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Study 15 of 25

Making Preaching Persuasive

The elements that move a sermon toward a verdict

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

Synopsis

Opening with Charles Bradford's conviction that preaching should 'call for a verdict, a conscious decision, some life-changing reaction,' this appendix analyzes five elements of persuasive preaching: personal passion for the theme (illustrated by Paul's defenses in Acts), relevance of the theme to the listener's actual experience, cohesion of subject development (a sermon must move logically from minor to major points and build emotionally), careful forethought given to psychological method, and clarity of thought, diction and delivery. Sangster's four psychological modes are explained — Authoritative (teacher to class), Persuasive (lawyer to jury), Co-operative (fellow-struggler discovering answers together), and Subversive (devil's advocate, used with great caution). The appendix then details seven elements of an audible, persuasive voice: Breath Control, Articulation, Resonance, Pitch, Inflection, Accent, and Tempo and Pause, quoting Ellen White on breathing from the diaphragm rather than straining the throat. It closes by summarizing earlier lessons on sermon styles, structural patterns, and modes of delivery.

Key points

  • Persuasive preaching calls hearers to a verdict — a conscious, life-changing decision, not mere admiration.
  • The five elements of persuasion: personal passion, relevance, cohesion, psychological method, and clarity.
  • Sangster's four psychological modes are Authoritative, Persuasive, Co-operative, and Subversive.
  • A sermon needs logical and emotional movement, building from minor to major points.
  • The seven elements of an audible voice are Breath Control, Articulation, Resonance, Pitch, Inflection, Accent, and Tempo and Pause.

Key texts

  • Acts (Paul's defenses before the Jews, Felix, and Agrippa)

From the course book

Appendix A — Making Preaching Persuasive · pp. 85-92 (reader pages 85-92) · Open the reader

  • “His message calls for a verdict, a conscious decision, some life-changing reaction.” (p. 85)
  • “Meeting the needs of the congregation gives the message relevance.” (p. 86)
  • “To ensure correct delivery in reading and speaking, see that the abdominal muscles have full play in breathing, and that the respiratory organs are unrestricted.” (p. 89)

Put it into practice

  • Before preparing technique, make sure you yourself are dynamically persuaded of the theme.
  • Check your sermon's argument rises from minor points to a major climax rather than starting on the top rung.
  • Practice diaphragmatic breathing and pause every fifth or sixth word to aid clarity.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What does Charles Bradford say true Adventist preaching should call for?

  2. Comprehension

    2. List the five elements of a persuasive sermon named in this appendix.

  3. Scripture

    3. How does the example of Paul in Acts illustrate 'personal passion for the theme'?

  4. Comprehension

    4. Describe Sangster's four psychological modes of preaching.

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. Why must a sermon's argument move from minor points to the major point rather than starting at the top?

  6. Comprehension

    6. Name the seven elements of an audible and persuasive voice.

  7. Scripture

    7. What does Ellen White's quotation from Education say about breathing while speaking?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast the Authoritative mode with the Co-operative mode of preaching.

  9. Application

    9. Which of the five elements of persuasion is weakest in your own preaching right now?

  10. Application

    10. Try reading a paragraph aloud pausing every fifth or sixth word. What difference does it make to your delivery?