FOR CHURCHGOERS who want to grow

Hearing a Sermon Without a Change Means Something's Missing

Jesus said that it's foolish to hear a sermon and do nothing with it
(Matthew 7:26)

See What Was Supposed to Happen After the Preacher Said "Amen"

Let me show you what's been missing after the preacher says, "Amen" we you go home. 

You've Been Faithful.  But Something Still Feels Missing.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalms 42:1

"The longer I'm in church, the more uncomfortable it is to admit that my spiritual growth feels slower than it should be."


You've been in church for years. Maybe decades.

You've heard hundreds of sermons. Powerful ones. Ones that stirred something deep in you on Sunday morning.

But here's the part that's hard to say out loud:

By Wednesday, the sermon has been forgotten about.

And you're not sure anything has really changed.  You don't even expect it

You love your church. You respect your pastor. You believe in the Word. And yet, if you're honest, your spiritual growth feels slower than it should be after all this time.

You're not weak in your faith. You're not failing. There's simply a step between hearing God's Word and actually becoming different. And most Christians were never taught what it is. Here's why that matters more than you think...


It Turns Out the Problem Wasn't the Message or the Messenger...  

...It's Always Been Something Else.

Church was designed to do something specific: plant the seed of God's Word in your heart. Your pastor has been faithful to that. The preaching has been real.

But a seed needs more than planting. It needs to be tended.

And the tending, the step that takes what you heard on Sunday and turns it into who you are by Friday, that step is one most believers were never taught.

It happens in the space between Amen and Monday morning.

Without a process for that space, even the best sermon fades. The conviction lifts. The insight disappears. And another week passes with good intentions but no lasting change.

That's not a faith problem. That's a missing-process problem.

The problem isn't that you're not hearing God's Word. The problem is that no one ever showed you what to do with it after you hear it.

...Until now.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth…
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

a word from the author

"I Noticed That Hearing the Preached Word Was Inspiring Them, But Not Motivating Them to Become More Like Christ"

Pastor John W. Woodall, Jr.
Indianapolis, Indiana

About Pastor John W. Woodall, Jr.

✦ Senior Pastor in Indianapolis with pastoral experience since 2010 in helping believers move from hearing God’s Word to living it.

✦ Holds an MBA and Law Degree, combining spiritual insight with a practical, structured approach to growth.

✦ Built The Village as a place for sincere believers to finally be taught how to listen to a sermon with a plan to incorporate every message from God into their lives..

✦ Creator of the Hearing & Becoming Series of guided sermon workbooks - designed to help Christians apply what they hear and experience real transformation.  The series includes:  
- Hearing & Becoming Series: The First Step,
- Hearing & Becoming: The Next Step and
- Hearing & Becoming: The Deeper Step.

To You, my fellow believer in Jesus, the Christ,

I'd like to share a burden I’ve carried for a long time.

I’ve stood behind the pulpit at South Calvary Missionary Baptist Church since 2010 and I've watched something I couldn’t ignore. I saw faithful people sitting under sound, Bible-based preaching - week after week, year after year - and I've seen them when they quietly wondered why they were still struggling with their ability to  carry out some of the fundamentals of the Christian faith.  Some people were still hard to love. Others were still hard to forgive.  And they still didn't feel much closer to being able to turn the other cheek.

These haven't been casual attendees. These have been committed believers - people who showed up early, brought their Bibles, stayed after to pray, and genuinely loved God and His Word. And yet… many of them still felt stuck.

If I asked them privately, they would say something like, “Pastor, I feel like I should be further along by now. I just don’t know why I’m not.  What am I doing wrong?”

And the truth is, I realized the problem wasn’t what THEY were doing wrong.  The problem is that I hadn't properly instructed them on what is supposed to happen when the sermon is over.

That’s why I built "The Village", a community of people who recognize that although the preached Word is God's personalize training plan for their own spiritual growth and development no one has ever taught them what to do with a sermon.  I never built it as something to sell, but as something I have come to see that God's people need.

If you’ve ever felt that tension… then The Village was built for you.

How This Book Can Help You Grow Stronger in Christ

  • Helps you turn Sunday’s sermon into fuel for actually living life as a new creature in Christ.
  • Gives you simple, guided steps so you don’t just hear the sermon - you actually process it for a changed life.
  • Walk you step-by-step to one clear action - so every sermon leads to real change, not just good intentions.
  • Helps you finally see real, lasting change - because you’re no longer just hearing the Word, you’re living it.

