THE STRUCTURE OF A SERMON

The methodology of preaching

The Body of the Sermon

Definition

The body of the sermon is that part of it which is organized into main divisions and subdivisions of

thought connected by appropriate transitions and in which the sermon proposition is expounded by the use

of scriptural support, explanations, argument, quotation, illustration and application

• Definition

“The divisions are the main section of an orderly discourse”

• Purposes-• Promotes clarity• Promotes unity• Develop proposition• Proper treatment of

subject• Enable memorization

•The Body of the Sermon

Divisions

•The Body of the Sermon

Divisions – Main Divisions

• Definition

“The main divisions comprise the conceptual structure of the sermon and are the vehicles for conveying the message

of the proposition.

• Key principles

1) Each main division is derived form the proposition

2) Each main division must be distinct form the other divisions

3) Each main division must relate to the proposition and to the other divisions by a key word (or idea)

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions What it looks likeProposition THERE IS AN ANCHOR FOR YOUR SOUL.

Transition And more than ever young people in Australia need hope. In light of horrific stats on youth suicide young people need to know there is an anchor for their souls.

No 1- The Storms of our Soul

Transitions ………………………………………………………………………..

No 2- The Hopelessness of our Soul

Transition ……………………………………………………………………….

No 3- The Anchor for our Souls

Essential elementsGrows from proposition

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

Essential elementsGrows from propositionContributes and develops proposition

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

Essential elementsGrows from propositionContributes and develops propositionDistinct from one another

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

Essential elementsGrows from propositionContributes and develops propositionDistinct from one anotherProgression of thought

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

Essential elementsGrows from propositionContributes and develops propositionDistinct from one anotherProgression of thoughtValidation and proof of proposition

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

Essential elementsGrows from propositionContributes and develops propositionDistinct from one anotherProgression of thoughtValidation and proof of propositionOne basic idea

•The Body of the Sermon

Main Divisions

•The Body of the Sermon

Divisions – Main Divisions – Sub-divisions

“Sub-Divisions are the structured discussion that are derived from each

main-division with the use of explanations, argumentation, quotations, illustrations and

applications.”

•The Body of the Sermon

Sub-Divisions

Definition

Proposition

Main division

Sub-divisionDiscussion

explanations argumentation quotations illustrations applications

Sub-divisiondiscussion

Main division

Sub-division discussion

Sub-division discussion

Proposition

Main division

Sub-divisionDiscussion

explanations argumentation quotations illustrations applications

Sub-divisiondiscussion

Main division

Sub-division discussion

Sub-division discussion

Derived from their respective main divisions

Should be parallel in structure

Limited and not announced in sermon

Logical order

•The Body of the Sermon

Sub-Divisions

Key essentials

No 1- The Storms of our Soul

A- like boating storms are not constant - In general life is good……(ill) personal story- and that is the trap, they come unannounced and uninvited

B- The wisdom of the bible Ecc a time for everything, including storms.- Common sense wisdom as well teaches…..- The bible describes these storms well in the poetic books (Quotes)- Keys words, overwhelmed, lost, devastated, fearful

C/ Application, Anyone who has ever lived will, has and most likely will again have to sail their souls through these dark tempest of storms. Death, disease, family breakdown, disappointments come and go like the weather.

Transitions Yet how is it that if such storms of the soul are common place and although unannounced not unexpected t hat many of our young people are not prepared and instead of riding the storm out ends their lives?

No 2- The Hopelessness of our Soul

A- Back to my boating story …..(ill) ski, fishing rods, sun screen, - our expectations determine what we bring…….- expectations for a good life…….do not include storms, yet alone death,- the sense of hopelessness is multiplied though ignorance……what anchor

B- Jesus clearly taught those who do not consider deaths are fools…- Scriptures repeat the foolishness of trusting in things of this world (Quotes)-sun screen, water skies and fishing rods only added to the sense of hopelessness. (ill)

c- Application, the unrelenting message of this world is one of ignorance that ignores common sense and the wisdom of the Bible. Death is inevitable and the over emphasis of life now and only now is setting people up for hopelessness

Transition Yet such hopelessness, is a travesty when there a anchor sitting there all the time, ready for use yet for ignorance it is neglected and not known

No 3- The Anchor for our Souls

A- Boating story ill……. the anchor open my eyes to hope really feels like.- Personal story (ill) of hope

B- Main text Hebs (quots) …….

- Context of the book of Hebrews……….

•The Body of the SermonSub-Divisions - what it looks like

•The Body of the SermonThe discussion• Illustrations• Arguments• Quotations• Scripture texts• Applications

To be continued after the break with the conclusion.