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The Keyword method uses three primary kinds of propositions. They are listed here with sample propositions under each.

1. Proposition of Ability 

• Every Christian can experience effective daily prayer.
• The person following Christ can be a learner.
• Sincere spiritual seekers can discover the truth about Jesus Christ. 

2. Proposition of Obligation

• Every Christian should pray daily.
• The disciple of Jesus Christ must be a learner.
• Sincere spiritual seekers must investigate the person of Christ. 

3. Proposition of Value

• It is better to pray daily than to shoulder the load alone.
• It is better to grow in the knowledge of Christ than to remain childish in our faith.
• It is better to investigate the person of Christ than to look elsewhere for spiritual reality.

Although these kinds of propositions seem to say the same thing, especially those of ability and obligation, they do not. One word (can instead of should) leads to an entirely different kind of sermon than the other. The purposes, as well as the basic structures, of the sermons, will be different. The only things they have in common are the subject and theme.

As with the subject and the theme, the text must be allowed to determine the kind of proposition to be used. If the text seems to be answering a "why" question, the proposition should likely be obligatory. If the text is telling us how something is to be done, the proposition should be one of ability. If the text is making a comparison, then a proposition of value may be required. The text should always be allowed to speak for itself. That is the heart of biblical preaching!

Step 4: Compose a Propositional Interrogative
Steps 4, 5, and 6 are unique to the Keyword method and are the steps that lead to the identification of the sermon’s main points, which will be discussed in detail in Step 7.
The first of these steps is to ask a question about the proposition. The proposition makes an assertion, which should lead naturally to a related question. This question is formulated by simply prefacing the proposition with a suitable interrogative like why or how. The proper interrogative will depend on the kind of proposition being used (obligation, ability, or value) and the nature of the material in the text (which question does it answer?).
 
1. With a proposition of ability, the usual interrogative is how.
(When, where, and what can also be used.)
PROPOSITION: Every Christian can experience effective daily prayer.
INTERROGATIVE: How can every Christian experience effective daily prayer?

2. With a proposition of obligation, the usual interrogative is why.
(When, where, and what can also be used.)
PROPOSITION: Every Christian should pray daily.
INTERROGATIVE: Why should every Christian pray daily?

3. With a proposition of value, the usual interrogative is why.
(When and where might also be used.)
PROPOSITION: It is better to pray daily than to shoulder the load alone.
INTERROGATIVE: Why is it better to pray daily than to shoulder the load alone?

The interrogative sentence may or may not be stated during delivery, but it is extremely important as a homiletical tool. It will help the preacher remain focused as he prepares to make the transition from the sermon introduction (to be written later) i

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)