Modes of Delivery, Titles, and Introductions
Modes of Delivery
Impromptu
sermons delivered with minimal or no preparation.
A form of presentation in which a sermon, although carefully prepared and practiced, is not written out or memorized.
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
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 .
Open with a narrative.
Acknowledge the
Begin with a quotation.
audience, location, or occasion. Invoke shared interests and values. Solicit audience participation. (Ex. please repeat after me..)
We love stories. Appropriate humor Develop Suspense 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 Process for 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.