How To Prepare An Inductive Sermon: I never really understood sermon preparation and structure until seminary and ministry. I learned inductive and deductive methods of sermon preparation at seminary but it wasn’t until I began my preaching ministry that I developed an inductive model for preaching.
To develop an inductive model for preaching, I needed to understand and apply three fundamental truths. I needed to understand what is the inductive method of sermon preparation, how do I apply an inductive method to sermon preparation and why use the inductive method for sermon preparation?
How To Prepare An Inductive Sermon?
I have been preaching weekly sermons for nearly thirty-years or so. During this time I have developed a deductive model and an inductive model for sermon preparation.
I use structure to deliver weekly sermons and I have built those structures around deductive and inductive models.
When I teach students homiletics, I encourage them to understand the difference between deductive and inductive models for sermon preparation. Why? It helps them (and me) to deliver the biblical information in a cohesive and sequential manner.
1. What is the Inductive Model?
The best way to explain the inductive model is to compare it with the deductive model.
A deductive model begins with the main preaching point followed by sub-points and incidental points. The deductive model usually follows the pattern of a sermon introduction, a sermon body and a sermon conclusion.
A deductive sermon from Ephesians 6:14-17 may look like this: This morning I want to discuss the topic of spiritual battles that we face as we journey through life as a Christian. I want to look at six truths we must consider if we are going to stand firm in the spiritual battles of life. These truths are: we need to live truthfully (6:14a), live righteously (6:14b), live steadfastly (6:15), live faithfully (6:16), live confidently (6:17a) and live Scripturally (6:17b).
An inductive model takes the audience on a journey by presenting loosely associated ideas and narrowing down those ideas to a main idea in order to present an important message.
An Inductive sermon from 2 Peter 1:1-4 may look like this: The world is falling apart and at the same time, the church is crumbling around us. At times we may feel total despair but we have the key to turn it around – spiritual growth (1 Peter 1:2). Spiritual growth involves a path of faith (1:1), a provision of power (1:3) and a promise of enablement (1:4). Let’s grow spiritually so that we can make a difference in the world and the church.
Let me define the inductive model in one sentence from the above example. The inductive model takes several associated ideas and narrows down those ideas to a single point in order to deliver an important message.
If you tend to preach inductively on a regular basis, you will need a structure or model to package the biblical information in order to deliver it to your audience. That’s what I will look at now: How to Prepare an Inductive Sermon?
2. How To Prepare An Inductive Sermon?
Once you understand the inductive model for sermon preparation, you need to apply the inductive model to writing sermons.
You will need to find or develop a structure that will allow you to take loosely associated ideas and narrow down those ideas to a single point in order to deliver an important message.
Let me share with you three different models and their stages for crafting an inductive sermon.
A. Lowry’s Loop Model
I have adopted Lowry’s Loop Model as one way to structure an inductive sermon. Lowry has explained this model in his book: “The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form” (Check it out at Amazon Books). Lowry’s Loop model has five stages.
OOPS – Upsetting the Equilibrium
The OOPS stage provides tension as a form of introduction to the message which you want to convey to the audience.
The tension should create interest to engage the audience and create a need to resolve the issues at hand.
UGH – Analysing the Discrepancy
The UGH stage is where you analyse the tension so that you can create movement toward the resolution.
AHA – Disclosing the Clue to Resolution
The AHA stage is where you build the bridge between tension and resolution.
This is where you skilfully take the audience to the resolution by shining a different light on the situation.
WHEE – Experiencing the Gospel
The WHEE stage involves the God factor in the whole experience.
YEAH – Anticipating the Consequences
The YEAH stage is where you deal with the reaction of the audience in relation to the WHEE stage. If God has done this great thing, how should we react?
SUMMARY: Lowry’s Loop Model is one model I use to present an inductive message. This is the model I used to present 2 Peter 1:1-4 (see below).
Let me show you the deductive outline of Ephesians 6:14-17 and the inductive outline of 2 Peter 1:1-4. You can clearly see the difference!
A DEDUCTIVE OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS 6:14-17
Introduction:
There are six TRUTHS we must consider if we are going to stand firm in the spiritual battles in our Christian walk. They are…
1. We need to live truthfully (6:14a)
- Truthful living begins with preparation
- Truthful living is based in God’s truth
2. We need to live righteously (6:14b)
- Righteous living protects us
- Righteous living is living for God
3. We need to live steadfastly (6:15)
4. We need to live faithfully (6:16)
- Faithful living shelters us
- Faithful living is simply trusting Jesus
5. We need to live confidently (6:17a)
6. We need to live Scripturally (6:17b)
- It is a defensive weapon
- It is an offensive weapon
Conclusion:
AN INDUCTIVE OUTLINE OF 2 PETER 1:1-4
1. The world is falling apart (OOPS)
2. And the church is crumbling around us (UGH)
3. But we are able to turn it around – spiritual growth (AHA)
4. Spiritual growth is God’s key to turning it around (WHEE)
- It begins with the path of faith (1:1)
- It continues with the provision of power (1:3)
- It is maintained with the promise of enablement (1:4)
5. Let’s grow spiritually and make difference in the church and in the world (YEAH)
[NOTE] With the deductive model, I begin the sermon by introducing the topic, which is standing firm in the spiritual battles of life. I then explain the topic with six truths, which are the sub-points. I also expand and explain the sub-points with incidental points. I conclude the with a conclusion.
