2. Concluding the Sermon I. What are the main elements of the conclusion?
A. The conclusion should be carefully prepared.

3. “Rhetorically, psychologically and spiritually, the conclusion is a most vital part of the sermon. It is not an addition to the sermon, but an organic part of it, necessary to its completeness of form and effect. It gathers up the various ideas and impressions of the message for one final impact upon the minds and hearts of the hearers. --J.A. Broadus

4. B. The conclusion should fit the message.
C. The conclusion should be personal.
D. The conclusion should be emotionally stirring.

5. E. The conclusion should be climactic.
“The moment of decision has come…the conclusion is the time to bring all things to a harmonious and moving culmination…the message is now come into sharpest focus…the conclusion is a time of suspense. Preaching does not and cannot move along a horizontal line. There are peaks and valleys. The true graph of attention is never a straight line…

6. … It is more a graph of the fluctuations of the stock market: a level, a peak, a valley, a plateau, a peak, a valley and finally the highest peak.” Author Unknown

7. F. The conclusion should be definite.
G. The conclusion should be brief.

8. II. What are some of the elements that may go into a conclusion?
Some of the primary elements that can be utilized in the conclusion include the following:
A. Recapitulation
B. The Original Text

9. C. A Parallel Scripture
D. Life Application
E. Exhortation
F. Invitation
G. Encouragement

10. III. What are some things to avoid in making a conclusion?
A. Avoid making more than one conclusion.
B. Avoid announcing your conclusion until you are really concluding.
C. Avoid overselling the point.

11. D. Avoid deceiving people or tricking them into certain responses.
E. Avoid Introducing new points.

12. IV. What are some guidelines for making an effective altar call?
A. Make the call specific.
B. Use appropriate altar call techniques.
Some altar calls are more dramatic than others. You may choose from a variety of techniques including:

13. 1. Merely having the people raise their hands or say “Amen” in agreement.
2. Lead them in a responsive prayer where they repeat your words.
3. Have the people who want to respond stand where they are for prayer.
4. Have those responding come forward to the altar and prayer over them with others.

14. C. Be aware of the rest of the congregation during and after the altar call.
D. End the service on a positive note.