The 4-Sunday Money Back Guarantee

A $15.99 Book With a Money Back Guarantee?  Why?

Let me explain why by posing this question.  What if every Sunday hundreds or even thousands of Sunday morning worshipper began to grow stronger in their faith, more powerful in their witness and closer in their walk with the Lord?  Wouldn't that be an awe inspiring revival to witness?  

With Hearing & Becoming, that picture could actually become a reality, so I don't want to let the fear of losing $15.99 get in the way of someone giving it a try.  

So, it you use the Hearing & Becoming Workbook for 4 Sundays as it is laid out, I am absolutely convinced that it is impossible to follow this rhythm for four weeks and feel nothing.  If you don't feel more in-touch with how your preacher's Sunday morning sermon is guiding you to shape you life and if the sermons still feel general and impersonal, return the book for a full refund. Every cent.

No hoops. No explanations. No judgment.

Here is why I can be so confident.  When I was in high school I recognized that there were two groups of people:  the show-upers and the studiers.  The "Show-Upers" just showed up to class everyday - they were present.  But the Studiers studied for class everyday.  And the studiers always did better academically.  Our traditional worship practice has essentially been about showing up.  But Hearing & Becoming is making you a studier.  It just works. I've seen it work. I've been told that it works. And now you know why it works.

Your only risk right now is staying stuck.

More about

Introducing the Hearing & Becoming Rhythm

The 4-step weekly rhythm most churchgoing Christians were never shown.

The Hearing & Becoming Workbook is built around a simple, 4-step weekly rhythm that changes everything about how a sermon shapes your life.

1

PREPARE

Arrive at Sunday service ready to receive. One short prompt in the workbook shifts you from passive attendee to active listener.

2

LISTEN

Hear what God is saying specifically to YOU in the sermon. Not to the congregation. ...To you. The workbook trains you to recognize the personal message inside the preached Word.

3

REFLECT

After the service, spend a few moments with the guided prompts. Process what you heard. Capture what struck you. Name the specific thing God said to you today.

4

ACT

Identify ONE clear action for the week ahead. Not a resolution. A specific, doable step. One thing. By Friday, you'll have lived it, not just heard it.

That's it. Four steps. One workbook. Every Sunday.

Allow Me to Show You How and Why the Hearing & Becoming Rhythm Works So Well?

FREE EXPLANATION VIDEOS

These few moments of teaching can lead to new life in your spiritual growth

I've developed a completely free series of short videos that do a great job of explaining everything you need to understand that this the missing piece that we haven't been taught.  I'd be glad to send them to you.  Just let me know your email address.

After years of hearing the truth, you'll finally know what to DO with it.

what people say

Hear It from People Who Were Sitting Right Where You Are

"I didn't know how much I was missing until I started using the Hearing & Becoming workbook. I've been attending church for over 20 years, and this is the first time I've had a real way to carry the sermon with me into the week. I love it."

THERESA G.

Youth Ministry Director

"Each week it prompts me to slow down and actually reflect on what God was saying to me, not just what the pastor said to everyone. That distinction changed everything for me."

PATRICIA V.

New Member Coordinator

"The Hearing & Becoming Workbook has taught me to listen with intention. I recognize now how God is speaking directly to me in the sermon, not just the general message. My growth in the last 3 months has been more real than in years."

OPHELIA B.

Pastoral Secretary

Just one more step

Simple Enough to Start This Sunday

SATURDAY NIGHT

Set Your Expectation

Before you ever step into the sanctuary, take a few quiet minutes to prepare your heart.
This simple prompt helps you shift from routine attendance to intentional expectation - so you’re not just going to church… you’re going to hear from God.

10 MINUTES

SUNDAY MORNING

Listen With Purpose

Walk into service ready - not distracted, not passive.  With guided prompts, you’ll capture what matters most, stay engaged throughout the message, and recognize exactly what God is saying to you in real time.

20-30 MINUTES

MONDAY OR TUESDAY

Reflect Until It’s Clear

Most people forget the sermon by now - but not you. This step helps you slow down, revisit what you heard, and uncover the one truth God wants you to carry forward - before life crowds it out.

15 MINUTES

BY WEDNESDAY

Take One Real Step

This is where transformation actually happens. You’ll identify one clear, doable action - and follow through - so the sermon doesn’t just inspire you… it changes you.

15 MINUTES

What Changes When You Finally Have the Missing Step

Tied to YOUR Sermon, Not a Separate Curriculum

Hearing & Becoming works with whatever your pastor is preaching because God speaks to you through the sermon. Nothing extra to study. Just your Sunday service, taken deeper.

