Homiletics (The Art of Preaching and Teaching)
Course taught by: Pastor Vincent Sawyer

VII. WHAT FORMAT SHOULD I FOLLOW TO OUTLINE?

Since God is a God of order and has revealed His Word in an orderly manner, the exposition and delivery of the Scripture must be so. The human mind instinctively demands order and dreads chaos; therefore, an orderly, disciplined structure is advantageous in properly treating a subject of such prime importance.


A. * FOLLOW A CONSISTENT SET OF SYMBOLS (Ex. I, A, 1, etc.) IN YOUR OUTLINE

    I.

      A.

        1.

          a.

            1)

              a)

                (1)

                  (a)

B. EXAMPLE OF HOMILETICAL STRUCTURE

Title:                                    

* Proposition:                                                                            

I.        (MAIN POINT; UPPER CASE LETTERS; BOLD PRINT)       

    A.        (MINOR POINT; UPPER CASE LETTERS)       

    B.                                                                             

    C.                                                                             

      1.      (Sub-point; upper and lower case)     

      2.                                                           

II.                                                                                             

III.                                                                                             


C. SAMPLE OUTLINE:

TITLE: "BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"
TEXT: I THESS. 5:1-3

PROPOSITION:   You must escape the wrath of God before it's too late!
  Why? 2 Reasons:

  1. THE WRATH OF GOD WILL FALL AT A TIME WHEN:
    THE WORLD WILL NOT EXPECT IT (v. 1-3a)

      2. A. IT'S AN UNKNOWN TIME (v. 1)

      B. IT'S AN UNEXPECTED TIME (v. 2)

      C. IT'S A "SECURE" TIME (v. 3a)

        1. The World will experience a false "Peace"

        2. The World will experience a false "Safety"

  2. THE WRATH OF GOD WILL FALL AT A TIME WHEN:
    THE WORLD WILL NOT ESCAPE IT (v. 3b)

      3. A. UNBELIEVERS WILL ENTER IT QUICKLY

      B. UNBELIEVERS WILL FIND NO WAY OUT



D. RULES FOR OUTLINING

    1. Your number of points will often vary from sermon to sermon.

    The number of points generally depends on:

      a. The length of your Scripture passage
      b. The complexity of subject matter
      c. The grammar of your text

    2. Your points must develop (describe, etc.) a major thought.

    Example:

      a. Your main points develop your proposition.
      b. Your minor points develop a main point.
      c. Your sub-points develop a minor point.

      *

      I.

        A.
        B.
          1.
          2.
      II.
      III.

    3. Only enumerate points.

    Do not place a number or letter next to your explanation, illustration, or application.

    But set off those elements with

    "bullets" - •
    asterisks - *
    or dashes - --


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This course is provided free of charge courtesy of Faith Bible Institute of Corona, NY, and may be copied, distributed, and taught so long as proper credit is given to the author when a quotation is made. This material may not be sold, misquoted, or misused in any form. Faith Bible Institute is a division of Faith Baptist Church, 105-01 37th Avenue, Corona, Queens, NY, USA 11368. Vincent Sawyer, President - (718) 457-5651.