← All studies

Study 09 of 25

How to Construct a Topical Sermon

Five ways to build topical divisions

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

This short chapter lists five convenient ways of constructing a topical sermon's divisions. First, by aspects — displaying the points of view or ways of looking at a subject, as in outlines on 'Prayer' or 'Faith' that ask what, why, how, and what-result. Second, by proofs — stating arguments for a proposition, best for controversial or factual themes, such as proofs of the resurrection or of Christ's Messiahship. Third, by illustrations — advancing Bible incidents, biographies, or church history to illustrate a theme, such as the disciplinary value of delay seen in Moses, Elijah, and Paul. Fourth, by the order of materials used in a sermon — explanation, argument, illustration, and application in sequence — described as a lower order of construction useful for hasty preparation, illustrated by an outline on Christian tithing. Fifth, by analogy — choosing a familiar object or process and treating it part by part with spiritual significance, as in 'The Courtroom of Life' or 'Husbandry of the Christian Life.' The chapter notes analogical form is one of the most attractive kinds of topical sermon.

Key points

  • A topical sermon may be constructed by aspects — the points of view on a subject.
  • It may be constructed by proofs — best for controversial or factual themes.
  • It may be constructed by illustrations drawn from Bible incidents, biographies, or church history.
  • It may be constructed by the order of materials: explanation, argument, illustration, application.
  • It may be constructed by analogy, one of the most attractive forms of topical preaching.

Key texts

  • John 15:1-17

From the course book

How to Construct a Topical Sermon · pp. 45-46 (reader pages 45-46) · Open the reader

  • “A topical sermon may be composed by displaying one by one its aspects; either by simply noting the aspects or by asking questions which will bring out the aspects.” (p. 45)
  • “There are almost an unlimited number of sermon analogies which can be used and analogical form is one of the most attractive forms which can be given to a topical sermon.” (p. 46)

Put it into practice

  • For a controversial theme, build divisions by proofs rather than mere aspects.
  • For a hasty preparation, use the order explanation-argument-illustration-application rather than no plan at all.
  • For a memorable topical sermon, look for a natural analogy that carries spiritual significance part by part.
  1. Comprehension

    1. List the five ways of constructing a topical sermon named in the chapter.

  2. Comprehension

    2. What does 'by aspects' mean, and what outline illustrates it?

  3. Scripture

    3. For what kind of theme is construction 'by proofs' best suited?

  4. Scripture

    4. Give an example of a topical sermon constructed by illustration.

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. Why does the chapter call construction by order of materials 'not a very high order of construction'?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. Explain construction by analogy using 'The Courtroom of Life.'

  7. Contrast

    7. Contrast construction by aspects with construction by analogy.

  8. Comprehension

    8. Why might analogical construction be considered 'one of the most attractive forms'?

  9. Application

    9. Choose a familiar object and sketch a topical outline by analogy for a theme of your choice.

  10. Application

    10. Which of the five methods do you find easiest to prepare quickly, and which best for a controversial subject?