Source

This article is based on the 6th chapter of Bryan Chapell's book, Christ-centered Preaching. In this post, we cover the skeletal structure of a sermon. The chapter on the skeletal structure of a sermon presents four pertinent discussions:

• the two necessary distinctions before outlining

• principles in outlining

• components of an outline, and

• suggested foundational FORM

Two Necessary Distinctions

The two necessary distinctions are clarifying the difference between an exegetical and a homiletical outline and determining the type of message.

An exegetical outline is descriptive, whereas a homiletical outline is pastoral. The exegetical outline reflects the flow of ideas in the passage, while the homiletical outline, though the thought is based on the passage, reflects more of the preacher’s flow of thought about the connection of the passage to his immediate audience.

Chapell identifies three types of messages: topical, textual, and expository. A topical message takes a topic from a specific passage but presents the topic depending on its nature. Textual messages take both the topic and main points from the passage, but their development comes from other passages. An expository message takes its topic, its main points, and the entire development of the message from the passage under consideration and is confined by it.

Principles in Outlining

• Unity

Each feature relates to the one thing the sermon is about. All main points support the central theme. All subpoints support the main points. Eliminate everything that does not contribute to the unity of the message.

• Brevity

Concise as possible and must pass the 3 A.M. test.

• Harmony

The use of parallelism. This means that nouns must correspond to nouns, prepositions to prepositions, and verbs to verbs. We have here an example on page 158:

I. Pray, because prayer will reveal your heart.
II. Pray, because prayer will reach God’s heart.
III. Pray, because prayer will conquer others’ hearts

• Other tools include alliteration (keywords beginning with a similar letter) and assonance.

• Symmetry is about the length of points.

• Progression and distinction. Here, Bryan Chapell provided a mistake that should be avoided on page 163:

Proposition: We must preach Christ at every opportunity.
I. We must preach Christ whenever there is an opportunity.
II. We must preach Christ when it is not convenient.
III. We must preach Christ when it is difficult.

Chapell explains why the above outline fails the progression and distinction principle:

The first main point is coexistent with the proposition, and the second main point is coexistent with the third.

• Culmination/climax

Components of an Outline

• Proposition

The proposition is the germ of the entire sermon. This is a short, pregnant sentence that summarizes the sermon. The combination of a universal truth based on the text with an application based on the universal truth. It answers both the questions of why? And so what?

Two common errors are to be avoided. One, a proposition that confines itself exclusively to declaring a true statement. Here is an example:

Jesus Christ has provided the only hope of salvation through His death on the cross for sinners (p. 141).

The second mistake is a proposition that confines itself only to stating a response that is required from the listeners. Here is an example:

The believer in Christ must be diligent in the gospel in every way (ibid.).

In the first example above, the problem is that even though the statement is true, the necessary response from the audience is missing. On the other hand, the second example is also a mistake, for it tells us a definite response, but it fails to mention the basis for such a response.

There are two forms in crafting a proposition. In its consequential form, a proposition states that something should be done as a consequence of truth.

Example:

Because Jesus commands his followers to proclaim the gospel, we must present Christ to others (p. 142).

In conditional form, a proposition identifies a condition that warrants a response.

Example:

Since all have fallen short of the glory of God, we all should acknowledge our sin (ibid.).

• Main points

The main points should support the proposition. There are three advantages in using main points to support the proposition.

One, the exegete-preacher will always be mindful of the dual nature of his task, which includes fidelity to the text and application of the biblical truth.

Two, it maintains the unity of the message while at the same time keeping the distinction of each point clear.

And three, it will be clear to the hearers if there is any change in the key words, and as such, the progress of the idea will also be clarified.

As for the disadvantages, maintaining a reasonable length of the main point isn't easy. Capturing both the principle and the application in a point, the challenge is how to make it concise and memorable without taking for granted the meaning and the relevance of the text.

Another disadvantage anticipated by Chapell is the perceived redundancy. He responded to this objection, saying that repetition might appear "redundant for a reader but not for a listener" (p. 174).

Under the discussion about main points, Chapell suggests practical steps to make the point shorter and reminds us that variation exists.

• Subpoints

As main points support the proposition, subpoints support the main point. No established guideline as to the number of subpoints. This is a space for freedom and creativity, as well as fidelity to the biblical text.

As to types of subpoints, there are three. One, you can use an analytical question in developing subpoints. Others use interrogatives. Still others prefer bullet statements.

Suggested Basic FORM

The acronym FORM serves to summarize the entire chapter. The skeletal structure of a sermon should reflect the following principles:

F – Faithful to the text
O – Obvious from the text
R – Related to a Fallen Condition Focus
M – Moving toward a climax

For the AI-generated song version of this lecture, check Give the Sermon Life.

Grace and peace!