How to Repurpose a Sunday Sermon Into a Weekly Email People Want to Read

You create 30-45 minutes of original content every single week.

The sermon. Fresh illustrations. New insights. Biblical teaching.

Then Sunday ends, and that content sits on a server until someone remembers to listen.

Here's the opportunity: your sermon is a content engine. With 20 minutes of work, it becomes your weekly email—meaningful, personal, and already written.

The Sermon Recap Format

The simplest approach: summarize the sermon for people who want to remember it—or catch up if they missed it.

What to include:

• Key points (3-4 bullets)
• One quotable insight (something shareable)
• Application question (what to do with this)
• Link to full sermon (audio or video)

This takes 20 minutes to write. The content already exists—you're just extracting it.

Sample:

This Week's Message: "Building on the Rock"
Matthew 7:24-27


Sunday we talked about what it looks like to build a life that doesn't collapse when storms hit.


Key takeaways:
- Everyone's building something—the question is what foundation it's on
- Obedience to Jesus is the rock; everything else is sand
- We don't choose our storms, but we do choose our foundation


"The goal isn't to avoid hard times. It's to build so that hard times don't destroy you."


This week: What's one area of your life where you're building on shaky ground?


[Listen to the full message →]

That's the whole email. Five minutes to read. Useful for reflection.

The Devotional Spinoff Format

Take one point from the sermon and expand it into a midweek devotional.

This isn't a summary—it's an extension. You're giving people something new, inspired by Sunday.

What to include:

• One theme from the sermon
• Related scripture (not necessarily the main passage)
• A brief reflection
• A question or prompt for their day

Sample:

Midweek Reflection: When the Storm Hits


Sunday we talked about building on the rock. But here's what I keep thinking about: Jesus says the storm comes to everyone—those on the rock and those on the sand.


Following Jesus doesn't mean avoiding storms. It means having something solid under you when they arrive.


"He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent." — Psalm 27:5


Whatever you're facing today, remember: the storm is temporary. The foundation is not.


— Pastor Mike

This feels more like a conversation than a recap. It's personal and pastoral.

The Discussion Questions Format

Give your congregation (and small groups) questions to chew on.

This format works especially well if you have groups meeting during the week—they can use these questions directly.

What to include:

• 3-5 reflection questions
• Scripture reference
• Optional: context about the sermon topic

Sample:

Digging Deeper: "Building on the Rock" (Matthew 7:24-27)


1. What "storms" have tested your foundation in the past? What did you learn?


2. Jesus says the wise builder is the one who hears his words and does them. What's one thing you've heard but haven't acted on yet?


3. How do you practically "build on the rock" in daily life—not just in crisis moments?


4. What shaky foundations do you see in our culture? How can the church offer something different?


[Listen to Sunday's message for context →]

Simple format. Works for personal reflection or group discussion.

The "From the Pastor" Format

A personal, relational email that doesn't recap anything—just reflects.

This assumes people heard the sermon or at least know what it was about. It's more about connection than content.

What to include:

• What's on the pastor's heart this week
• Brief reflection tied to the message or season
• Warm closing

Sample:

Hey friends,


I've been thinking about our conversation Sunday—about foundations and what we build our lives on.


Honestly, it's a question I'm still wrestling with myself. Some days my foundation feels solid. Other days, I'm not so sure. And I think that's okay. Following Jesus isn't about having it all figured out. It's about keeping our footing even when we don't.


If you're in a storm right now, I see you. Keep building on the rock, one day at a time.


See you Sunday.


— Pastor Mike

This is short, human, and real. It builds pastoral connection without requiring a lot of production.

Which Format to Use?

Pick the one that fits your context—and your pastor's involvement.

You can also rotate: sermon recap most weeks, "from the pastor" once a month.

The Process

Sunday afternoon or Monday morning:

Someone on staff (or the pastor) jots down:

• Key points from the sermon
• One memorable quote
• One application question

That's 10 minutes. The sermon is fresh. Do it before you forget.

Tuesday:

Turn those notes into the email format of your choice. Schedule for mid-week send.

That's another 10-15 minutes.

If your sermon is recorded, add the link. If you have sermon notes from the service, pull from those.

This isn't creating new content. It's adapting content that already exists.

Over Time

After a few months, you'll have:

• A library of sermon recaps
• Email content to repurpose for social media
• Devotional content to recycle during slow seasons
• A record of what you've preached

The work compounds. Today's email becomes next year's throwback post.

Making It Sustainable

Build the rhythm:

Same day each week. Same format. Same process.

When it's automatic, it takes less effort.

Don't overthink it:

A short, helpful email beats a long, perfectly crafted one you never send.

Delegate where you can:

The pastor doesn't need to write the recap. A staff member can listen to the sermon and pull the highlights.

Tie it to the bulletin:

If your bulletin includes sermon notes, use them as the basis for the email. Less duplicate work.