Biblical Sermon Structures and Series Preaching

Posted on Mar 2, 2025 in Other university degrees and diplomas

Understanding Sermon Components

  1. Topic: Another name for subject or theme.
  2. Text: A passage of scripture.

Characteristics of a Textual Sermon

  • The text should not be longer than four verses.
  • The main point may come from the text or topic.
  • The problem and solution steps come from one text and its context.

Textual vs. Expository Sermons

  • Textual Sermon: Based on a scripture text, usually no longer than four verses.
  • Expository Sermon: Explains a text in detail and is usually five verses or longer.

Discovering the Topic of a Text

To discover the topic of a text, first identify the paragraphs, subdivisions, and important words. Read the passage several times in more than one version.

Key Questions for Analyzing a Text

  • What is the topic of this passage?
  • Who is speaking or writing?
  • Who is listening or reading?
  • What has happened immediately before this passage?
  • Why is the speaker/writer talking?
  • Is there a specific problem or need?
  • What solution or advice does the speaker or writer give?

Problem and Solution in a Textual Sermon

The problem and solution come directly from the text or its context.

Main Points in a Textual Sermon

Main points come from the text, its context, and other scriptures.

Benefits of an Expository Sermon

  • It is always biblical.
  • It centers on God’s thoughts, not man’s thoughts.
  • It explains the Bible by combining teaching and preaching.
  • It focuses on only one passage of scripture.

Important Aspects of Expository Sermon Preparation

(The question is incomplete, but generally, it involves thorough study and prayerful consideration of the text.)

The Q-and-A Method

The Q-and-A method divides the problem step into a few questions that are actually statements of the problem.

The Main-Lesson Method

The Main-Lesson Method works well for topical, textual, and expository sermons.

Similarities Between Main Lesson and Q-and-A Methods

They both give Biblical solutions to people’s problems.

Emphasizing the Problem in a Lesson

Emphasize the problem because it is associated with the lesson in the solution.

The Importance of Teaching Every Lesson

Every lesson in the outline should be taught because it makes people eager to receive the lesson you want them to hear.

Effective Lessons

We should teach lessons that help people with their real problems in life.

The Contrast Method

The contrast method shows the difference between two people, places, things, or ideas.

The One-Point Method

The One-Point Method has only one lesson. The preacher restates the main point after each illustration.

The Verse-by-Verse Method

The Verse-by-Verse Method is often called the running commentary or the homily. The preacher usually stops at the end of a paragraph of scripture to explain, illustrate, and apply what has just been read.

Challenges with Expository Sermons

(The question is incomplete, but common challenges include maintaining audience interest and avoiding overly academic presentations.)

Series Preaching

Series Preaching: A kind of preaching whereby a group of two or more sermons that share a common theme or topic are preached.

Advantages of Planning a Sermon Series

  • You can listen to the Spirit more easily.
  • Your members will learn the Bible more effectively.
  • Your sermons will have the advantage of great variety.
  • You will be able to find many illustrations.
  • You will be able to preach on difficult topics more easily.

Types of Sermon Series

Topical, Textual, Expository, Doctrinal, and People.

The Preaching Calendar

Purpose: To help a pastor plan his sermons in advance.

Period: At least one month.

Preparing for Calendar Planning

Prepare yourself ahead under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Steps for Preparing a Preaching Calendar

  1. Locate all major holidays.
  2. Match sermons to what people are already thinking about.
  3. Take advantage of any opportunity that holidays may offer.

Using the Bible for Sermon Preparation (Luke 16)

Lessons on Faithfulness with Money (Luke 16:1-15)

  1. First Lesson (Luke 16:10a): “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
  2. Second Lesson (Luke 16:10b): “He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
  3. Third Lesson (Luke 16:13): “No servant can serve two masters.”

Lessons on Wealth and Sharing (Luke 16:19-31)

  1. First Lesson: God has not given everyone the same amount of wealth in this life (Luke 16:19-20).
  2. Second Lesson: Sometimes, the wicked receive good things in this life, and the righteous receive bad things (Luke 16:21).
  3. Third Lesson: In the next life, the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished (Luke 16:22-23).

Expository Series from the Book of Acts

  1. Sermon #1 (Provide Title and Chapter Reference)
  2. Sermon #2 (Provide Title and Chapter Reference)
  3. Sermon #3 (Provide Title and Chapter Reference)
  4. Sermon #4 (Provide Title and Chapter Reference)