Page 31 - Homiletics Student Textbook

The expositor develops his introduction and first point inductively, leading up to the statement of
his idea. Then the remainder of the sermon proceeds deductively to explain, prove, or apply the
idea.

With this type of sermon arrangement, the hearer is oriented to the ‘Big Idea’ at the beginning of the
message through his first and/or second main point(s), building up to the full statement of it midway
through the message. He knows from the beginning what the sermon is generally about, the subject,
and is progressively led to the full disclosure of what the sermon is about by disclosing the subject with
its complement in summarized form. From there, the ‘Big Idea’ is explained, proven, and applied, as in
the deductive arrangement.

Example: Psalm 117:1-2

Introduction: With all the disappointments in life, is it any wonder that people grow discouraged?

Body (Inductive) There is hope in God. This text exposes the fact that 1) People will always
disappoint us; however, it also teaches us that 2) God will never disappoint us. So, rather than
become discouraged when people disappoint us, we should praise the Lord because He will never
disappoint us.

Transitional Sentence: Why should we praise the Lord?

Body (Deductive) We should praise the Lord because 1) His love is strong and 2) His faithfulness is
eternal.

Conclusion: We should praise the Lord because He will not disappoint us.

Note in this example that the proposition was stated fully in the middle of the sermon.

As we’ve now seen, the ‘Big Idea’ can be communicated in a number of different ways, each way being
somewhat dependent upon the purpose the sermon is to fulfill. While not all sermon forms are
conducive to all texts of scripture, the use of different sermon forms can provide variety and freshness
to one’s preaching.

5.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Define the “big idea:”

2-3. A big idea has two major components. What are they?

4. What does the subject tell us?

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