Preparing An Expository Sermon
Contents:
Introduction
The Keyword method of preparing expository
sermon was officially published by Charles W. Koller (How
to Preach without Notes), and it can be called the “Kollerian” method[1].
The key feature is this kind of sermon has the presence of two or more parallel
ideas in the text that relate in the same way to the same theme, thus a plural
keyword can connect these parallel ideas together thus providing a focus.
The Keyword method is further expanded by a
secular communicator Ken Davis in his famous “SCORRE”[2]
program. He writes his bestselling book on delivering a focus talk titled
“Secrets of Dynamic Communication”. “FOCUS” is the motto of his talk. He
teaches his students to prepare a talk with a clear objective, so that the
listeners will not fall into sleep. He exerts the importance of speaking with
an objective which is essential for good communication.
There are six steps to prepare the key word
exposition sermon as illustrated in the following diagram. This article will
briefly explain each step in a concise manner; and for full details, you may
need to read the original book: (1) “How to Preach without Notes” by Charles W.
Koller. (2) The second book is “Secrets of Dynamic Communication” written by
Ken Davis. (3) The third book is
“Preparing Expository Sermons” by Ramesh Richard.
Step #1: Choose a Single Subject
1.
The single step in preparing a
focus sermon is to choose a single subject from the endless possibilities
available.
2.
The subject should be expressed
in one or two words.
3.
The subject you choose must be broad
enough to include what you want to talk, and narrow enough to avoid a complete
description of your entire talk.
4.
The subject must touch the
audience and able to meet the needs of your audience.
5.
In expository sermon, the
subject is determined by the meaning of the text, so there is no much choice
for the preacher to choose; but the preacher can use contemporary subject to
preach the text.
6.
Here are some examples of
possible subject:
Step
#2: Narrow Down the Subject to a Manageable Theme
1.
The purpose of choosing a
central theme is to narrow the content of the subject to a manageable amount of
specific information.
2.
The central theme must be brief
and crystal clear.
3.
This will guide the preacher
from covering too much and the audience may lost focus because of excessive
information input.
4.
The narrowing process will make
your sermon more interesting and relevant.
5.
Taking the subject “Holy
Spirit” as an example, the possible theme are:
Step #3 – Write a Keyword proposition
Proposition is the most important component
of a sermon. A famous preacher, John Henry Jowett made a remark, “No sermon is
ready until we can express its theme in a short, pregnant sentence. I do not
think any sermon ought to be preached or even written until that sentence has
emerged.” Ken Davis, the author of “Secrets of Dynamic Communication” called it
as “objective”. It is called with different names. Charles W. Koller called it
as a thesis or proposition. Ramesh
Richard, the writer of “Preparing Expository Sermons” called it as the central proposition.
Haddon W. Robinson, the writer of “Biblical Preaching” called it as the big
idea.
Keyword proposition consists of three components:
1.
Propositional statement
containing the theme (What am I talking about?)
2.
The compliment or interrogative
response (What am I saying what I am talking about?)
3.
A plural keyword that connects
all ideas together.
Examples of Ken Davis’s Proposition:
Example 3.1 – Joshua
1:6-9 (James Bong):
Every Christian should (persuasive proposition) be strong and courageous (theme) because of three fundamental facts (key
word) why we need to possess this right spirit.
- Interrogate the proposition: Why every Christian should be strong and courageous?
- Response to interrogation: Because of three fundamental facts why we need to possess this right spirit.
Example 3.2 – Luke 15:25-32
(James Bong):
A
backslider like a younger son should (persuasive proposition) return
to God(theme) for (persuasive proposition) three reasons (key
word) demonstrated by God’s love on a backslider. (Note: If key word is “reasons,” then the interrogative response should
begin with the word for. )
- Interrogate the proposition: Why a backslider like a younger son should return to God?
- Response to interrogation: For three reasons as domonstrated by God's love on a backslider.
Example 3.3 - Matt. 28:18-20 (James Bong):
In Matt. 28:18-20, every local church can (enabling proposition)
become (transitive verb) a model of disciple making church (theme) by (enabling
proposition) incorporating three fundamental ministries (key word) in
all aspect of church life.
- Interrogate the proposition: How can a local church become a model of disciple making church?
- Response to interrogation: By incorporating three fundamental ministries in all aspect of church life.
Charles W. Koller Proposition:
Charles W. Koller gives a general guideline
of how to formulate a proposition with the plural key in his book “How to
Preach without Notes.”
Example 3.4 – Matt. 4:1-11 (Charles W. Koller):
Temptation can be successfully resisted(theme), upon three conditions (key word) which Christ met.[3]
For such a world, the Lord Jesus fortified the souls of the Apostles by that memorable prayer in which we all are included, and from which the believers have drawn strength (theme) in all the intervening centuries, that there are four petitions (key word) to the Heavenly Father on their and our behalf. [4]
The apostle Paul supplies the formula (key word) that every believer may attain “the peace of God” (Theme) which in turn leads to the joy of the Lord.[5]
What are the purposes of having a plural keyword in formulating the
preposition?
1.
The keyword is a homiletical
device used to identify the main points of the sermon.
2.
As mentioned previously, the
main points of a keyword sermon are based on parallel ideas in the text
discovered by developing a mechanical layout of the passage.
3.
If the ideas being considered
as main points are truly parallel, they will be capable of being identified
collectively by a keyword.
4.
The keyword will always be in
plural noun, for it is used to identify two or more ideas, or main points.
5.
