Modes of Delivery, Titles, and Introductions

Modes of Delivery

Impromptu sermons delivered with

minimal or no preparation. PREP formula

▪ Point▪ Reasons▪ Examples▪ Restatement of Point

Manuscript sermons read from a

manuscript. Memorization

Sermons delivered that are committed to memory and delivered word for word.

Extemporaneous A form of presentation in

which a sermon, although carefully prepared and practiced, is not written out or memorized.

Key-word outline An abbreviated version of a

formal outline that may be used in presenting a speech

Sermon Titles

Sermon titles need to be carefully chosen, whether they are thought of as important or not. When chosen at random, titles may mislead the hearers, causing disappointment and disinterest. Care in the choice of titles can raise the interest of the audience.

Sermon Titles Cont’d…

Keep the title simple and brief. Long titles are distracting. More than five words are probably too many.

Give a title to the sermon after you’ve finished the first or second draft.

Avoid cleverness for cleverness’ sake. Popular songs and movies titles are poor choices , unless they are seriously connected with the text and purpose.

Sermon Titles Cont’d…

Create a sermon titles file.

Hymns Titles from other

sermons Magazines Newspapers Movie titles Book titles Play titles

Praise For President Blame It On The

Alcohol God Is In Trouble Not Easily Broken Why Does God Stay More than a Money

Maker Walk It Out I Give Up

Sermon Introductions

When you first begin to speak, the audience will have three basic questions in mind: Why should I listen to this sermon? Why should I listen to this speaker? What should I understand?

Introductions Cont’d…

The introduction of your sermon must immediately engage your audience. If you don’t get their attention within the first minute of speaking, they may be lost to you forever.

Introductions Cont’d…

The opening of a sermon should arouse attention and involve listeners . Acknowledge the

audience, location, or occasion.

Invoke shared interests and values.

Solicit audience participation.▪ (Ex. please repeat after

me..)

Open with a narrative.▪ We love stories.

Appropriate humor Develop Suspense Begin with a quotation. Startle the Audience.▪ (Ex. God is in trouble!)

Open with an illustration.

Introductions Cont’d…

A sermon introduction should make, implicitly or explicitly, a promise to the hearers.

A sermon introduction should make a promise that the hearers are likely to want kept. The message must be meaningful to them.

A sermon introduction should make a promise at the same communication level as the rest of the sermon.

A sermon introduction should anticipate the whole sermon, but it should also connect directly to the next step of the sermon.

Exegetical Processfor

Hebrews 12:1-2

Getting the Text in View Select the text▪ lectio continua▪ lectio selecta ▪ local plan▪ preacher’s choice

Reconsider where the text begins and ends Establish a reliable translation of the text

Exegetical Process Cont’d…

Getting Introduced to the Text Read the text for basic understanding Place the Text in Larger Context

Attending to the Text Listen Attentively to the Text

Testing What is Heard Explore the Text Historically Explore the Literary Character of the Text Explore the Text Theologically Check the Text in Commentaries

  Moving toward the Sermon State the Claim of the Text

Hebrews 12:1-2

Titles: Stay focused; Run the Race; Lighten the Load; Run, Run, Run; Stay on Course;

I. Lay aside unnecessary weights Weigh everything that you carry. Many habits are too heavy for a Christian Runner. Choose the lightest gear and discard the rest.

II. Run with patience The marathon of life is a long race.

III. Look to Jesus Constantly looking back causes you to slow down and

stumble. Keep your eye on Jesus as the model runner.

IV. The Joy makes the strenuous run worthwhile.