How to Gather and Use Materials

Synopsis

Sermon materials fall into four classes: explanation, argument, illustration, and application. Explanation shows that a proposition is reasonable and Scriptural, drawing chiefly from the Bible itself and secondarily from Christian literature such as commentaries and dictionaries. Argument proves, demonstrates, or infers that a proposition is true or false; twelve practical forms are listed, including deduction, induction, cause-to-effect, effect-to-cause, a fortiori, analogy, tradition, testimony, experience, authority, reductio ad absurdum, and process of elimination, each illustrated from Scripture or daily reasoning. Illustrations are 'the windows of sermons,' letting light into abstract truth through one-word illustrations, analogy, anecdote, and story, drawn from the Bible, science, nature, fiction, poetry, history, and current events. Application or persuasion is what distinguishes a sermon from a lecture; the ideal sermon balances all four materials, since all explanation is dry, all argument contentious, and all illustration merely hortatory. The chapter closes with a practical filing system — an alphabetized card file for developing sermon ideas, texts, and illustrations, with separate files for past sermons and for unattached illustrations, to keep preparation from becoming a Friday-night burden.