Some Sermon StructuresSome Sermon Structures

Plain StylePlain Style A response to the complex, rhetorically-A response to the complex, rhetorically-

structured preaching of the post-Reformation era. structured preaching of the post-Reformation era. A return to the simplicity of Calvin and his A return to the simplicity of Calvin and his immediate heirs in reaction (mostly) to preaching immediate heirs in reaction (mostly) to preaching in the Church of England at its Highest.in the Church of England at its Highest.

Development of this style commonly ascribed to Development of this style commonly ascribed to the Puritans, but it also developed among the Puritans, but it also developed among Evangelical and Low-Church Anglicans and other Evangelical and Low-Church Anglicans and other Protestants.Protestants.

Most influential in North American Protestantism Most influential in North American Protestantism until the early twentieth century.until the early twentieth century.

Plain StylePlain Style Introduction:Introduction: Story, statement, or question that Story, statement, or question that

captures the congregation’s interest. May captures the congregation’s interest. May summarize the text or hint at the direction of the summarize the text or hint at the direction of the sermon. (5-10%)sermon. (5-10%)

Statement of Direction / Thesis Statement: Statement of Direction / Thesis Statement: Revealing direction of the sermon. If text Revealing direction of the sermon. If text summarized in Introduction, connection / summarized in Introduction, connection / identification with congregation here. (<5%)identification with congregation here. (<5%)

Exposition of Text, Doctrine, or Practice: Exposition of Text, Doctrine, or Practice: This is where the preacher’s exegesis or study of This is where the preacher’s exegesis or study of the doctrine or practice is related. Not a the doctrine or practice is related. Not a comprehensive exegesis or detailed report of comprehensive exegesis or detailed report of study. The preacher chooses what to offer in study. The preacher chooses what to offer in service of the sermon’s thesis / direction. (20-service of the sermon’s thesis / direction. (20-30%+)30%+)

Plain StylePlain Style Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis (20-(20-

30% if not covered in preceding section): What is 30% if not covered in preceding section): What is the positive witness of the sermon? What can we the positive witness of the sermon? What can we believe about this text, doctrine, or practice? The believe about this text, doctrine, or practice? The preacher makes an initial connection with the preacher makes an initial connection with the congregation’s situation.congregation’s situation.

Application:Application: The preacher makes direct The preacher makes direct connections with the congregation’s situation. connections with the congregation’s situation. Often a story or two illustrate the truth and Often a story or two illustrate the truth and applicability of the message. (20-30% if the applicability of the message. (20-30% if the preceding section was present, 30-40% if the preceding section was present, 30-40% if the preceding section was folded into the Exposition)preceding section was folded into the Exposition)

Ending:Ending: Encouragement to act, call to devotion, Encouragement to act, call to devotion, opening for reflection, invitation to respond. (5-opening for reflection, invitation to respond. (5-10%)10%)

The Good Samaritan in Plain The Good Samaritan in Plain StyleStyle

Introduction:Introduction: Familiarity of story or What “Good Familiarity of story or What “Good Samaritan” means today, or example of person Samaritan” means today, or example of person called “Good Samaritan.”called “Good Samaritan.”

Statement of Direction: Statement of Direction: “We agree it’s good “We agree it’s good to act like the Good Samaritan. How do we do it? to act like the Good Samaritan. How do we do it? If we look (again) at the story we’ll see being a If we look (again) at the story we’ll see being a Good Samaritan is more than just doing certain Good Samaritan is more than just doing certain things. It’s a way of being.”things. It’s a way of being.”

Exposition: Exposition: Working through the text, Working through the text, presenting relevant detail to illuminate character presenting relevant detail to illuminate character and actions of Lawyer, Priest, and Levite. Telling and actions of Lawyer, Priest, and Levite. Telling what Jesus’ people thought of Samaritans (and what Jesus’ people thought of Samaritans (and vice versa). Highlighting the shock value of Jesus’ vice versa). Highlighting the shock value of Jesus’ words “But a Samaritan . . .”words “But a Samaritan . . .”

