Preaching

Created by

Carter Snyder

Cards (25)

Definition of Preaching
"Preaching is the proclamation of God's story, grounded in His word, empowered by His Spirit, and embodied by His servant for the redemption and edification of His people."
Haddon Robinson bullet/buckshot illustration
"A sermon should be a bullet, not buckshot. Ideally, each sermon is the explanation, interpretation, or application of a single dominant idea supported by other ideas, all drawn from one passage or several passages of Scripture."
Haddon Robinson's five criteria for an expository sermon
(1) The passage governs the sermon
(2) The expositor (preacher) communicates a concept
(3) The concept comes from the text
(4) The concept is applied to the expositor
(5) The concept is applied to the hearers
Eight steps to developing a sermon
(1) Conviction
(2) Research
(3) Focus
(4) Shape
(5) Develop
(6) Bookend
(7) Polish
(8) Embody
(1) Conviction
Conviction drives preaching. Based on the convictions that we have about God, about people, about Scripture, and about life, we must preach and stay true to those convictions.
(2) Research
Scripture text MUST guide & govern the sermon. Research the background of the text, observe the literary form and context along with cultural/historical elements. Analyze the passage critically, find cross references, and list additional observations.
(3) Focus
Focus on a single idea. Develop a thesis statement that addresses that idea. "Bullet, not buckshot". Identify a text's subject with a single word, build a question around the subject, state the answer, and refine into your thesis, your main focus
(4) Shape
Shape the flow of thought. Inductive or deductive, develop a flow to the sermon that walks listeners through your points in a cohesive and understandable manner
(5) Develop
Develop each segment (point) by explaining, illustrating, applying, and then transitioning to the next point
(7) Polish
Polish with descriptive language, make the sermon palatable to listeners, and refine the message into the best quality
(6) Bookend
Bookend with an introduction and conclusion that are developed and catch the readers attention
(8) Embody
Embody the sermon in the preaching event. Be yourself, your best self, remove distractions. Use vocal and body language. Communicate so that the sermon feels more like a conversation than a presentation. Avoid filler words through practice. Read the text well
Process for developing a thesis statement
Subject, Question, Answer, Thesis
4 suggestions for narrowing thesis
(1) Use few words
(2) Use the present tense
(3) Use active voice
(4) Use active verbs
Deductive Sermon
General to specific
Thesis, transition with key word, body (points), conclusion (restate thesis)
Inductive Sermon
Specific to general
Introduction with compelling question, body (movements), conclusion (arrive at thesis)
Advantages of inductive preaching
- people are becoming more resistant to authoritative proclamation
- we live in a story oriented culture
- people will better accept a truth they have discovered
- it's easier to maintain tension throughout the sermon
How to develop a point within the sermon's body
Explain the point from the text
Illustrate the point
Apply the point
Disadvantages of inductive preaching
- like a saxophone- when done well, it's beautiful, but it is easy to mess it up
- it is more difficult to make your thesis clear
How to find and develop illustrations
Shared experiences
Illustrations from listeners world
Illustrations from your world
Media
Illustration collections
Other sermons
Process for developing applications
(1) state the point
(2) "therefore we __________"....
(3) provide specific examples
How should we dress when preaching?
Dress so that dress is not an issue
How do we avoid filler words?
Know your material well, be prepared, and spend time with the sermon
Three elements of an introduction
(1) Gather attention
(2) Explore needs
(3) Give direction
Three elements of a conclusion
(1) Highlight thesis
(2) Final picture
(3) Encourage response