1.    Allowing Presuppositions to Speak for the Text 
Pastors and Bible teachers can feel pressure when teaching in their local church or to other congregations because they are expected to adhere to how they've been taught or what others in the church expect them to teach. While loyalty to one’s denomination or church is important, it’s essential to remember that our first loyalty is to God’s Word. We are accountable to God, not to the preferences of others. A simple rule of thumb: Dive deep into understanding the text and represent it well.

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2.    Treating Familiar Passages as Already Understood
As Bible teachers, we often revisit passages we've studied and taught before. It can be easy to approach these texts with a sense of familiarity. While we may remember what we've learned from previous studies, it’s critical not to rely solely on old interpretations. Each time we study the Bible, we should approach it with a fresh reverence and an openness to new insights. Even sermons from last year should be revisited and refined whenever possible to ensure they are still relevant and accurate.

 

3.    Becoming Comfortable After Success 
Success in ministry can sometimes lead to complacency. When pastors and Bible teachers hear compliments from the congregation, it’s easy to feel satisfied with the current level of study and preparation. However, it’s important to step back and evaluate our study practices regularly. Many Christians don’t have a strong grasp of the Bible and may be more infatuated with the delivery of the sermon than its spiritual depth. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that God’s Word is being faithfully taught, so people are equipped to grow in their relationship with Him. If our study practices are solid, we can be more confident that the compliments we receive reflect genuine spiritual transformation.

With these common errors out of the way, below is a dynamic and dependable outline to adhere the elements of your study to. There are many ways to write a sermon, and no one-size-fits-all method. However, here’s the format I trust and have found great success using.

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The Essentials of The Sermon Outline

1. Introduction
•    Engage the congregation’s attention.
•    Transition to how the introduction relates to the sermon’s topic or biblical text.
•    Transition to the next segment.

2. Teaching the Scripture
•    Read the passage or verses to be taught.
•    Expound on the text.
•    Transition to the next segment.

3. Providing Personal Experience
•    Offer relevant examples of people who have either succeeded or failed at

      practicing the principles in the passage.
•    Transition to personal application.

4. Personal Application
•    Make the message personal by asking the congregation about their own experiences.
•    Present God’s perspective on sin and the anticipated blessing of obedience.
•    Offer practical tools or guidance on how to practice the principle, supported by Scripture.
•    A transition here is optional.

5. Closing Statements
•    Explain why it matters to obey God and abide by the principles taught.

Let’s break down each of these segments in more detail.

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The Expanded Sermon Format

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1. Introduction: Grabbing Attention
The introduction isn’t meant to lay the foundation of the sermon; it’s about engaging the congregation and drawing them into the learning process. A compelling story is a great way to start. While some pastors often use sports analogies, I recommend using stories that are more personal or emotionally resonant. For example, stories of overcoming illness or surviving abuse can more powerfully set the tone for serious topics and be more relatable to the everyday life of the congregation.
The key is relevance to the Scripture being taught and using and introducing the lesson with a story that you believe most of the congregation can relate to—either directly or indirectly. If you’re teaching about adultery, share a story of a family suffering the consequences of infidelity. How the affair began, the subtle luring from acquaintance to entanglement. If the passage addresses sin, tell of someone who lost themselves to the sin the bible is teaching about and the ongoing impact or consequences of that sin. The introduction should serve as a natural segue into the Biblical lesson, and the more carefully you chose your introduction, the easier the transition will be into teaching the Scripture.

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2. Transitions: Creating Seamless Flow
Transitions are crucial in a sermon. Like each part of the sermon, transitions are an art to be mastered as they play an important part in the flow of the message. A good transition will move the congregation from one segment to the next without disruption, holding them in a place of teachable suspense. A rough transition will distract the congregation, breaking their focus, making your prep and delivery feel unpolished. But effective transitions ensure that God’s message remains central and the audience stays engaged.
For example, if you are transitioning from the introduction to the Scripture, and your introduction was a story about a family affected by infidelity, you could move into the text by saying:

•    “I wonder if David knew the tragedy that would follow his life after seeing Bathsheba on the roof that day and entertaining the sin in his thoughts. What could he have done differently? In today’s text, we’ll explore the story of David and Bathsheba and allow God’s Word to answer that question for us.”
•    Or: “What would’ve happened if the wife in our story had paused to consider the consequences of that sin? Perhaps she could have spoken to King David or had seen him weep before God over his own decision to commit adultery, and seeing how it devastated everyone he loved. What would Bathsheba have warned her about? In today’s text...”

Even a poorly written sermon, as long as it has outstanding transitions, can win over the most seasoned church member. Really mastering the art of the transition will do wonders for your sermon and for what God is trying to say through it.