The Good Samaritan in Plain The Good Samaritan in Plain StyleStyle

Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis: Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis: Focus on what it means to be faithful / obedient Focus on what it means to be faithful / obedient to God: Lawyer’s concern for requirements of life to God: Lawyer’s concern for requirements of life in covenant; Priest’s and Levite’s concern with in covenant; Priest’s and Levite’s concern with ritual purity and status in community; Samaritan ritual purity and status in community; Samaritan simply “moved with pity in his guts.” Love as simply “moved with pity in his guts.” Love as fulfillment of Law. Compassion as God’s action.fulfillment of Law. Compassion as God’s action.

Application:Application: Example of a situation where the Example of a situation where the creative, compassionate response broke rules but creative, compassionate response broke rules but was the right thing to do. Examples of situations was the right thing to do. Examples of situations that challenge us today, and how we might shape that challenge us today, and how we might shape a compassionate response.a compassionate response.

Ending: Ending: Encouragement to be neighbours who Encouragement to be neighbours who don’t count the cost. Raising possibility that don’t count the cost. Raising possibility that neighbour love we need may come from neighbour love we need may come from unexpected sources.unexpected sources.

David Buttrick: Plot and MovesDavid Buttrick: Plot and MovesHomiletic, 1987 Homiletic, 1987

Plot:Plot: The selection and ordering of The selection and ordering of material to achieve a particular material to achieve a particular intention in the consciousness of the intention in the consciousness of the congregation as a body. (Allen, 189)congregation as a body. (Allen, 189)

Moves: Moves: A sermon begins, then A sermon begins, then moves from one episode to another.moves from one episode to another.

David Buttrick: Plot and MovesDavid Buttrick: Plot and Moves

The preacher decides the beginning and end, and The preacher decides the beginning and end, and the moves it will take to reach the end. The the moves it will take to reach the end. The preacher knows how the congregation thinks and preacher knows how the congregation thinks and shapes the process accordingly.shapes the process accordingly.

Each move is self-contained, but must clearly Each move is self-contained, but must clearly connect with preceding and following moves. connect with preceding and following moves.

The connection may be logical progression, or The connection may be logical progression, or varied perspectives on one issue, or an image varied perspectives on one issue, or an image carried through several moves. Not beads on a carried through several moves. Not beads on a string.string.

Moves might alternate between text and Moves might alternate between text and contemporary situation, or moves dealing directly contemporary situation, or moves dealing directly with text may be grouped together in a with text may be grouped together in a progression of thought, or in shape of text.progression of thought, or in shape of text.

Buttrick advises 4 to 6 moves of 3 to 5 minutes Buttrick advises 4 to 6 moves of 3 to 5 minutes each.each.

The Good Samaritan in Plot and MovesThe Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves

Group Consciousness: In a Reformed church the Group Consciousness: In a Reformed church the preacher is aware of the congregation’s interest preacher is aware of the congregation’s interest in discerning the duties of God’s covenant in discerning the duties of God’s covenant partners. What does life in covenant look like?partners. What does life in covenant look like?

Intended Shift in Consciousness: The preacher Intended Shift in Consciousness: The preacher wants the community to (re)discover that life in wants the community to (re)discover that life in covenant is more than defining and fulfilling covenant is more than defining and fulfilling duties, and looks like God’s compassion in action.duties, and looks like God’s compassion in action.

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The Good Samaritan in Plot and MovesThe Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves

Beginning: Beginning: The preacher might begin with a The preacher might begin with a question: e.g. “How do we know the right thing to do question: e.g. “How do we know the right thing to do in a complicated situation?” and then talk about the in a complicated situation?” and then talk about the ways our religion helps and hinders us as we try to ways our religion helps and hinders us as we try to answer that question. answer that question. OrOr the preacher might begin the preacher might begin with the text, and present the lawyer as a good and with the text, and present the lawyer as a good and dutiful person of faith who’s trying to figure out what dutiful person of faith who’s trying to figure out what he must do. Then suggest the congregation can he must do. Then suggest the congregation can identify with the lawyer.identify with the lawyer.

Move 1: Move 1: Look at our situation as Christians in our Look at our situation as Christians in our culture today. It’s tough to maintain our identity and culture today. It’s tough to maintain our identity and know what’s right.know what’s right.

