CPC - Caringbah Presbyterian Church

This document was put together to help the Elders and theological students in sermon preparation

A. Exegetical Task

1. Getting Started (60 min )

1.1 Read the larger context

·          Genre – is it poetry? Is it Narrative? Is it a letter?

·          How does this portion of Scripture function in the book/bible?

1.2 Read the passage repeatedly

1.3 Make your own translation (optional)

2. Structural Analysis (40 min)

2.1 Analyse the structure.

2.2 Look for literary Markers  

·          Significant words in English or Greek  (therefore, for, because, words introducing clauses etc) 

2.3 Important to do a flow of text diagram.

·          This allows you to follow the argument, reasoning or story and to make literary decisions on what the big idea and main points are.

3. Matters of Content (90 min)

3.1 Check significant textual issues

·          Check commentaries or compare translations in English to see translation issues

3.2 Note any grammar issues

·          Unusual words, phrases, tenses including purpose or causal clauses

3.3 Make a list of key words

·          Use dictionary lexicon etc

4. Contextual Questions (30mins)

4.1 Investigate cultural historical matters as they relate to the text

·          Customs, history, places etc

·          Life and Church situation

4.2    Salvation history setting

·          Where are we in salvation history?

4.3    Passage used in systematic theology

·          Important doctrinal issues?

5. Write down your initial thoughts (20min)

5.1 Write down your big idea (only one)

5.2 write down your main points (two, three or more)

6. Secondary Literature (40mins)

6.1 Commentaries

·          Check to see if you are on the right track. Pick up ideas, main points and synthesis them into your initial thoughts

6.2 Other literature

·          Others sermons or article son this text

B. Moving from Exegesis to Sermon

7. Construct an outline (15 min)

7.1 This will be the synthesised and sharpened version of your initial thoughts (point 5)

·          Your big idea and main points

8. Construct the Sermon (6 hours)

11.1 Write your sermon. The whole sermon must serve the Big idea. It must introduce, articulate, illustrate and demonstrate the Big idea.

·          Your introduce it in the opening illustration/ statement/question etc

·          You articulate it through the main points of your sermons

·          You illustrate it through similes, illustrations and anecdotes

·          You demonstrate it through various applications

·          You hammer it home in your conclusion

9.  Application (60 mins)

9.1 Clarify the possible nature and are of application

9.2 Identify the audience and categories of application.

·          Something to be seen or judged (mind)

·          Something to be felt or stirred (heart)

·          Something to be done or changed (will)

10. Ready to preach your sermon

10.1 Read/preach your sermon at home in the office several times

10.2 Make any adjustments and preach it again

10.3 Pray that God would be pleased to empower your preaching and bless His people

10.4 Pray for grace to repent and apply to your own situation