If you are a weekly speaker you understand the struggle of preparing a message that is engaging, captivating, and transforming. There are almost as many ideas out there as there are speakers, so let me give you “ONE” more.
My educational undergraduate and graduate training in preaching both presented the traditional sermon style of Introduction, Body (3 points), and Conclusion.
Though this style worked for some, but for me it became overwhelming. I began to study the speaking style of well-known preachers. After almost a year of watching, reading, and listening, I created a sermon style that worked for me.
My sermon style has 4 parts: Introduction, Exploration, Application, and Invitation. What makes this style good for me is that it maps out the flow of my preparation and delivery with “ONE” main idea.
“ONE” has been the key to my sermon writing, and hopefully to yours as well.
One Topic
What is the “ONE TOPIC” you want to talk about?
The “ONE TOPIC” is the over-arching theme for your sermon. Some examples of topics are love, family, God, sin, salvation, prayer, Bible, and forgiveness.
Pick one over-arching topic that will run throughout your entire message.
Since the topic isn’t focused enough we need to decide on what “ONE IDEA” within that theme do I want to present.
One Idea
What is the “ONE IDEA” under the “ONE TOPIC” you want to talk about?
The “ONE IDEA” is the specific truth you want to present in your sermon.
Under the topic forgiveness, some ideas we can talk about are forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, or God’s forgiveness.
Even these ideas are still too general we need to decide on what “ONE SCRIPTURE” will help narrow our focus.
One Scripture
What is the “ONE SCRIPTURE” that reveal your “ONE IDEA” but also reflects the “ONE TOPIC”?
Having one verse helps in sermon preparation, but it also helps your audience to remember truth presented. You can use supporting verses but avoid scripture overwhelming.
Caution is placed here to avoid taking verses out of context to support our thinking on a topic. Let scripture speak more than you do.
There are many scriptures that talk about God’s forgiveness like Colossians 3:13, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 31:34, and I John 1:9.
Let’s use I John 1:9.
It reads, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The one truth found in the “ONE TOPIC”, “ONE IDEA”, and “ONE SCRIPTURE” is We Confess, God forgives.
To present this truth, we need to have “ONE FLOW” from the beginning to end of the sermon, where this one truth won’t be missed.
One Flow
What sermon structure creates “ONE FLOW” that is easily followed?
The main idea needs to be visible and easily followed in every part of the sermon.
Regardless of if you use the traditional sermon structure style of Introduction, Body, and Conclusion, or some other sermon structure style, make sure the same one idea is consistently and clearly presented in every part of the sermon.
I personally use a 4 part sermon style: Introduction, Exploration, Application, and Invitation.
A crucial part of sermon flow no matter the sermon structure style, are smooth transitions from one part to the next part of the sermon.
One flow helps with sermon preparation and sermon delivery resulting in people being able to follow and implement the sermon’s main idea.