Here are [five] important ingredients in listening to sermons: 1. Get sufficient rest before the message so that your mind is not so worn out that it cannot listen. 2. Pray continually, asking God to help you to understand and respond properly to His Word. 3. Make sure that you have everything needed (Bible, writing pad, pen, etc.). Sit where you can see and hear. Make sure personal needs are taken care of. 4. Motivate yourself. The responsibility for developing interest and understanding is primarily yours before God. Make conscious effort to be optimistic and interested from the beginning. Give the speaker your attention. If you don’t have a good, immediate reason for listening to a speaker, you probably won’t listen properly. 5. Be sure to read any assigned readings. A listener who has done his homework has better comprehension.