The sermon outline is the roadmap for writing the sermon. Clear sermons grow out of clear sermon outlines.
Writing a sermon outline is a science and an art. Science relates to the structure of the sermon outline, which is learned at seminary, and art relates to experience, which is learned in the ministry. Once you grasp the science of writing sermon outlines, it is only time and experience before you become a MASTER at writing sermon outlines.
Writing A Sermon Outline
The sermon outline is the road map for writing the sermon. The sermon outline is a compilation of ideas arranged in an orderly manner so that the listeners can grasp the message being presented.
As the old saying goes, “If there is mist in the pulpit, then there will definitely be a fog in the pews.”
1. The Science of Writing a Sermon Outline
To master the science of writing a sermon outline, you will need to keep in mind every sermon has three parts – the introduction, the body and the conclusion.
Also the body of the sermon has three parts – the main preaching point (or topic), sub-points and incidental points.
Here is an example of a sermon outline from Romans 5:12-14.
INTRODUCTION
There are three areas in which the Bible speaks clearly and loudly.
1. The Bible speak about sin (5:12) Two questions:
- Where does sin come from? (5:12a)
- Why do I sin? (5:12d)
2. The Bible Speaks about death (5:12-14a) Three statements:
- Death comes through sin (5:12b)
- Death comes to all people (5:12c)
- Death reigns from Adam to Moses and beyond (5:13-14a)
3. The Bible Speaks about life (5:14b) Two facts:
- Adam brought death (5:12)
- Jesus brings life (5:14b)
CONCLUSION
A. The Main Preaching Point
Every sermon has a main preaching point. It also can be called the topic, the big idea or the subject matter of the sermon.
The main preaching point of the sermon above is: “The Bible Speaks Clearly and Loudly in Three Areas!”
B. The Sub-Points
The sub-points expand and explain the main preaching point. The sub-points are what you are going to say about the main preaching points.
In the sermon above, you are going to explain how the Bible speaks about sin, death and life.
C. The Incidental Points
The incidental points simply expand and explain the sub-points in greater detail.
In the sermon above, you are going to expand and explain what the bible say about sin – where it came from and why we sin.
D. Linking Word
The linking word is a plural noun that links the sub-points to the main preaching point.
In the sermon above, the linking word is areas. There are three areas in which the Bible speaks clearly and loudly. The first area is that the Bible speak about sin. The second area is that the Bible speaks about death. The third area is that the Bible speaks about life.
Also a linking word links the incidental points to the sub-points. There are two questions we must ask when the Bible speaks about sin. The first question is: where does sin come from? The second question is: why do we sin?
The linking word helps you format your sermon outline in a cohesive and sequential manner so that the listeners can follow the progression of the message with ease.
2. The Art of Writing a Sermon Outline
The science of writing a sermon outline is simply a knowledge of the structure of the sermon outline.
The art of writing a sermon outline comes with experience in ministry.
I write between two and three sermon outlines a week and I have been doing this now for over 30 years in ministry. Over time I have mastered the art of writing sermon outlines. At first, it would take quite some time to create the sermon outline but now it takes only a short time.
However, it does require discipline, knowledge and creativity.
3. Examples of Writing A Sermon Outline
Here are a couple of sermon outlines that I put together when I preached through the first epistle of John!
A. Sermon Outline From 1 John 2
INTRODUCTION
There are three reasons why we must embrace our new life in Christ (1 John 2:29-3:3).
1. We have a righteous God (2:29)
- We are saved (2:29b)
- We are sanctified (2:29a)
2. We have a loving God (3:1-2)
- We are his children (3:1)
- We are his inheritance (3:2)
3. We have a holy God (3:3)
- We are a hopeful people (3:3a)
- We are a holy people (3:3b)
CONCLUSION
B. Sermon Outline From 1 John 5
There are three marks of overcomers (1 John 5:1-5)
1. They believe in Jesus (5:1a, 5)
- They knew who to believe (5:1a, 5b)
- The knew what to believe (5:4-5)
2. They love God and others (5:1b-2)
- They love the Father (5:1b)
- The love the Son (5:1c)
- The love God’s children (5:2a)
3. They obey God’s commands (5:2-3)
- They are a blessing (5:2b)
- They are not burdensome (5:3)
CONCLUSION
These sermon outlines have been compiled by Rev. D. Blackburn BA GDM.