A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures KENTON C. ANDERSON Overview with Discussion Questions and Practical Exercises chapter 5

Learning Styles DAVID KOLB

The Declarative Sermon Model: the lawyer For Example: JOHN MACARTHUR JR.

The Declarative Sermon Making Arguments Poor Argument Even if the premises are true, the conclusion is false. Strong Argument If the premises are true, then the conclusion is very likely to be true. Sound Argument If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

practical exercise 11 Paul's Points Study Romans 8 and attempt to order the arguments that Paul makes. What are the primary arguments? What are the supportive statements? Put them in logical order. Classify Paul's argument. Are his conclusions poor, strong, or sound?

discussion question 17 The Limits of Argument Some would say that the appeal of argument is limited in these postmodern times. People today seem content with contradiction. They are adept at slipping out of the logical traps that apologetic preachers like to set for them. Given this phenomenon, is there a limit to the usefulness of argument in preaching today? What are the pros and cons of using argument?

The Declarative Sermon 1. Pray 2. Choose your text 3. Discover the big idea

practical exercise 12 Writing "Big Idea" Statements Write a theme statement (a "big idea") for a sermon from John 3:16. Make sure it is a full declarative sentence of no more than ten or twelve words that offers both a subject and a complement. For example: "People love justice, but Jesus just loves " (1 Peter 2:22-25) "Christians win by losing” (Matthew 16:25) Choose five more passages from throughout the Bible and do the same.

The Declarative Sermon Pray Choose your text Discover the big idea Determine your point structure

discussion question 18 All for Alliteration? Alliteration ("the purpose of the cross, the person on the cross, the power of the cross ...") is a favorite technique of declarative preachers, but is it more trouble than it is worth? In the attempt to find another p-word, do we risk twisting the sermon into saying something that the text does not intend to say?

The Declarative Sermon Pray Choose your text Discover the big idea Determine your point structure Explain your points

practical exercise 13 Syntactical Markers The little words in the text (yet, for, but) are significant in understanding the relationship and relative weight of ideas. These syntactical markers provide clues to the organization and meaning of the passage. The word therefore in Romans 12:1, for example, is a powerful indicator of how the application ideas to follow respond to the theology described in earlier chapters. The word unless in Matthew 18:3 shows that entry into the kingdom of God depends on our becoming like little children. Take five passages consisting of at least five verses and circle all of the syntactical markers.

The Declarative Sermon 1. Pray 2. Choose your text 3. Discover the big idea 4. Determine your point structure 5. Explain your points 6. Illustrate your points 7. Apply your points 8. Develop an introduction 9. Create your conclusion 10. Manage your transitions 11. Title your sermon 12. Prepare your notes

A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures KENTON C. ANDERSON