THE STRUCTURE OF A SERMON
The methodology of preaching
The Body of the Sermon
Definition
The body of the sermon is that part of it which is
organized into main divisions and subdivisions of thought
connected by appropriate transitions and in which the
sermon proposition is expounded by the use of scriptural
support, explanations, argument, quotation, illustration
and application
•The Body of the Sermon
Divisions
•
Definition
•
“The divisions are the
main section of an orderly
discourse”
Purposes•
•
•
•
•
Promotes clarity
Promotes unity
Develop proposition
Proper treatment of
subject
Enable memorization
•The Body of the Sermon
Divisions  Main Divisions
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
•
Definition
•
“The main divisions
comprise the conceptual
structure of the sermon
and are the vehicles for
conveying the message of
the proposition.
Key principles
1)
Each main division is
derived form the
proposition
2)
Each main division must be
distinct form the other
divisions
3)
Each main division must
relate to the proposition
and to the other divisions by
a key word (or idea)
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions What it looks like
Proposition
THERE IS AN ANCHOR FOR YOUR SOUL.
Transition
And more than ever young people in Australia need hope. In light of
horrific stats on youth suicide young people need to know there is an
anchor for their souls.
No 1Transitions
No 2Transition
No 3-
The Storms of our Soul
………………………………………………………………………..
The Hopelessness of our Soul
……………………………………………………………………….
The Anchor for our Souls
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
Contributes and develops proposition
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
Contributes and develops proposition
Distinct from one another
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
Contributes and develops proposition
Distinct from one another
Progression of thought
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
Contributes and develops proposition
Distinct from one another
Progression of thought
Validation and proof of proposition
•The Body of the Sermon
Main Divisions
Essential elements
Grows from proposition
Contributes and develops proposition
Distinct from one another
Progression of thought
Validation and proof of proposition
One basic idea
•The Body of the Sermon
Divisions  Main Divisions  Sub-divisions
•The Body of the Sermon
Sub-Divisions
Proposition
Main
division
Sub-division
Discussion
Definition
explanations
argumentation
quotations
illustrations
applications
“Sub-Divisions are the structured
discussion that are derived from each
main-division with the use of
explanations, argumentation, quotations,
illustrations and applications.”
Main
division
Sub-division
discussion
Sub-division
discussion
Sub-division
discussion
Proposition
•The Body of the Sermon
Sub-Divisions
Key essentials
Main
division
Sub-division
Discussion
explanations
argumentatio
n quotations
illustrations
applications

Derived from their respective main
divisions

Should be parallel in structure

Limited and not announced in
sermon

Logical order
Main
division
Sub-division
discussion
Sub-division
discussion
Sub-division
discussion
•The Body of the Sermon
Sub-Divisions - what it looks like
No 1-
The Storms of our Soul
A- like boating storms are not constant
- In general life is good……(ill) personal story
- and that is the trap, they come unannounced and uninvited
B- The wisdom of the bible Ecc a time for everything, including
storms.
- Common sense wisdom as well teaches…..
- The bible describes these storms well in the poetic books (Quotes)
- Keys words, overwhelmed, lost, devastated, fearful
C/ Application, Anyone who has ever lived will, has and most likely will again have
to sail their souls through these dark tempest of storms. Death, disease, family breakdown, disappointments
come and go like the weather.
Transitions
No 2-
Yet how is it that if such storms of the soul are common place and although unannounced not unexpected t hat many of our young people are not prepared and instead of
riding the storm out ends their lives?
The Hopelessness of our Soul
A- Back to my boating story …..(ill) ski, fishing rods, sun screen,
- our expectations determine what we bring…….
- expectations for a good life…….do not include storms, yet alone death,
- the sense of hopelessness is multiplied though ignorance……what anchor
B- Jesus clearly taught those who do not consider deaths are fools…
- Scriptures repeat the foolishness of trusting in things of this world (Quotes)
-sun screen, water skies and fishing rods only added to the sense of hopelessness. (ill)
c- Application, the unrelenting message of this world is one of ignorance that ignores common sense
and the wisdom of the Bible. Death is inevitable and the over emphasis of life now and only now is setting
people up for hopelessness
Transition
No 3-
Yet such hopelessness, is a travesty when there a anchor sitting there all the time, ready for use yet for ignorance it is neglected and not known
The Anchor for our Souls
A- Boating story ill……. the anchor open my eyes to hope really feels like.
- Personal story (ill) of hope
B- Main text Hebs (quots) …….
- Context of the book of Hebrews……….
•The Body of the Sermon
The discussion
•
•
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•
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Illustrations
Arguments
Quotations
Scripture texts
Applications
To be continued after
the break with the
conclusion.