Act II: Quest

Act II is the quiet, persistent workhorse of the three-act plot. Act I grabs attention, introduces conflict and makes promises about where the sermon will lead. Act III gets the thrill of a climactic gospel turn and resolution. Act II inherits the expectations of Act I and carries the longest stretch of the narrative while laying the groundwork for the grand revelation of Act III. It is like a dutiful middle child, living in the shadow of the highly successful older brother while deferring attention and resources to the darling younger sister.

The work of Act II may not be as glamorous, but it is just as essential to the transformation we seek in the story-shaped sermon. It has several important jobs to do.