Benchmark – Developing a Written Sermon Manuscript
Benchmark – Developing a Written Sermon Manuscript
There are different ways to develop a sermon manuscript or outline. However, for this class, you will develop a 1,000-1,250-word manuscript. This manuscript should not be a narrative about how the sermon in view will be preached; rather, this manuscript should be written in an oral communication style. Although you will not read the manuscript when you present your sermon in Topic 8, the manuscript should nevertheless present all the information needed to understand the flow of thought throughout the sermon.
To complete the sermon manuscript, students should consult the “Example Sermon Manuscript” document, and they should clearly and directly include all the following functional elements in their sermon manuscript:
Introduction (250 words)
The sermon should open with some story, question, statistic, statement, etc., which relates to the main idea of the focal passage and the sermon, and secures the audience’s attention.
The main idea of the focal passage and sermon should be clearly stated in the introduction in one sentence each. These sentences should be highlighted in order to draw attention to them in the manuscript.
A clear transition statement should be included to move the sermon along from the introduction to the body of the sermon.
The Body of the Sermon (500-750 words)
The body of the sermon should clearly follow the major contours of the focal passage for the sermon.
The main points/divisions for the sermon should be stated and highlighted to draw attention to them in the sermon manuscript.
Each main point/division should be a clearly explained in light of its relation to the relevant details of the focal passage for the sermon. These explanations should interact with three to five commentaries and/or study resources for explaining the meaning of the biblical text for the sermon.
Illustrations should appear at relevant points throughout the body of the sermon as appropriate. These illustrations can either serve to help the audience understand the biblical text, and/or they can serve to help the audience understand what some specific and practical applications of the biblical text can look like in their lives.
There should be a clear focus on Christ and the gospel in the sermon. This Christological focus should not be an isolated idea in the sermon; rather, it should saturate every aspect of the sermon in hermeneutically sound ways.
Applications should appear at relevant points throughout the body of the sermon as appropriate. These points of application should be faithful to the meaning of the biblical text, and they should be specific and practical in their focus.
Clear transition statements should be included at appropriate points throughout the body of the sermon to it along in a coherent manner.
Conclusion (250 words)
The conclusion of the sermon should summarize the main idea of the focal passage and sermon. This summary information should be highlighted in order to draw attention to it in the manuscript.
The sermon should conclude with a clear call for the audience to respond to the truth of God’s word by the power of his Spirit.
In addition to using the Bible, three to five commentaries should be used in the development of the sermon manuscript. However, technical, theological wording and concepts should be explained in language that a typical audience without an academic background in biblical studies can understand.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
