Page 40 - Homiletics I Student Textbook

complement by asking, “What is this passage saying about what it is talking about?” The proposition
(‘Big Idea’) consists of both the subject and the complement(s).

The full statement of this subject with its complements forms the basis for the exegetical outline. It is
presented as time-bound in the sense that it was a message for the people in that day, in that town,
then, when it was written so many years ago.

Standardize the Passage (Theological Outline – the content of the passage)
Next, the pastor must examine the exegetical outline and proposition and ask the question, “What is
this passage saying to all people of all time?” He must pray for insight into the text’s universal
principles. He must follow the flow of the exegetical outline. The pastor must determine what the
passage is saying about God and His creation and how the two relate. Then he must express the
theological principles in the form of timeless truths. After all this, he must restate the proposition (‘Big
Idea’) in the form of a timeless truth using both subject and complement(s).

The full statement of this subject with its complements forms the basis for the theological outline. It is
presented as timeless in the sense that it was not just a message for the people in that day, in that town,
then, when it was written so many years ago, but also for people of all time, regardless of where or
when they live(d) throughout history.

Apply the Passage (Homiletical Outline – how to preach the passage)

The pastor must examine the theological outline and proposition and ask the question, “What is this
passage saying to the people who will hear me preach today?” He must determine the following:

1. Determine what the passage really means for Joe on Monday morning.
2. Determine what you will need to prove to Joe for Monday morning.
3. Determine why Joe needs to do this on Monday morning.
4. Determine what Joe is being called to believe on Monday morning.
5. Determine what Joe is being called to feel on Monday morning.
6. Determine what Joe is being asked to do on Monday morning.

Next, he must write the homiletical proposition (‘Big Idea’) based on these answers. It should be
personal, it should have a subject and it should have a complement.

Next, he must formulate the homiletical structure of your sermon. He should state the main points.
They should be personal, clear, and written in complete sentences. They should answer a question
about the proposition.

He must determine whether the format for the sermon will be deductive, inductive, or
inductive/deductive.

He then plans transitional sentences with a key word, explanations, illustrations, and applications.

Next, he plans the conclusion.

Finally, the pastor must plan his introduction.

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