Homiletical Conclusions
Almost there …
If you have followed the sequence of steps from text to sermon that I have presented on this site, you have probably noticed that there are a lot of steps! First, we secured the “Bible-based” foundation of the sermon through a process of studying the historical and literary context, considering the genre, analyzing the structure, examining the words, and verifying and expanding our findings through good research. Then, we sought to establish the “gospel-driven” quality by processing the meaning of the text through four theological reflection questions.
We have one more very important step before beginning to shape our sermon. As we have mentioned, there are two points in the process where we need to pause to summarize our work. First, the Exegetical Conclusions summarize the fruits of our study of the text by defining the “Central Idea,” a “Summary Statement,” and “Major Emphases” of the text. Now we summarize the fruits of our gospel-driven theological reflection in the Homiletical Conclusions.
As you can see, these Homiletical Conclusions are the last stop before we begin the actual work of shaping the sermon. As a matter of fact, we could say that the Homiletical Conclusions mark the starting point for building the sermon.
What is the job of the Homiletical Conclusions?
The first task at this stage is to summarize our theological reflection on the text by stating its meaning in contemporary terms. Note the distinction between this step and the prior Exegetical Conclusions. First, based on our study of the text, we stated what the text meant. Now, based on our reflection, we state what the text means.
The second job of the Homiletical Conclusions is to provide a clear substructure or framework for the sermon. Here we are establishing the destination for the sermon, if not the roadmap that it will follow. Once we have these homiletical conclusions, we know where we are going.
Finally, the Homiletical Conclusions provide us with key statements that will actually be used in the sermon itself. Title will provide the first impression of what the sermon is about. The “Big Idea” or “Controlling Idea” will provide the guiding principle as we build the sermon and ultimately the climax of the sermon as we preach. The “Movement Statements” or “Supporting Ideas” will also appear within the sermon, either as key signposts along the way or as clarifying statements to support the Big Idea.
Stating the Homiletical Conclusions
Given the important role that these conclusions play within the sermon we will want to work hard to state them well. Here are some specific guidelines:
Title: A phrase, between two and six words in length, expressing the subject of the sermon in a concise, contemporary and attention-grabbing manner.
Controlling Idea/Big Idea of the Sermon: A complete sentence, stated in the present tense and in contemporary terms, summarizing the meaning of the sermon for contemporary hearers, without listing its individual parts.
Movement Statements/Supporting Ideas of the Sermon: Complete sentences which express in clear, contemporary and concise terms the various ideas or concepts of the sermon related to the subject (title) and contained but not listed in the Controlling Idea.
You may notice some key recurring words in these descriptions … present tense, clear, concise, contemporary. Since these items will be integral to the structure of your sermon, you want them to be crisp and memorable – statements that will stick in the minds of your hearers. Ideally, we would like them to be able to recall and think about them during the week.
These statements should also be interrelated in some way, either conceptually or through words or phrases that are shared among them. For example, the title might be a question, and the Controlling Idea the answer. Movement statements might be stated in a parallel manner, sharing a key phrase (stated or implied) among them, or providing different facets of an answer to an overarching question. There is room for a lot of creativity, but the question you need to ask before you are done is, “Will my hearers see the connection among all of these elements and find it easy to grasp and recall the essence of the sermon?”
The Relationship Between Homiletical and Exegetical Conclusions
You may have noticed that there is some correspondence between these and the statements you crafted for the Exegetical Conclusions. This is intentional. The Central Idea of the Text corresponds to the Title of the Sermon. The Summary Statement of the Text corresponds to the Controlling Idea of the Sermon. The Major Emphases of the Text correspond to the Supporting Ideas of the Sermon.
This sequence and process of developing Exegetical and Homiletical Conclusions is crucial for one simple reason: it assures that the message of the sermon is the message of the text – that the sermon says what the text says. And it says it in a way that brings the ancient meaning forward to fresh expression in the present.
Well-developed Homiletical conclusions are critical to the clarity and unity of your sermon. Allow yourself time to ponder them, tweak them, make adjustments over a period of several days. As your thoughts mature, your sermon will improve and your communication will land ever more effectively in the minds and hearts of your hearers.