[NOTE] With the inductive model, I take the audience on a journey of discovery from tension to resolution with a challenge to grow spiritually so that they can make a difference in the church and the world.
B. Stanley’s Inductive Model
Stanley has provided an inductive model that will help structure an inductive sermon outline. Stanley’s model provides five stages also. You can learn more about these five stages in Stanley’s book, “Communicating For A Change” (Check it out at Amazon Books). These are the five stages of Stanley’s Inductive Model.
ME – Here is a problem I have or have had
The ME stage sets the scene to engage the audience by building common ground. Often audiences listen when preachers share their struggles and weaknesses in the opening monologue.
WE – Here is how this affects all of us
The WE stage broadening the scene to include everyone listening. You want the audience to connect to your introduction by saying: “Yeah, me too!”
For example: “Sometimes I wonder why I even bother praying (ME). I bet you’ve wondered about that as well (WE)” (Stanley).
GOD – Here is what the Bible says about this problem
The GOD stage looks at God’s thoughts about the problem or situation. This is where the Bible speaks precisely and concisely about the problem or situation.
YOU – Here is what you should do
The YOU stage is where the preacher tells the audience what to do – the application stage.
This is where you answer the questions: “so what?” and “now what?”
WE – Here is what would happen if we all dis this
The final WE stage is really about vision casting. That is, you give the audience a verbal picture of what it would look like if everyone put the application into practice.
For example: Just imagine what would happen if everyone would get down on their knees and asked God to change their lives, to allow everyone to think of others rather than themselves! Just imagine the changes that would take place in our homes, churches, work places, community and country! It starts with you and me!
AN INDUCTIVE OUTLINE USING STANLEY’S INDUCTIVE MODEL
I have never preached 2 Peter 1:1-4 using Stanley’s Inductive Model; however, for illustrative purposes only, I will try to outline 2 Peter 1:1-4 using Stanley’s Inductive Model.
1. Sometimes, I wonder why is the world falling apart and the church crumbling? (ME)
2. I bet you’ve wonder the same thing as well (WE)
3. God’s key to turning it around is spiritual growth (GOD)
- It begins with the path of faith (1:1)
- It continues with the provision of power (1:3)
- It is maintained with the promise of enablement (1:4)
4. You can turn the situation around by growing spiritually (YOU)
5. Just imagine what would happen if our church, our families and our community were committed to spiritual growth! (WE)
C. Kelley’s Inductive Model
Kelley has formulated a model to outline inductive sermons for what he calls a “sticky sermon.”
In many ways, it is simply another way to present a bible truth inductively. His approach is very similar to Lowry and Stanley. The only difference is that he uses six stages for his inductive sermon outline. You can read more about Kelley’s Inductive Model from his book: “Preaching Sticky Sermons” (Check it out at Amazon Books). Here are Kelley’s six stages.
ENGAGE – Engage The Audience
The ENGAGE stage is where you engage your audience with a story, interesting facts or a provocative quote.
TENSION – State The Problem
You share a story to engage the audience. In this process, you raise a problem in order to create tension.
The tension is one way to draw your audience in so that you can give them an opportunity to anticipate a resolution.
TRUTH – Embrace The Bible
This is the stage where you go to the Bible for answers to resolve the problem. This is where you point people to God’s word in order to show them God’s will and God’s way.
APPLICATION – Apply The Truth
Once you have shown your audience God’s truth in relation to the problem (what it means), you will now apply that truth to your audience (what it means to you).
INSPIRATION – Cast The Vision
This is where you draw a picture of what would happen if everyone put the truth into practice.
ACTION – Take The Step
This is where you reiterate what the audience needs to do. In other words, you spell it out to them in plain language.
INDUCTIVE OUTLINE USING KELLEY’S INDUCTIVE MODEL
Again I have never used Kelley’s Inductive Model to preach 2 Peter 1:1-4; however, for illustrative purposes only, I will try to outline 2 Peter 1:1-4 by using Kelley’s Inductive Model.
1. The world is falling apart (Engage)
2. And the church seems to be crumbling (Tension)
3. God has the key to turn it around – spiritual growth (Truth)
- It begins with the path of faith (1:1)
- It continues with the provision of power (1:3)
- It is maintained with the promise of enablement (1:4)
4. You can turn it around by growing spiritually (Application)
5. Just imagine what would happen if everyone decided to grow spiritually (Inspiration)
6. You can turn it around by growing spiritually but it requires total commitment (Action)
3. Why Use the Inductive Model?
There are two fundamental reasons why the inductive model is used more and more today.
First, it is a fresh approach in packaging biblical information for delivery to the audience.
The inductive model captures the audience’s attention in order to take them on an interesting journey to a single biblical truth that has a very important message – a message that will change their lives for God.
Second, it is a focused approach for teaching through the narratives in Scripture.
Narratives usually tell a story with a single truth and the inductive model can hammer home that message with power.