list of accepetable sites. Thanks for replying.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

What browser are you using?

http://www.uabcwynne.com Andy Price

Can’t see video? Do I need to install something?

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Andy, I’m not sure. Are you seeing anything?

http://www.uabcwynne.com Andy Price

No sir, just white where the video should be. I’m downloading the XMind to give it a shot. I’ve never used anything like this but it seems very interesting. It may be my Bsafe software blocking it. I’ll have to call my accountability partner and have him add your website to a list of accepetable sites. Thanks for replying.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

What browser are you using?

http://twitter.com/barkingminds barkingminds

A great tutorial on using mindmaps in sermon prep, by @tonymccollum. The use cases just keep comin’! http://bit.ly/9I3VOk
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Cory McDonald

Great video Tony. Thanks for posting it. I’ve never used this to prepare sermons, but I’m going to give it a try. I was wondering if you could send me your layout? Thank you sir and again thanks for posting the tutorial it’s appreciated.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Hi Cory. Glad you liked the video. What do you mean by layout? I’ll certainly help you if I can.

Cory McDonald

Great video Tony. Thanks for posting it. I’ve never used this to prepare sermons, but I’m going to give it a try. I was wondering if you could send me your layout? Thank you sir and again thanks for posting the tutorial it’s appreciated.

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Hi Cory. Glad you liked the video. What do you mean by layout? I’ll certainly help you if I can.

Cory McDonald

In the video you said if we wanted a copy of your layout you’d send it to us or post it or something.
Cory McDonald

In the video you said if we wanted a copy of your layout you’d send it to us or post it or something.
http://twitter.com/mwilburn mwilburn

Check out this tutorial on mind mapping in sermon preparation. I’m going to give it a shot this week. – http://bit.ly/cG8wfB
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Carl Franzon

I think what Tony is looking for is if you could post or share the MindManager file; actually having it on our own computer might help follow the screencast and also provide a template which we can modify to fit our own way of doing things.
This is great; I had been frustrated by my notes and trying to connect thoughts. I will be trying it out this week.
Carl Franzon

I think what Tony is looking for is if you could post or share the MindManager file; actually having it on our own computer might help follow the screencast and also provide a template which we can modify to fit our own way of doing things.
This is great; I had been frustrated by my notes and trying to connect thoughts. I will be trying it out this week.
Carl Franzon

Oops, I meant Cory, not Tony.
Carl Franzon

Oops, I meant Cory, not Tony.
http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Any of you guys want to share your mindmaps files here?
http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Any of you guys want to share your mindmaps files here?
http://www.destinationcc.com Lee Boyd

As a new preacher this is the kind if stuff that is invaluable and not shared by others. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.destinationcc.com Lee Boyd

As a new preacher this is the kind if stuff that is invaluable and not shared by others. Thanks for sharing.
steven

Thanks for the video!! Great resource, i’m using xmind to put together the bible study i teach on Wednesday night services.

Just like the other posters, I am anxiously awaiting your next video on how you transfer this to notes. (i have thought about teaching/preaching off of a printed mindmap though…)
steven

Thanks for the video!! Great resource, i’m using xmind to put together the bible study i teach on Wednesday night services.

Just like the other posters, I am anxiously awaiting your next video on how you transfer this to notes. (i have thought about teaching/preaching off of a printed mindmap though…)
Jeff

Thanks for the screencast, Tony. I’m looking forward to experimenting with mindmaps for sermon prep. Jeff
Jeff

Thanks for the screencast, Tony. I’m looking forward to experimenting with mindmaps for sermon prep. Jeff
Brian Tenny

I REALLY appreciate the time you took in this clip to cover the concept thoroughly – the idea is all new to me but I see how I can use it to develop message series for local pastors in Tanzania next summer – my trip #6. I’ve used full manuscript (a real problem with an interpreter!) and total ad-lib – hopefully this will enable me to develop a more coherent approach somewhere in between !
http://troysview.com Troy

I’m really looking forward to any info you have on how ‘you’ move from the mind-map to what you actually use during your sermon. I’m always concerned that I’ll somehow forget a few good points. Awesome stuff!
EdgarAllenPoe

I have used a couple open source programs to help with my mind mapping.

Freemind:
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Screenshots

Compendium:
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=KM
http://culturalawakening.wordpress.com Stan

I didn’t read all the comments, so I’m not sure if this one has already been mentioned. It’s an online version called, MindMeister. The basic version is free, but you can also step it up and pay for better options. I’ve used it to organize ministry teams, my core team, even the vision and plan for our campus. I haven’t used it for a lesson before. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for the video.

http://www.mindmeister.com/
http://www.stevevandeventer.nl steve

Hi Pastor Tony
I watched this video some months ago. I used Freemind some time and tried Buzans Imindmap.
Then looked a little sceptical at what U brought. Later I decided to try Mindjet

This really makes it much easier to get stuf organized – and readable. Thanks for the tip about UNUSED and NEXT WEEK.

My congregation appreciates PowerPoint to get the Layout and points with texts to copy.
Have you any suggestions on getting from Mindjet to Powerpoint ( I preach in Dutch working in Europe close to Amsterdam)
http://www.sabts.org Paula Ferris

Just stumbled across this from a colleague’s FB post. The Mind Map idea is completely new to me. After 30 years of preaching, I’m ready to try something new, mix it up. I’m a manuscript preacher and have been doing something similar to this via “cut and paste” for some time. This looks like it would release some creativity.

I’m looking forward to seeing how you move from this to the document or whatever that you actually preach from.

Thanks for sharing!
Garey

Tony,

I just found this tutorial and have to say thank you very much. I have been testing the waters, so to speak, with mind mapping for a while, but this has truly been a huge help. To see it in a video format was huge.

I am using iThoughtsHD on the iPad and find it easier to use than any of the PC/Mac based options.

Also, you had mentioned putting something out there on preaching from an iPad. I’d love to see/hear/read on how you’ve used your iPad for preaching.

Thanks Again and God Bless,
Garey
Pingback: Preaching and Mind Mapping Software | KevinPurcell.org
Kevin Metsinger

Loved it. I have been using paper for years doing this and someone told me of this web site and low and behold here is this fabulous article.
I can’t wait for the next step – I preach from an Ipad and love it.
Thanks again
Kevin

http://tonymccollum.com Tony McCollum

Glad you’re digging the site, Kevin. Welcome!

Houston

Love this post. Just started using Mindjet on my IPad. Would love to hear more about your preaching from the IPad…what software, techniques, etc.,
Gary

Would love to see these notes. Would you mind sharing them based on this mindmap. Thanks