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The transitional sentence fully answers the question asked in Step 4. In delivery, it follows the proposition. (The interrogative may be inserted verbally between the proposition and the transitional sentence, but this is not always necessary.) This transitional sentence should consist of the following elements:

1. The response to the propositional interrogative, including the keyword
2. The repeating of the proposition
3. Any additional phrase made necessary by the particular interrogative used:
“Because of. . : “ (Why?)
“By...” (How?)
“In” or “in which...” (When?)
“At” or “at which. . : “ (Where?)
“About which...” (What?)

Example 1
PROPOSITION: Every Christian should pray daily.

(INTERROGATIVE: Why should every Christian pray daily?)
(KEYWORD: Benefits.)
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Because of the benefits to be gained, as seen in [the text], every Christian should pray daily.

Example 2
PROPOSITION: Every Christian should pray daily.

(INTERROGATIVE: What should every Christian pray about daily?)
(KEYWORD: Matters.)
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: As we see in [the text], there are several matters about which we should pray daily.

Example 3
PROPOSITION: Every Christian can experience effective daily prayer.
(INTERROGATIVE: How can every Christian experience effective daily prayer?) (KEYWORD: Guidelines.)
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Every Christian can experience effective daily prayer by following the guidelines set forth in [the text].

The transitional sentence forms a logical bridge between the proposition and the body (main points) of the sermon. Together with the specific proposition (and the interrogative sentence, if the preacher chooses to verbalize it), it becomes the basis of a “transitional paragraph” between the introduction of the sermon and its body. Using the last example above, this transitional paragraph might be stated something like this:

“From our text, then, we can see that every Christian can experience effective daily prayer. But if you’re like me, you may well be asking, ‘How can I do that? How can I have a daily prayer experience that is effective?’ I would respond by saying that we can experience effective daily prayer by following the guidelines set forth in [the text]. Let’s look at these guidelines together. The first guideline is . . . [Then follows the statement of the first main point of the sermon.]”

This transitional paragraph is like the sermon’s homiletical road map¬--it tells where the sermon is going and how it is going to get there. It informs the hearers of the precise central idea about to be discussed (the proposition), and it tells them how this idea is going to be handled (the keyword and the transitional sentence). Furthermore, the propositional interrogative (if used) can heighten the awareness of the listener to the profitability of “staying tuned” to this sermon.

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