Sermon Development

Here's an outline for proper sermon development

1. Subject
2. Theme
3. Proposition
4. Transition sentences
   
5. Main points
6. Sub points
7. Illustrations
8. Applications
9. Conclusion
10. Introduction
11. Title
12. Polish
    

1. Subject
   
   • one-word summary of entire passage
   • most often the word will be found within the text itself
     
2. Theme
   
   • typically 2 or 3 words
   • particular aspect of the subject that the passage is emphasizing
     
3. Proposition
   
   • 1 sentence summary of the entire passage
   • complete sentence
   • in imperative form
   • brief (3-5, can be 5-7 words)
     
4. Transitional sentences
   
   • a rhetorical bridge between the proposition and the main body of the sermon
   • currently only used with more literary audiences or in settings where classic rhetoric is involved
     
5. Main points
   
   • like the proposition: brief complete imperative sentences
   • 2-5 main points
   • each main point is a summary of each paragraph of the entire chapter
   • serves to clarify, amplify, or in some way explain the proposition
     
6. Sub points
   
   • 2-5 sub points
   • serves to clarify, amplify, or in some way explain the main points
   • may only be on your paper to help the communicator, may not be necessary to give them specifically in the sermon
     
7. Illustrations
   
   • meant to be windows on the Word
   • somewhere between 2-4 per sermon, depending on sermon length and need
   • can have varied forms; from human interest stories to word pictures to analogies
     
8. Applications
   
   • making the truth relevant
   • minor applications for each main point
   • application section near the end of your message
     
9. Conclusion
   
   • often the weakest part of most sermons
   • purpose is to bring the sermon to a final conclusion, like landing an airplane
   • summarize your proposition and main points
   • save your best illustration to the end, finish the illustration with a punch-line and say nothing else, simply end
     
10. Introduction
    
    • designed to be approx 15% of your overall sermon time (should be at least 10% but never more than 20%)
    • serves to introduce the subject, theme or concept of the passage
    • serves as a hook (attention getter) and should introduce the emotional tone of the passage
      
11. Title
    
    • often proposed early and adjusted at the end to make sure that it matches
    • useful for advertising and marketing purposes
      
12. Polish
    
    • your sermon is not finished when you write your final word on the page, it is after you have gove over it 2-5 times that you will discover that you need to adjust or readjust or edit particular content
    • it is often useful to preach it several times out loud before you actually present it
    • you may also want to have other people listen to your sermon and give you pointers
      

Requests and Updates for 12/02

Requests
==
+ Focus on the path God has for me, not the path I have for me
+ Diligence in finishing the semester strong
+ Hunger and thirst for prayer and His word


Updates
==
It's been a rough few weeks. I've been in kind of a rut where I don't feel like I want to do anything. And if you look closely, it may look a bit like depression. But it's all part of the natural ebb and flow of life.

I realized that I need to be creative in order to be really energized. After I finished Jeff & Nancy's music video, I was on such an emotional high that there was no where else to go. And without a creative outlet, the rest of my emotions just kind of petered out.

The phone interview with Glenn went well. And it seems like a place that I would like to intern at. The problem is raising funds. It would cost about 1500 /month just to be a part of InterVarsity. So, we're looking at about 6000 after all's been tallied up.

As I contemplated about my future in bed, something clicked. I don't want to be a big hot shot director. My heart is in ministry, specifically, the creative arts. I've been wrestling with how to produce documentaries on topics of social justice and still make a living. I have to say, I've been kind of distracted by Hollywood. This is not to say that it's not a path, and if the opportunity arises, I'll definitely take it. But God brought my attention back into focus. It's about His people and reintroducing the wonder and joy of the arts to the Church.

If that's the direction I want to go, then maybe an internship at 2100 may not be the best thing for me. I might be better off looking to intern at a church that is at the cutting edge of the arts. I don't know how easy this would be to get, but all's possible with God, right? ;)

This doesn't really set me on a different direction. It's more like filling in the gaps. Now, it's just a matter of letting God open the doors to take me where He wants me to be.

More immediately, I want to try and meet with Susan, the Creative Arts director at Metro. I have a vision for it and would love to see the arts thrive at Metro.

I've also been struggling with my place at Metro. As much as I love it as a church, I feel like I haven't brought much value yet. This might be my eager eyed millenialness, one of my own personal demons, or a carry over from when I was in the world of corporate. But I feel like I need to perform. Then again, it may just be new job jitters. Or it may just be the school mentality of being graded.

School is going to wrap in about 2 weeks. That means final exams, papers, and presentations. Because of the rut, I didn't get any real work done over Thanksgiving. That just means I have to work harder and spend my time more wisely. Staying up 'til 4:30 AM would not fit the bill.

In that schedule, I need to fit God. I need to be a lot more deliberate and disciplined about spending time with Jesus. I'm thankful that He manages to find me every Tuesday morning, even if it does wreak havoc on my sleep schedule.