Send us a text

Although the skeletal outline is now in place, the major part of the writing of the sermon still remains. The “meat” must now be put on the “bones.” This will be done as subpoints are formulated and appropriate illustrations added. When the introduction and conclusion are written, the sermon will then be completed.

Just as the main points establish the sermon’s proposition, so the subpoints establish the main points. There are three main categories of subpoints: explanation, exemplification, and accentuation.

Explanation involves clarifying ideas, words, or concepts.
Exemplification means giving understandable examples of the truth being explained. Accentuation entails emphasizing that truth.

Explanation is an attempt to clarify; exemplification is an attempt to prove, and accentuation is an attempt to clinch the idea. It is a form of oral underlining.

Subpointing can be done in several ways. Sometimes a sermon will employ only one method, but on other occasions, a sermon may use more:
1. Subpointing can be done by “exposing” the text through: 

• Exegetical study
• Modifiers in the mechanical layout 
•  Definitions and word studies 
• Contextual considerations

2. Subpointing can be done by “questioning” the text: Why? When? Who? Where? What? How? So what?

3. Subpointing can be done by considering the natural relationships between larger 
concepts and their parts. Perry speaks of these as “thought categories.

• If the main point is biographical, the preacher might consider the following: Roots Career Personality Achievements Failures Name Relation to God
• If the main point is related to an event, the natural lesser categories might be: Time Place Causes Effects
• If the main point is related to time, the subpoints might be: Past Present Future Other concepts such as relationships, miracles, parables, doctrines, and speeches all have lesser ideas that are natural parts of the whole. In fact, virtually all concepts can be broken down into sub-ideas.

4. Subpointing can be done with formal reasoning: 
     a. Deductive reasoning (syllogism) this kind of reasoning moves from a general 
           truth to specific truth.
     b. Inductive reasoning - this kind of reasoning moves from specific examples to a general conclusion.

The following recommendations may prove helpful in this part of the sermon’s preparation:

• If possible, the primary subpoints under each main point should be stated in a parallel fashion. 
• The immediate preaching text and context should be gleaned for helpful material before additional Scriptures are searched for further supporting materials. 
• At least one subpoint of application under each main point should be included. These applications should be as specific as possible. (While this recommendation does not apply to some sermon methods, it does fit most Keyword sermons.)
• During delivery, the subpoints should not be numbered aloud. This can create difficulty for the listener in differentiating between subpoints and main points. If there is sufficient reason to present subpoints in the form of a numbered list, care should be taken to ensure that the audience understands what is happening.

Our website is: https://preachingmatters.buzzsprout.com/

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and T

Support the show

Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at [email protected].

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