A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures

A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures KENTON C. ANDERSON Overview

First question: Are you going to preach?

Are you going to preach? No … No one will ever force you to preach, though they may try to force your silence. Silence is always safer.

Are you going to preach? Yes … God is speaking through his Word, and I have been called to help people hear what he is saying.

Second question: Are you going to preach the Bible?

Are you going to preach the Bible? No … The Bible is too difficult and too offensive for listeners steeped in secular cultures.

Are you going to preach the Bible? Yes … If our task is to help people hear from God, we must preach the Bible, because that is where the power is.

Third question: How will you discern your message from the Bible?

How will you discern your message from the Bible? Deduction. . . I will "begin with the Bible" because God is sovereign and we have to submit to what he has to say.

How will you discern your message from the Bible? Induction. . . I will "begin with the listener, " believing that God speaks to the issues and needs of people today.

Fourth question: How will you communicate the message?

How will you communicate the message? Cognition. . . I will focus on the ideas in Scripture, offering a logical and rational appeal to the intellect of the listener.

How will you communicate the message? Affection. . . I will focus on the images of the sermon, aiming for a more emotive, affective impact so as to motivate listeners to obedience to God.

Learning Styles DAVID KOLB

The Declarative Sermon Model: the lawyer For Example: JOHN MACARTHUR JR.

The Declarative Sermon Making Arguments Poor Argument Even if the premises are true, the conclusion is false. Strong Argument If the premises are true, then the conclusion is very likely to be true. Sound Argument If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

The Declarative Sermon 1. Pray 2. Choose your text 3. Discover the big idea 4. Determine your point structure 5. Explain your points 6. Illustrate your points 7. Apply your points 8. Develop an introduction 9. Create your conclusion 10. Manage your transitions 11. Title your sermon 12. Prepare your notes

The Pragmatic Sermon Model: the detective For Example: RICK WARREN

The Pragmatic Sermon 1. Pray for wisdom 2. Raise the listener's question 3. List all of the possibilities 4. Eliminate the illogical 5. Gather all of Scripture's wisdom 6. Answer the listener's question 7. Apply the insights gained

The Narrative Sermon Model: the novelist For Example: EUGENE LOWRY

The Narrative Sermon Levels of Story in the Sermon Their Story The experience of the original characters and recipients of the biblical text. Our Story The human experience that we and our listeners bring to the sermon. His Story The grand story of God's redemptive work with people over time.

The Narrative Sermon 1. Pray your way into the story 2. Involve the listener 3. Create a crisis 4. Resolve the tension 5. Realize the hope

The Visionary Sermon Model: the artist For Example: ROB BELL

The Visionary Sermon The Elements of Visual Art Ground and Figure The subject set against its context. Line and Shape Indicate the artist's level of candor. Color and Light Control the emotional temper of the viewer.

The Visionary Sermon 1. Determine the vision • ground and figure 2. Articulate the vision • line and shape • color and light

The Integrative Sermon Model: the musician For Example: KENT ANDERSON

The Integrative Sermon Performing a Song Composition The composer's intention. Performance The singer's expression. Words The rational content. Music The emotional appeal.

The Integrative Sermon Option 1: Nonintegrated "Put down roots"

The Integrative Sermon Option 2: Consecutive "Go on a journey"

The Integrative Sermon Option 3: Concurrent "Tear down the borders"

A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures KENTON C. ANDERSON