Andy Stanley's book on preaching, Communicating for a Change, is one of my top practical books on preaching. In this book, Stanley shares a great way to structure or "outline" sermons. While there are different ways to shape or form sermons, this is a really good default way to structure a sermon. Ready? Here it is!
Me - I was thinking about this/experienced this delimma the other day . . . (Orientation)
We - We have probably all experienced this before (Identification)
God - So what does God/Scripture say about this (Illumination)
You- What would this look like if we applied this in our lives? (Application)
We - What if everyone did this--our families, our church, this world? (Inspiration)
Stanley, Andy (2008-08-19). Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication (p. 121)
Why is this a good general form? For a lot of reasons. It starts with a life experience that everyone can identify with, which naturally draws people in. It sets the sermon up for dynamic movement from a bit of a conflict to a wrestling with the issue and with God about this, to an inspiring resolution. This makes the sermon memorable, because it is set up like an unfolding story. Also, this structure makes sure that the sermon is set up for application, as the whole structure points towards this.
I like to throw in a, now what about you? at the end of the message a lot of times to make sure that they get the direct call to action. And as long as you have applied it to yourself and everyone else, you can make that kind of direct, second person call at the end (in the form of a question).
What do you think of this sermon structure? What are the pros? Any cons? What other general structures do you like to use for sermons?
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Stanley's memorable litany is a great way to structure a sermon. In Stanley's article he talks about making as many connection points with as many different types of people and life contexts as possible to raise people's interest and connection. We are finding that making connection is an absolute necessity.
A key preaching point is that for post-moderns it is a turn off to preach propositionally, i.e., we have the answers to all your questions. Rather than working from proposition is to coach things in suggestion. The reality in peoples' lives is fairly self-evident. What they don't know is if we care. Then we bring the story of God interacting with people in to make connection between the issues of the biblical text and of life today.
The suggestion is that what worked then still works now. What if we, today's audience, took a plunge and tried out the ancient advice? Our suggestion is to try it, test it, live with it for a while. In doing so we give people options and let them know they are in control to trust God or not.
Post-moderns don't work from the presupposition that the Bible or God are real. They are willing, at times, to keep on testing and trying it out as they learn to trust faith.
Great thoughts and interaction with this post, Stan! Yes, indeed, propositional preaching is very much a turnoff for people today. We must seek to present the gospel in a way that is effective for today, such as making suggestions, raising a question or issue and letting people come to the conclusion together at the end, etc.
Just wondering Stan--does Kairos have any direct training on how to "preach to postmoderns"? Are there any trends that you are noticing? Thanks for sharing!
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