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Step 2: Determine the Theme

The subjects listed above are too broad to be covered in a single sermon. Such a sermon, though based on a subject, would lack clear unity and cohesiveness. It is necessary, therefore, to determine how this subject is going to be treated; that is, what specific part of the broad subject is going to be covered?

The theme, then, is the specific aspect of the subject to be covered in the present sermon. Like the subject, the theme will probably be identified during the study of the text. If not, it must be determined now.

Like the subject, the theme must be based on the Scripture passage. As stated earlier, it represents a narrowing down of the broader subject. As such, it will be stated as a phrase. It should not be stated as a complete sentence, for this will cause a problem when the next step is taken.

If, for example, the text under consideration has as its subject “the Holy Spirit,” the preacher will recognize that this concept is too large to cover in one sermon. Further, the text itself does not attempt to cover everything about the subject. The preacher must discover what it is about the Holy Spirit that this particular text emphasizes. Thus, both the subject and the theme will be rooted and grounded in the preaching passage.

Following is a list of possible themes based on the Holy Spirit. This list is not exhaustive:
The person of the Holy Spirit 

• The work of the Holy Spirit 
• The gifts of the Holy Spirit 
• The filling of the Holy Spirit 
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit 
• The helping ministry of the Holy Spirit
• The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit
• The praying ministry of the Holy Spirit
• The sealing of the Holy Spirit
• Grieving the Holy Spirit
• Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
• The fruit of the Holy Spirit

It should be noted that each sermon will have only one subject and one theme. To have more than one subject or theme would result in disunity structurally and confusion on the part of the hearers.

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