3. Teaching the Scripture: Bringing the Text to Life
Creating a Storyline
An effective Bible teacher must be a good storyteller who can paint a picture around the text using the history and facts of the ancient time. Before teaching of the Scripture, a surprisingly effective way of bringing the text to life is to dive into the daily life and circumstances of the Biblical characters and creating a storyline for the Scripture to fall into.
Here are some considerations when creating a factual story line. Use your judgement. Only use as much information as is necessary to highlight the Scripture you are teaching. But don’t be shy. Entice your congregation and show them you have really put in the effort for them.
 

Introduce the congregation to the Biblical characters:

•    Consider what the author was experiencing.
•    Who are the other Biblical characters mentioned?
•    How do they participate in the story the Scripture is telling and what  were their motivations?
•    Was it a time when the people were joyous, struggling, and tell why?

Add cultural context and historical background
•    What clothing or jewelry was customary?
•    How did they make a living? 
•    What gods did they worship and how this worship shaped who they were?

Take your congregation on a virtual tour of the region:
•    Describe its landscape and the architecture of the land if applicable. 
•    What season was it? What was the weather possibly like? Using the current weather data from that region could help. 
 

Remember: Your goal is to let the Bible speak as much as possible. The more you can bring the text to life, the more engaged your listeners will be when you teach it. 

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4. Teaching the Scripture

Finally, we come to the Scripture, which is the main event of your sermon. Simply reading the scripture isn’t enough—you must teach it! This is where the iron of your study method, your resulting grasp of the text, and how you were affected personally by the study, or not, is revealed. If the story you have created surrounding the text is elaborate, but your presentation of the Scripture is underwhelming, your deliverance of God’s Word and the spiritual principles within it, which is what matter most, will fall short. 
As a Bible teacher, the success of your career will live or die by these two rules:
First, Study to show yourself approved. 
Test your study method. You are accountable to God Who is the governing authority over your gift and service to His people. To solely trust what you’ve always done or have accepted as adequate is complacency. To effectively study the Bible.
The second is as necessary as the first, A moving sermon is taught by someone who has been moved themselves.
Your passion for God’s Word should be evident in the depth of your study and your own communion with God during it. Whenever we teach the Bible, we teach it from how God has affected us personally. Are you personally moved by the text? Does how God has changed you come through in your sermon?
Help your audience to explore the interesting nuances and surprising treasures within the original language. 

5. Providing Personal Experience
A good sermon is about connection and relationship. God’s teachings are about how we relate to Him and to each other. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). People connect to God’s Word best through relationships and experiences.
While the Bible can sometimes be difficult to relate to, sharing personal experiences or those of others can help. These stories bring God’s Word to life in a way that makes it tangible for the congregation.
In your introduction, you might have used a story to set up the lesson. Now, in this section, use personal examples to solidify the relevance of the Word. Show how others have applied (or failed to apply) the Scripture to their lives, helping everyone see that they, too, are vulnerable to success or failure before God.

6. Personal Application
To make the message personal, ask your congregation introspective questions. By this point, they’ve heard the Scripture explained and experienced stories that connect to it. Now, they need to see how the message applies to them.
Start with probing questions that draw the congregation into self-reflection.

 

For example:
•    “Do you know anyone who has been unfaithful to their spouse? What was the impact on their marriage and children?”
•    Or: “Have you ever been tempted to compromise your integrity in a similar way? How can we avoid the same mistakes?”
 

You might also begin with statistics or facts relevant to the passage, like divorce rates or the effects of sin on families, before transitioning into questions that challenge the congregation to reflect on their own experiences.
 

Here, explain God’s perspective on the topic. What does He say about the sin or principle? What blessings come with obedience?
Finally, offer practical guidance on how to apply the Scripture. Share biblical principles and tools that help people make wise decisions in their daily lives. Encourage spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
 

6. Closing Statements
In your closing statements, briefly emphasize the importance of obedience to God’s Word. Explain why it matters that we follow the principles taught in the sermon. Offer prayer for anyone who feels led to respond, and let them know you are available for further counsel.
Teaching God’s Word carries great responsibility. Whether you’re preaching on Sunday or teaching a smaller group, take every opportunity to ensure your sermon is well-prepared and rooted in sound study. When you dedicate yourself to thorough study and prayer, you can be confident that your sermon will effectively communicate God’s message.
Conclusion
Remember, good study habits are the foundation of effective sermon preparation. If you’re looking to refine your study practices, I encourage you to check out How to Study the Bible Like A Pro!—Teacher’s Edition. This guide offers a practical study method and provides further insights into sermon preparation.

My prayers are with you as you prepare and deliver God’s Word. Do well, and may He bless your ministry!

 

 

Be blessed!

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Robert

CRY OUT Ministries

Helping you know God more deeply through the study of His Word.