| Seminar 4 - Clear Structure From: Preaching
and Preachers
A Series of Nine Seminars for Men Led by Stuart Olyott
We are called to preach God's Word with exegetical accuracy and doctrinal substance.
All our labours will be lost if our hearers cannot follow what we are saying.
"Order is heaven's first law". The question of clear structure is
of paramount importance.
- The Introduction
Definition: Opening remarks which lead into the truth to be
taught.
Purpose: To awaken interest and overcome all obstacles to it.
Suggestions: An approach road, not a side-track; modesty; a single
thought; variety; not too long; careful preparation.
Sources: Anything which will interestingly get the people to be
enthusiastic about the subject in hand.
- The Discussion
Definition: the truth to be taught, to this people, now!
A plan essential: Let God's people (and others) see what
God's truth is.
The helpfulness of divisions: They discipline the preacher; make
the argument followable; and help memory.
Some rules about division: Distinct; order; movement; progress;
cumulative; comprehensive; natural; few; proportionate; orderly; attractive.
- The Conclusion
Definition: The ending of the sermon in a way worthy of the truth
presented.
Importance: It makes or mars the sermon's usefulness.
Suggestions: Careful preparation; brevity; variety; personal;
pointed; crisp.
How is God glorified, how are the saints edified, how can the
lost be saved, if God's truth is presented in a way which cannot be followed and cannot be
retained?
Questions for Discussion:
- Some people argue that as the Holy Spirit is the Divine
Instructor, and He alone makes the things of God plain, there is no need whatever to be
concerned about a sermon's structure. What do you think about such an opinion?
- Does not attention to structure hem a man in, unnecessarily
inhibiting and hampering him? Does it not prevent a man from being his true self in
the pulpit?
- Is there a biblical case for attention to clear
structure, or are the arguments for it merely pragmatic?
- What advice would you give to a preacher who finds it
genuinely difficult to structure his sermons clearly?
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