1. Discussion is basically an unfolding of the ideas contained in your main
and minor points.

You are simply discussing a point.

A sermon is not complete if all you have is an outline (a skeleton); you need to add some "meat" to it.

2. Analogy of a Message:

a. Brain = The Proposition
(the theme of the message)

b. Bones = The Points
(the main and minor developments or "skeleton" of the message)

c. Body = The Parts
(the "meat" and "flesh" of the message)

The "Body" (discussion) hangs on the "Bones" (points), and the "Bones" develop from the "Brain" (proposition).

Proposition [the theme]

Points [main and minor developments of the theme]
Parts [discussion of the points]

3. Good discussion in a message makes the truth "come alive" as you explain, illustrate, and apply the points you are making from God's Word.

a. Good discussion will generally involve three elements (See page 4 and 5)
1) Explanation
2) Illustration
3) Application

b. Good discussion will generally answer three questions:

1) Explanation: What does the Bible say?
2) Illustration: What does the Bible mean?
3) Application: What does the Bible mean to me?

c. Good discussion will generally affect three aspects of man:

1) Explanation: The Intellect (rational/thinking; the "head")
2) Illustration: The Emotion (emotional/feeling; the "heart")
3) Application: The Will (volitional/doing; the "hand")

1. EXPLANATION

Every point should include some explanation to help the listener understand what you are saying.

a. Why do I need to explain the Scripture?
1) Not everyone has a grasp on language and interpretation.

2) The Bible was originally written at a different time period, language (Hebrew/Greek), in a different culture, to people in the midst of different circumstances.

The preacher will need to "bridge" these "gaps" to help the listener comprehend the Word of God more accurately.

3) God commands the preacher to explain His Word

II Tim. 4:2 - "Doctrine" = teaching

b. What do I need to explain about the Scripture?

A preacher will often need to explain:

1) The context of a passage of Scripture
a) Grammatical context (previous or following verses)

b) Historical context (backgrounds/ customs, etc.)

2) Important points of grammar

Ex: Verb tenses, etc.

Key words of grammar (conjunctions,etc.)

3) Word definitions

Many words in the KJV need some explanation

4) Figures of speech (Ex. analogies, metaphors, etc.)

5) Other Scripture (parallel passages) that relate to the verses you are preaching.

c. What resources ("tools") will help me in my explanation of God's Word?

1) Expository Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

(Ex. Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies; Vine's Expository Dictionary)

2) A grammatical aid

(Ex. Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament - Rienecker/Rogers)

3) A concordance

(Ex. Young's, Strong's)

4) A commentary

(Ex. The Bible Knowledge Commentary - Walvoord and Zuck)

d. Two Important Points About Explanation:

1) Explanation must not be neglected or avoided in preaching!

-- It is the bedrock foundation for any application that you make

-- The listeners must know what the Bible means before they can know what it means to them

2) Explanation must not be overbalanced in preaching!

-- Too much explanation makes a message a lecture rather than a sermon.

-- Be careful not to "show off" your knowledge of language, etc.

-- Explanation without illustration tends to be dry and boring. Explanation without application tends to make the message unrelated to life (impractical).

2. ILLUSTRATION

The word "illustrate" basically means "to make bright" or (from the vernacular) "to shed light" on a subject.

An illustration is a means of throwing light upon a point being taught by use of an example. It is a "word picture."

a. Why do I need illustrations?
1) Illustrations aid you in your explanation of the Bible.

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

Illustration is similar to explanation in that it aids the listener's understanding of the text, but it is different in that it uses an example or word picture to do so, rather than a statement of fact from the text.

2) Illustrations obtain and hold the interest of the listeners.

a) Everyone can relate to stories or pictures (they appeal to all ages and cultures).

b) They stimulate the mind and imagination.

c) They help the listener "visualize" a principle in action (a good illustration will elevate a principle from abstraction to objectivity - it makes truth come "alive").

We are living in a "picture orientated" society (a generation of lazy minds). Illustrations help the listener "see," "feel," and "touch" unseen eternal principles with finite minds.

-- Jesus constantly taught by using illustrations
(parables, analogies, etc.).

d) They give the listener a time of "mental rest" (relaxation) or in other words "an opportunity to breath" (especially during a long message).

3) Illustrations aid in the retention (memory) of the truth you present.

b. What are some ways I can illustrate a point?

1) Examples from the Bible
(Ex. an event in the life of David, Moses, Paul, etc.)

2) Stories from history

3) Analogies or comparisons

4) Facts from authoritative sources (surveys, etc.)

5) Poetry

6) Personal testimony

7) Object lessons

8) Dramatics (to re-enact a scene or character)

c. Rules for Illustrations

1) Make sure they illustrate the Scriptural point you are making * Illustrations are not ends in themselves, but a means to an end)

A good illustration is like a window that allows light to be shed on a subject.

Note: An illustration like a window must be transparent. For example, illustrations are not stained glass windows which draw attention to themselves, but they are designed to deepen the impression of a point given in a passage of Scripture.

2) Make sure they are enjoyable, understandable, credible, appropriate, and discriminate (not bizarre or grotesque)

3) Make sure not to be overbalanced. Don't become a "story teller."

3. APPLICATION

a. What is application?
1) Application is the means by which the Holy Spirit uses a Spirit-filled preacher to persuade the listener to respond to the Word of God. It is an appeal to the will of an individual.

b. Why apply?

Some contemporary "pulpiteers" say that since application is the work of the Holy Spirit, the preacher should never get "pointed" or "personal" by applying the Scripture.

Should we apply God's Word?
Most definitely -- For the following reasons:

1) The command to preachers demands it

II Tim. 4:2 - "Reprove, rebuke, exhort" - All appeals to the will of a person
(cp. I Tim. 3:16 - "Reprove . . . correction")

2) The condition of man's heart requires it

Jer. 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?"

Sinful man is often blind to his own needs.

3) The examples of the Bible support it.

Examples:

a) The prophet Nathan - "Thou art the man" (II Sam. 12:7)

b) John the Baptist - "Repent ye..." (Mt. 3:2)

c) The Lord Jesus - "Ye must be born again" (Jn. 3:7)

d) The Apostle Peter - "Repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38)

e) Stephen - "You do always resist the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:51)

f) The Apostle Paul - "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."

c. How do I apply the Bible?

1) With personal questions

Ex. "Have you been redeeming the time that God has given you?" (Eph. 5:16)

2) With personal exhortation

a) In third person: "We must redeem our time!"

b) In second person: "You must redeem your time!"

NOTE: Second person is more pointed. Use third person when preaching to your peers.

d. Rules for application:

1) Make sure you have applied the truth and your own heart and life first.

2) Rely on the Holy Spirit not your persuasive ability. Only He can use His "sword" to pierce the heart and change the will (Eph. 6:17)
(Be walking close to God)

3) Be pointed and specific

General applications are like getting hit over the head with a pillow!

Ex. of general application:

"Christians need to pray fervently."

Ex. of specific application:

"You need to pray fervently."

4) Always explain the Scripture before you apply it
(Explanation is the foundation and authority for application).

5) Never apply your message to any one individual in particular.

Don't use the pulpit as a "whipping post" to get back at someone. This is unethical and contrary to Matt. 18:15-17.

6) Always apply the Scripture to:

a) The needs of the people

(know their needs, attitudes, and interests - Phil. 1:7)

b) The times of the people

(it must apply to today's world. Application must be fresh and new, not "S.O.S." ["Same Old Stuff!"]).