Captures What GOD Said to You, Not Just the General Message

The sermon speaks to everyone in the sanctuary, but the Lord invited you for a particular reason.  Your job is to listen carefully to discover what He is saying to you.

One Actionable Step, Not a Resolution That Fades

Every sermon study closes with a commitment to one specific, achievable next step. This is to live out the heart of James 1 where we are told to be doers of the Word and not hearers only,

Never Again Walk Away from Church Unchanged

That frustration, sitting in service, feeling stirred, and watching the feeling disappear by Monday, ends when you have a place to put what you heard.

Built for the Ordinary Believer, Not the Theology Student

No academic language. No complicated framework. Just clear prompts, guided space, and a rhythm that fits into your real Sunday.

Designed to Build Over Time

Each completed workbook page is a record of your spiritual journey. Week by week, you'll see your growth documented in your own handwriting, in a way that never happened before.

Some Frequently Asked Questions You Might Have

Why am I not growing spiritually even though I go to church every week?

Many believers faithfully attend church, listen to sermons, and even take notes - but still feel stuck. The issue is not a lack of exposure to God’s Word. It’s the absence of a consistent process for applying what you hear.

Spiritual growth doesn’t come from hearing alone - it comes from intentionally reflecting on the message and taking action during the week. Without that step, even powerful sermons can fade by midweek.

That’s why developing a simple rhythm after the sermon is essential if you truly want to grow.

How can I actually apply sermons to my daily life?

Applying a sermon starts with slowing down and revisiting what you heard. Instead of moving on after Sunday, take time to reflect on the key message, identify what God is saying to you personally, and choose one clear action step.

The goal is not to remember everything - it’s to live out something.

A structured approach that guides you from hearing to action can make this process simple and consistent, helping sermons become part of your everyday life instead of a moment you experienced.

What is the best Christian workbook for spiritual growth?

The best Christian workbook for spiritual growth is one that helps you move beyond reading and into transformation. It should guide you to prepare your heart, engage deeply with Scripture, reflect personally, and take practical action.

Many resources provide information, but fewer help you build a habit of living out what you learn.

A workbook designed around a weekly rhythm—before, during, and after the sermon—can help bridge the gap between hearing God’s Word and becoming who He is calling you to be.

What is a Christian discipleship workbook and how does it help?

A Christian discipleship workbook is a tool designed to help believers grow intentionally in their walk with Christ. Rather than passively consuming teaching, it guides you through a process of understanding, reflection, and obedience.

Discipleship is not just about knowledge—it’s about transformation. A good workbook helps you develop habits that reinforce spiritual growth week after week, making your faith active and lived out in real life.

How do I grow spiritually as a Christian in a practical way?

Spiritual growth becomes practical when it becomes consistent. Instead of relying on occasional inspiration, growth happens through small, repeated steps—hearing God’s Word, reflecting on it, and applying it.

You don’t need a complicated system. You need a simple, repeatable process that helps you stay engaged with what God is teaching you each week.

When spiritual growth becomes part of your weekly rhythm, transformation becomes natural over time.

What is a sermon notes journal and how should I use it?

A sermon notes journal is more than a place to write down points from a message—it’s a tool to help you engage with what you’re hearing and carry it into your week.

The most effective way to use one is not just to record information, but to revisit your notes, reflect on what stood out, and identify how it applies to your life.

When used intentionally, a sermon notes journal becomes a bridge between Sunday’s message and everyday living.

What is a spiritual growth plan and do I need one?

A spiritual growth plan is simply a clear and intentional approach to developing your relationship with God. Without a plan, growth often becomes inconsistent and dependent on how you feel in the moment.

A good plan doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be consistent. When you have a structured way to process what you’re learning and apply it regularly, your spiritual life becomes more focused and fruitful.

Why do I feel like I’m missing something after the sermon ends?

That feeling is more common than most people admit. You may feel encouraged, inspired, or even convicted during the sermon—but unsure what to do next.

What’s often missing is a clear step between hearing the message and living it out.

The sermon was never meant to end at “Amen.” It was meant to continue into your life through reflection, obedience, and daily application. When you intentionally carry the message into your week, that missing piece begins to fall into place.

"It Makes a Difference"

Imagine leaving Sunday service knowing, clearly, specifically, personally, what God said to you today. And knowing exactly what you're going to do about it before next Sunday.

Every week you wait is another Sunday that doesn't become part of who you're becoming.

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