Move 2:Move 2: We know there are different ways to cope We know there are different ways to cope with this problem. We can work hard to impose old with this problem. We can work hard to impose old rules on a new world, or we can just give up and give rules on a new world, or we can just give up and give in.in.

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Move 3: Move 3: Look at the text. A man fell prey to greed Look at the text. A man fell prey to greed and violence, as so often happens today.and violence, as so often happens today.

Move 4: Move 4: The Priest and Levite came along and The Priest and Levite came along and formulated acceptable religious responses. Surprise?formulated acceptable religious responses. Surprise?

Move 5: Move 5: Surprise! The Samaritan came along. He Surprise! The Samaritan came along. He wasn’t bound by the rules the way the other two wasn’t bound by the rules the way the other two were. He acted in compassion. The lawyer had to were. He acted in compassion. The lawyer had to admit the Samaritan got it right. God often works admit the Samaritan got it right. God often works outside the borders of our expectations and beliefs.outside the borders of our expectations and beliefs.

Ending: Ending: As we try to figure out what we are to do, As we try to figure out what we are to do, often we miss the call just to be, acting out of our often we miss the call just to be, acting out of our identity as God’s people rather than looking for a list identity as God’s people rather than looking for a list of tasks to complete. Can we be as creative and of tasks to complete. Can we be as creative and responsive as God, and receive God’s direction in new responsive as God, and receive God’s direction in new and unexpected ways?and unexpected ways?

The Good Samaritan in Plot and MovesThe Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves

The Lowry LoopThe Lowry Loop

Eugene Lowry,Eugene Lowry,

The Homiletical Plot (2 editions)The Homiletical Plot (2 editions)

Dancing the Edge of Mystery, 1997Dancing the Edge of Mystery, 1997

The Lowry LoopThe Lowry Loop

1.1. Oops!Oops! Upsetting the EquilibriumUpsetting the Equilibrium

2.2. Ugh!Ugh! The Plot ThickensThe Plot Thickens

3.3. Aha!Aha! Disclosing the Clue to ResolutionDisclosing the Clue to Resolution

4.4. Whee!Whee! Experiencing the GospelExperiencing the Gospel

5.5. Yeah!Yeah! Anticipating the FutureAnticipating the Future

Episodic TelevisionEpisodic Television Frank Thomas Frank Thomas, They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ , They Like to Never Quit Praisin’

God, 1997God, 1997

Upsetting the Equilibrium: CrisisUpsetting the Equilibrium: Crisis Commercial BreakCommercial Break

The Plot Thickens: Intervention / The Plot Thickens: Intervention / ComplicationComplication Commercial BreakCommercial Break

Clue to Resolution: Discovery / AdditionClue to Resolution: Discovery / Addition Commercial BreakCommercial Break

Experiencing Good News: ResolutionExperiencing Good News: Resolution Commercial BreakCommercial Break

Anticipating the Future: ReleaseAnticipating the Future: Release Closing CreditsClosing Credits

The Parable of the Good The Parable of the Good SamaritanSamaritan

Oops!:Oops!: Man travels dangerous road Man travels dangerous roadalone! Falls among thieves!alone! Falls among thieves!

Ugh!:Ugh!: Religious types pass by on Religious types pass by on other side!Then a Samaritan comes!other side!Then a Samaritan comes!

Aha!:Aha!: Samaritan moved with pity!Samaritan moved with pity! Whee!:Whee!: Samaritan takes man to inn, Samaritan takes man to inn,

payspays bill, and promises to return! bill, and promises to return! Yeah!:Yeah!: Neighbours appear when most- Neighbours appear when most-

needed, least-expected. Opportunities needed, least-expected. Opportunities to be neighbour abound!to be neighbour abound!

Eugene Lowry (again)Eugene Lowry (again)How to Preach a Parable, 1989How to Preach a Parable, 1989

(But not just a parable!)(But not just a parable!)

Running the StoryRunning the Story Sermon follows the flow of the story, in a re-telling that Sermon follows the flow of the story, in a re-telling that

includes helpful commentary, with our own amplifications, includes helpful commentary, with our own amplifications, elaborations, and flourishes along the wayelaborations, and flourishes along the way..

