When I go to the store without a list, there's no telling what I'll bring home. Same with preaching. Without a list to go by, there's no telling what I'll deliver.<\/p>\n\t\t
I have a three-by-five card taped to my desk with a list of questions on it. Once I've done my biblical spadework, I break for caffeine, then start in with the first question. I ask these questions every time I prepare a sermon.<\/p>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tIn one sentence, what is this sermon about?<\/em> When, on Tuesday, someone asks, "What are you preaching about Sunday?" I hope I can answer with one clear sentence. It may be similar to the big idea of the text, but it's more relevant.<\/p>\n\t\t \n\t\t\tWhat theological category would this fit under?<\/em> Am I being theologically faithful? If the sermon is not theological, on some level, what is it?<\/p>\n\t\t \n\t\t\tWhat do I want my listeners to know?<\/em> This question causes my sermon to engage the mind. What information does a listener need to know before he or she can act?<\/p>\n\t\t \n\t\t\tWhat do I want them to do?<\/em> This is the application question, which focuses on my listeners' hands and feet. I must be as specific and practical as possible.<\/p>\n\t\t \n\t\t\tWhat do I want them to become?<\/em> Now I'm going for the heart. What attitudes, priorities, and adjustments in lifestyle will this sermon address?<\/p>\n\t\t \n\t\t\tHow does this sermon fit with the larger vision?<\/em> This question helps me focus on the long view: How does this week's message move us toward our long-range goals? How does it fit into our church's vision statement? Is there a cohesiveness with what I've previously preached? A sense of direction?<\/p>\n\t\t