The keyword may or may not
actually be found in the text.
6.
The keyword is a direct
response to the propositional interrogative.
7.
Try not to use key word which
is too broad such as: thing, truth etc.
8.
Non plural noun can add a
phrase to make it plural, e.g. advice – three pieces of advice
Step #4 ― Compose the Main Points of the Sermon
The main points function as the pillars of a house that hold up the
roof. They need to be properly arranged in relation to each other. Collectively
they give well-spaced and balanced support to the roof.
A good, clear outline will provide several distinct advantages. It
will allow both you and the hearers to know exactly where you are at any given
time. It will help to ensure that you teach the message of the text. It enables
the hearers to remember your message.
Example 3.1 – Joshua
1:6-9 (James Bong):
Every Christian
should (persuasive proposition) be strong and courageous (theme)
because of three fundamental facts (key word) why we need to possess this right
spirit.
- For the Work of God (Joshua 1:6)
- For Yourself (Joshua 1:7-8)
- For the Sake of God (Joshua 1:9)
A backslider
like a younger son should (persuasive proposition) return to God(theme)
for (persuasive proposition) three reasons (key word) demonstrated
by God’s love on a backslider. (Note: If key word is “reasons,” then the
interrogative response should begin with the word for. )
- Father's Love Has No Limit(v15:22-24)
- Father's Love is Expressive (v15:20)
- Father's Love Focuses on Sinner than Sin (v15:21)
Example 3.3 - Matt. 28:18-20 (James Bong):
In Matt. 28:18-20, every local church can (enabling proposition)
become (transitive verb) a model of disciple making church (theme) by
(enabling proposition) incorporating three fundamental ministries (key
word) in all aspect of church life.
- Ensure Local Church Evangelism Is Set as First Priority
- Ensure New Converts Be Baptised and Assimilated into Church Lives
- Ensure Every Convert Be Equipped to Be a Soul Winner
Example 3.4 – Matt. 4:1-11 (Charles W. Koller)[6]
Temptation can be successfully resisted (theme), upon three conditions (key
word) which Christ met.
- We Must Know the Word of God
- We Must Believe the Word of God
- We Must Obey the Word of God
Example 3.5 – John 17:11-23 (Charles W. Koller)[7]
For such a
world, the Lord Jesus fortified the souls of the Apostles by that memorable
prayer in which we all are included, and from which the believers have drawn
strength (theme) in all the intervening centuries, that there are four petitions
(key word) to the Heavenly Father on their and our behalf.
- That They May Be "Kept" (v. 15)
- That They Be “Sanctified” (v. 17)
- That They Be “United” (v. 22)
- That They Be “Perfect” (v. 23)
Example 3.6 – Phil. 4:4-9 (By Charles W. Koller)[8]
The apostle Paul
supplies the formula (key word) that every believer may attain “the
peace of God” (theme) which in turn leads to the joy of the Lord.
- The Spirit of Moderation (v. 5)
- The Discipline of Prayer (v. 6)
- The Practice of Selective Living (v. 8)
Step #5 – Support the Main Points with Subpoints
The sub-points support the main points as the
main point support the proposition of the sermon. Any sub-points not in harmony
with the main point or any main point not in harmony with the proposition of
the sermon is best excluded.
In developing the body, it will take few
steps to achieve the development of the body: explanation, expansion, and
emphasis of ideas.
Step #6 - Add in Illustration to Bring Color to the Subpoints
Illustration brings light, color, and
clarification to your sermon, thus it makes the audience want to listen.
Illustration should clarify your sermon and help your listener to identify and
to agree with your message that you preach. However, Illustration should not be
an end in themselves, and if illustration does not support the main point, it
has to be dropped even though it is good.
Final Step — Write the Introduction, Conclusion and Title
The introduction of your sermon should be designed to capture the
listener’s attention, to secure
listener’s attention by answering the unspoken question, to direct the
listener’s attention to the purpose of your sermon, and finally to prepare the
listener’s attention to follow the path of your message.
The introduction of your sermon can consist of or be drawn from
things such as:
1. Personal anecdotes
2. Current events
3. Historical accounts
4. Biographical accounts
5. Popular myths
6. Second hand stories
7. Humorous incidents
8. Biblical narratives
9. Cultural issues
10. Relevant quotation
Your conclusion
deserves careful thought and preparation, “as an experienced pilot knows that
landing an airplane demands special concentration, so an able preacher
understands that conclusions require thoughtful preparation” (Haddon Robinson).
Your
conclusion should have two primary goals. Firstly, it briefly summarizes the
content of the message (This will enable your hearers to better remember the
message). Secondly, it forcefully exhorts your hearers to respond to the
message, “our expectation as the sermon comes to an end, is not merely that
people will understand or remember or enjoy our teaching, but that they will do
something about it” (John Stott).
TITLE
1. Must be done very early in the homiletical process, and must reflect
the thrust of the sermon.
2. Title should be creative, but not sensational.
3. Must be contemporary.
4. Brief, but not vague.
[1] Charles W. Koller, How to Preach without Notes (Baker Publishing
Group. Kindle Edition, 2007), pp. 69/286.
[2] Ken Davis, Secrets of Dynamic Communication (Nashille: W.
Publishing Group, 2013), 14-15.
[3] Charles W. Koller, P. 77/286.
[4] Charles W. Koller, 230-238/286.
[5] Charles W. Koller, 249-257/286.
[6] Charles W. Koller, p. 77-256.
[7] Charles W. Koller, 230-238/286.