Delaying the StoryDelaying the Story Sermon begins with contemporary situation, issue, Sermon begins with contemporary situation, issue,

problem. Text introduced later to answer need for gospel problem. Text introduced later to answer need for gospel in contemporary context.in contemporary context.

Suspending the StorySuspending the Story Sermon begins with text, identifies problem in text, Sermon begins with text, identifies problem in text,

discusses problem, returns to text to show how “the rest of discusses problem, returns to text to show how “the rest of the story” solves the problem (or leaves us to live with the the story” solves the problem (or leaves us to live with the tension!)tension!)

Alternating the StoryAlternating the Story Sermon tells the story in sections, each section elaborated Sermon tells the story in sections, each section elaborated

or applied to contemporary situation.or applied to contemporary situation.

Paul Scott WilsonPaul Scott WilsonThe Four Pages of the Sermon, 1999The Four Pages of the Sermon, 1999

Text Time Law / Text Time Law / SinSin

1. Trouble 1. Trouble in the Text in the Text (20%)

Gospel / GraceGospel / Grace

3. God’s Action 3. God’s Action in the Text in the Text (20%)

2. Trouble 2. Trouble in Our Timein Our Time

(20%)Our TimeOur Time

4. God’s Action 4. God’s Action in Our Timein Our Time

(20%)

Introduction (10%)

Conclusion (10%)

The Good Samaritan on Four PagesThe Good Samaritan on Four Pages

Text Time Law / Text Time Law / SinSin

1. Man suffers, 1. Man suffers, leaders fail him.leaders fail him.

Gospel / GraceGospel / Grace

3. Samaritan arrives, 3. Samaritan arrives, acts like God.acts like God.

2. Many suffer, 2. Many suffer, world fails them.world fails them.

Our TimeOur Time

4. Acts of compassion 4. Acts of compassion enact God’s enact God’s compassion.compassion.

Introduction: Story of a challenge to compassion/

Lawyer’s question as opening scene of movie.

Conclusion: Call to compassion / Jesus’ words to lawyer, and to us.

Fred CraddockFred CraddockInductive PreachingInductive Preaching

Preaching (Preaching (1990) and other works.1990) and other works.

Better to read his sermons, best to hear him preach.Better to read his sermons, best to hear him preach.

Begin with a key word, theme, question, tension, Begin with a key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that you have identified through your etc. that you have identified through your engagement with the textengagement with the text. .

Lead the congregation on a journey into the text, Lead the congregation on a journey into the text, carrying the key word, etc., exploring how the carrying the key word, etc., exploring how the text may treat the word, etc. text may treat the word, etc.

The destination of inductive process is as much The destination of inductive process is as much the experience of the journey as any specific the experience of the journey as any specific learning or application.learning or application.

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Fred CraddockFred CraddockInductive PreachingInductive Preaching

Craddock preaches from a bottomless treasury of Craddock preaches from a bottomless treasury of stories from his own life and his most familiar stories from his own life and his most familiar environment, the rural southern U.S. Even his environment, the rural southern U.S. Even his occasional literary references are from his occasional literary references are from his environment.environment.

Craddock exploits the emotional power of Craddock exploits the emotional power of narrative. He appeals to the intellect through narrative. He appeals to the intellect through emotion. He invites identification with the emotion. He invites identification with the experience embodied in his stories.experience embodied in his stories.

Our identification is through the key word, theme, Our identification is through the key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that he has identifiedquestion, tension, etc. that he has identified. .

2020

Inductive Process with the Good SamaritanInductive Process with the Good Samaritan

Key: Jesus says the Samaritan “was moved with Key: Jesus says the Samaritan “was moved with pitypity”.”.

Entry: We all know the word “pity”. We use it many Entry: We all know the word “pity”. We use it many ways. Relate some common examples.ways. Relate some common examples.

Journey: A story, or set of vignettes, in which “pity” Journey: A story, or set of vignettes, in which “pity” is a refrain or punchline. This might include is a refrain or punchline. This might include descriptions of the Priest and Levite saying “pity” descriptions of the Priest and Levite saying “pity” as they pass by. We are invited to remember the as they pass by. We are invited to remember the times when we have been moved to think or speak, times when we have been moved to think or speak, but not to act.but not to act.

