Page 53 - Homiletics Student Textbook

b. Example: II Corinthians 1:3-11
Because God encourages you, you should encourage others.
How can you encourage others?

c. Example: II Timothy 1:1-7
Serve Christ faithfully.
Why should you serve Christ faithfully?

The introduction should connect your message to the biblical text.

The planning of a good introduction

1. The introduction should fit both the occasion and the message.

The introduction used . . . should be tailored to fit a speaker’s relationship to his audience, the
occasion for the message, and the intended outcome of the sermon.
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2. The introduction is the last part of the message you should prepare.

As a general rule, development of introductions comes toward the end of message
preparation. That way the message is pretty much in place and the introduction can have the
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highest level of relationship to the central focus of the exposition.

3. The introduction should be appropriate in length.

An introduction should be long enough to capture attention, raise needs, and orient the
audience to the subject, the idea, or the first point. Until that is done, the introduction is
incomplete; after that the introduction is too long.
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The pathway to a good introduction and message

1. Preach with urgency.

If we really believe that our preaching is the most important thing we do, this conviction will
show itself in our very presence . . . With this conviction we will usually carry our people with
us. Whether we preach fast or slow, whether we are loud or soft, we will have a certain
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intensity that gets across.

2. Preach to meet needs.
3. Preach with adequate preparation – know your subject!
4. Preach with clarity – communicate the truth.

71 Mayhue, Richard L., “Introductions, Illustrations, and Conclusions,” Rediscovering Expository Preaching, (Nashville: W
Publishing Group, 1992), 242.
72 Mayhue, 246.
73 Robinson, 165.
74 Delnay, Robert G., Fire in Your Pulpit, (Schaumburg: Regular Baptist Church, 1990), 68-69.
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