After you have determined what the main point (theme) is from the Scripture you have studied, now summarize that main point in one short sentence. This sentence is your "proposition."

1. Definition:
(What is a proposition?)

a. A proposition is a significant timeless truth that you are "proposing" for the listeners to understand, believe, and respond to.

b. The proposition is a simple declaration of the subject which the preacher proposes to discuss, develop, prove, or explain in the sermon.

c. In other words it is the sermon reduced to one sentence. It is the heart, center, sum, or gist of the sermon.

Some call it: "The sermon in a nut shell."

2. Function:
(What does a proposition do?)

a. It is the foundation of the entire structure of the sermon.

All of your points, illustrations, etc., will be aimed at developing the proposition. Your sermon content will build on your proposition.

b. It ties the sermon together in an understandable unity.

Thus, it prevents you from preaching a "brush pile"; from going off on "rabbit trails"; or giving a "shot gun" message which goes in every direction causing confusion to the listeners.

3. Benefits:

a. It forces the preacher to seek and develop the main point of the passage of Scripture.

b. It helps the preacher stick to the point. It controls the flow of supporting material and helps him exclude the irrelevant.

c. It provides the listeners with a preview of the course of the sermon.

d. It gives the people a single truth that the people can remember and go home with.

4. Types of Propositions:

a. Hortatory (an exhortation)
1) Encourages a response from the listeners.

2) An imperative or command usually including the words "must," "should," "ought to," etc.

3) Examples:

b. Declarative (an assertion)

1) A statement of fact

2) Examples:

c. Exclamatory (a positive proclamation)

1) An emotional statement of fact

2) Stresses a positive truth

3) Examples:

d. Interrogative (a question)

1) It provokes thought by the listeners (questions stir the conscience)

2) Examples:

5. Rules for Forming Propositions:

a. Make sure your proposition flows from the passage
1) The tenor of the text should determine the type of proposition you choose

2) If the passage involves imperatives, your proposition should be hortatory.

Example: I Thes. 5:12-22

3) If the passage states facts, your proposition should be declarative.

Example: I Cor. 13

4) If the passage asks questions, your proposition should be interrogative.

Example: Rom. 8:31-35

5) If the passage stresses positive truth with much emotion, the proposition should be hortatory.

Example: Rom. 8:37-39

b. The proposition should contain only one main idea (keep the word "and" out of your proposition)

c. It should be a complete sentence (subject and verb and predicate)

d. It should be a timeless truth (it must apply to us).

e. It should be:

1) Simple enough to be understood

2) Short enough to be remembered

3) Specific enough to be convicting

4) Important enough to draw attention