How To Prepare Expository Sermon Outlines: I have been preparing weekly sermons for about thirty-years or so and I still find the process requires time and effect even though it is much easier these day to write expository sermon outlines.
To write expository sermon outlines and expository sermons, you will require at least a rudimentary understanding of the characteristics of expository sermons. In this article, I will give a succinct definition of an expository sermon, the need for expository sermon outlines, several tips for preparing expository sermon outlines and a couple of examples for you to follow.
How To Prepare Expository Sermon Outlines
To keep it super simple, expository sermons expound the Scriptures verse by verse. I tend to teach through books of the Bible verse by verse using the expository method.
Furthermore, I use expository sermon outlines to organize the information I glean from the verses or passage of Scriptures in order to deliver that information and its applications to my audience in a coherent and sequential way.
The following six tips help me organize and write expository sermon outlines and expository sermons.
1. I start with prayer
I know this is a given but it is important to start with prayer because it prepares our heart for study (1 Peter 2:1-2) and it clears our mind for clarity and insight into God’s word (Psalm 119:18).
After all, we are expounding God’s word in a preaching format so that we can deliver a godly message to our audience.
2. I study God’s word
I preach through books of the Bible so I tend to begin with a brief overview of the book like: who wrote the book, the purpose of writing the book and the major heading or themes in the book. You can generally get this information in good commentaries.
Here is a brief outline of the book of Romans that I prepared before I preached through Romans verse by verse: To outline the book of Romans, I used six main headings of Salutation (1:1-17), Sin (1:18-3:20), Salvation (3:31-5:21), Sanctification (6:1-8:39), Sovereignty (9:1-11:36) and Service (12:1-16:27).
I generally preach a portion of Scripture that covers one main idea or topic. To give you an example, when I preached through the book of Romans, I divided Romans 12 into four messages (12:1-2; 3-8; 9-13 and 14 -21) knowing that these messages would come under the heading or theme of service.
When I study the individual texts of Scripture, I usually diagram the original language or I sketch a mechanical layout of the passage of Scripture. This helps organize the material within the passage of Scripture.
When you sketch a mechanical layout of the text in Romans 12:1-2, you will notice that the apostle Paul exhorts his readers to devote their lives to God by giving themselves totally to God (12:1), by putting aside the trappings of the world (12:2a) and by allowing God to shape one’s thinking (12:2b).
When you sketch a mechanical layout of the text in Romans 12:3-8, you will discover that the apostle Paul draws three principles for serving God and others and these three principles involve a humble spirit (12:3), a recognition of differing roles (12:4-5) and a recognition of differing gifts (12:6-8).
If you are going to learn how to prepare expository sermon outlines, then you will need to learn how to sketch mechanical layouts of the Scriptures. This may seem hard work at first but after years of sermon preparation, I can do this in my head now.
Remember! The mechanical layout helps you understand and organize the material in the text so that you can prepare expository sermon outlines.
3. I search commentaries
I usually have a notebook to organize my thoughts and information I get from the mechanical layout of the text of Scripture.
Commentaries make sure that I have interpreted the Scriptures correctly. If I am thinking something different to what many commentaries are saying, then I will check to make sure I am on the right track.
I usually purchase and read about ten different single volume commentaries relating to the passage of Scripture.
It is while I am reading these commentaries that I may add information to my notes. I like to read commentaries that give historical background to the text. I’m not a historian so commentaries help fill in the gaps for me. Also I like to read commentaries that are exegetical in nature so that I can get as much information as I can about the text.
4. I sketch the expository sermon outline
At this stage, I have organized my thoughts and biblical information in my notebook. What I do next is that I take my thoughts and information and begin to sketch an expository sermon outline.
We all do this differently to some degree. However, I usually organize a sermon outline around three defining parts: the main preaching point, the sub-points and incidental points and the key word or hinge word.
A. The Main Preaching Point
The main preaching point of an expository sermon outline is the topic of the sermon or big idea of the sermon or main subject of the sermon.
In Romans 12:1-2, I developed the topic around the subject of our devotion to God and I asked the question: “How can I devote my life totally to God?”
B. The sub-points and incidental points
The sub-points expand and explain the main preaching point. In Romans 12:1-2, I crafted three sub-points. We devote our lives to God by giving ourselves totally to God, by putting aside the trappings of the world and by allowing God to shape our thinking.
The incidental points also expand and explain the sub-points. Under sub-point one, I noted two incidental points. The reason we give ourselves totally to God is because it is the right response and it is the basis for spiritual worship (see below for complete sermon outline).
C. The key word or hinge word
The key word or hinge word is a word that allows the sub-points to swing from the main preaching point. For example: There are three ways we get devote our lives totally to God. The first way involves giving ourselves totally to God. The second way involves putting aside the trappings of the world and the third way involves allowing God to shape our thinking. The key word or hinge word must be a plural noun.
5. I script the expository sermon outline into a manuscript
Once I have finished the expository sermon outline, I usually write content to the expository sermon outline with illustrations and applications.
I never write content to the sermon outline until I am satisfied with the structure of the expository sermon outline – the main preaching point is right, the sub-points and incidental points are right and the key word is perfect.
When I finish writing content to the sermon outline, I write the introduction and the conclusion.
6. I scribble on the expository sermon manuscript
In this phase, I simply mark-up the manuscript for preaching. I usually do this the night before I preaching the expository sermon so that it is fresh in my mind.
If you want to learn more about “How To Write Expository Sermon Outlines,” you can click on this link – 7 Best Books on Expository Preaching!