Expository Preaching – Empowering the Outline

After I had been teaching for about five years I noticed that my student’s outlines were generally well-done and effective. But I also noticed that the outline points rarely pricked at my heart or caused any stirring in my spirit. This led me to review my own outline points. What I observed led me to the conclusion that the emotional/motivational aspects of the text were not always represented in the outline points. I had been teaching my students an approach that was truthful; but wooden, mechanical, and in some cases, lifeless. This reality led me to create and use what I now call “power words” within the outline points. The use of these power words can enliven the outline and add that much needed empowering aspect.

Consider this example from Mark 1:1-8. Allow me to demonstrate what I mean. Observe the outline points that would fairly standard in expository preaching:

1. His (John’s) ministry was connected to God’s power (1-5)
2. His (John’s) ministry was complimented with humility (6-8)

For many preachers this outline would seem sufficient. It is important to note, however, some serious weaknesses to this approach. First, the outline points are about John the Baptist’s ministry. While there is nothing inherently wrong with talking about John, the approach assumes the listener is interested in John. However, a study of human nature reveals that people are more concerned about themselves than others. This is why most listeners want to know how a sermon relates to them and why they should bother listening to it. Further, the above outline merely informs them as to how and why John was effective in ministry. Second, as it is stated it simply does not stir the emotions or the heart, nor does it reflect the motivational emphases of the narrative.

Many, perhaps even most, gifted expositors rarely consider that structuring the points in a way that John gets the emphasis is indeed a weakness. They assume that since John is the star of the passage then this is acceptable. And while I will agree that it is not “sinful” or “wrong” to structure the points this way, in my opinion there is a much stronger and more meaningful way to develop the outline. The goal should be to connect the text to the listener emotionally and spiritually. Therefore, the outline points should be written in the present-tense and geared toward the listener. As I will demonstrate, this will not take any of John’s glory from him.
When the preacher writes the points toward the listener they become:

1. Effective ministry is connected to God’s power (1-5)
2. Effective ministry is complimented with humility (6-8)

Again, for many preachers this approach would be sufficient. And while I will agree that it is not wrong or sinful, I will still contend that this approach does not cause the listener to do any soul searching or reflecting. The reason is because the points are stated as simple informative reality.
But notice what happens when the points are stated with text-honoring emphasis or empowering words:

1. An Effective/Significant ministry is connected to the awesome power of God (1-5)

2. An Effective/Significant Ministry is complimented with heart-felt humility
(6-8)

These added words may not make much of a visual difference as one reads them, but they do provide the preacher an opportunity to expose the motivational aspects of the text. John’s ministry was effective and powerful because it was connected to an awesome God who foretold of the coming of His Son. This God also provided the only message that saves lost people from their sins. It is clear that John the Baptist had no average or typical relationship with God. Clearly he was broken and moved by the awesomeness of Who God was and is. As the preacher preaches this reality he can emphasize that an awesome God desires to use every Christian in the same way He used John. That kind of effectiveness is only realized when God’s people come to understand just Who it is that they serve.

Further, as one looks at John’s life it is easy to see that his humility was not just a human attribute. John was humbled to the heart. He did not desire to put on performances that would bring him any personal recognition. He wanted, from the depths of his heart, to see all glory go to Jesus. The preacher can remind his listeners that they serve not from mere humility, but rather from a heart that has been humbled because of Who they serve and how they compare to Him! This is the difference between preaching general truth and preaching life-transforming truth! People will become emotionally involved as this type of preaching will force them to examine themselves to see if they see God in His awesomeness and if they are indeed humbled to the heart.

For more detail and insights grab a copy of Crossing the Homiletical Bridge.

Tony Guthrie, PhD.

[email protected]

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• On Sermon Outlines | H.B. Charles Jr. – … the outline that calls for action. Write the points as exhortations. Then challenge the congregation to live them out as you explain and illustrate the point. What advice would you give for developing effective sermon outlines?