Destination: “But . . .” The Samaritan was moved to Destination: “But . . .” The Samaritan was moved to actact. . We are invited to agree that real pity leads to We are invited to agree that real pity leads to action.action.

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Inductive Process with the Good SamaritanInductive Process with the Good Samaritan

The movement of the sermon is similar to that of the The movement of the sermon is similar to that of the text and offers an experience we could imagine. text and offers an experience we could imagine.

The fruits of the preacher’s exegesis are rarely explicit The fruits of the preacher’s exegesis are rarely explicit in inductive process. The preacher’s choices are based in inductive process. The preacher’s choices are based on close study of the text.on close study of the text.

E.g. the preacher’s choice of “pity” as the key word is E.g. the preacher’s choice of “pity” as the key word is grounded in study of the word, how it functions in grounded in study of the word, how it functions in scripture, and what it represents as an attribute of God.scripture, and what it represents as an attribute of God.

The preacher’s goal is not to teach about this pity, but The preacher’s goal is not to teach about this pity, but to invite the congregation into an experience of it.to invite the congregation into an experience of it.

Inductive preaching is not for the lazy or faint-hearted.Inductive preaching is not for the lazy or faint-hearted.

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Thomas LongThomas LongThe Witness of Preaching, 1988, 2005The Witness of Preaching, 1988, 2005

If this . . . then this . . . then this.If this . . . then this . . . then this. In Long’s preaching the third “this” is often a In Long’s preaching the third “this” is often a

twist or a surprise, a challenge to live the full twist or a surprise, a challenge to live the full implications of the gospel.implications of the gospel.

Example: If God is love (as text says) . . . then Example: If God is love (as text says) . . . then God loves all (as logic and other texts say) . . . God loves all (as logic and other texts say) . . . then God loves our enemies.then God loves our enemies.

Long is skilled at stringing stories together in a Long is skilled at stringing stories together in a way that moves the sermon through the way that moves the sermon through the process.process.

Thomas LongThomas Long

This is the promise of the gospel . . . here This is the promise of the gospel . . . here is how we may live out this promise.is how we may live out this promise. Long presents the text and emphasizes its Long presents the text and emphasizes its

positive witness.positive witness. Then in a series of moves shows how the Then in a series of moves shows how the

witness is applicable in contemporary context.witness is applicable in contemporary context. Long uses contemporary stories, but often Long uses contemporary stories, but often

crafts them in ways that echo the text in an crafts them in ways that echo the text in an image or a phrase.image or a phrase.

Long’s process serves to underline the Long’s process serves to underline the possibility of response to a text’s witness.possibility of response to a text’s witness.

Thomas LongThomas Long

Not this . . . or this . . . or this . . . but this. Not this . . . or this . . . or this . . . but this. Starting with a difficult text or a common, but Starting with a difficult text or a common, but

problematic interpretation.problematic interpretation. Moving through possible paths through the Moving through possible paths through the

text, or problems within the text.text, or problems within the text. Ending with resolution, either from within the Ending with resolution, either from within the

text or in the gospel.text or in the gospel. Long often uses stories in service of each Long often uses stories in service of each

movement, ending with an example of the movement, ending with an example of the positive witness.positive witness.

Thomas LongThomas Long

Here is a prevailing view . . . but here Here is a prevailing view . . . but here is the claim of the gospel. is the claim of the gospel. Beginning with a contemporary opinion, Beginning with a contemporary opinion,

core belief, misinterpretation.core belief, misinterpretation. Offering examples of the prevailing view Offering examples of the prevailing view

and results when it is applied.and results when it is applied. Identifying problems in prevailing view.Identifying problems in prevailing view. Offering answer from text, but with Offering answer from text, but with

contemporary illustration / analogy.contemporary illustration / analogy.

Thomas LongThomas Long

Here is a letter . . . Here is a letter . . . Long identifies a contemporary situation Long identifies a contemporary situation

and speaks to it directly from the text and speaks to it directly from the text or, more generally, the gospel.or, more generally, the gospel.

He may propose an actual or fictional He may propose an actual or fictional recipient of the letter.recipient of the letter.

He may assume the voice of a Biblical He may assume the voice of a Biblical writer.writer.