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