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Sermon Outlines

Sermon Outlines

I have found sermon outlines are the key to writing sermons with ease.

Once I mastered sermon outlines, I found writing sermons a pleasure. Sermon outlines are the road maps for your sermons. I never write a sermon until I have put together the sermon outline.

There are three basic types of sermon outlines that I have mastered in order to write sermons with ease. There are deductive sermon outlines, inductive sermon outlines and a bit of both, that is, deduction and induction in the same sermon outline.

People often ask: “What is the difference between deductive sermon outlines and inductive sermon outlines?” Knowing these differences and mastering the different structures will make sermon writing much easier.

Let me show you how to master these different types of sermon outlines.

How To Write A Deductive Sermon Outline

The best way to master the different sermon outlines is to keep in mind the KISS principle (Keep It Super Simple).

A deductive sermon outline begins with the main preaching point followed by sub-points and incidental points.

Below is an example of a deductive sermon outline. You can find more information about this sermon outline by clicking on the following link – How To Write A Deductive Sermon Outline. This sermon outline is from Romans 1:1-7.

There are three ways for sharing Christ with great enthusiasm. They are…

  1. We need to have the right heart (1:1) Three examples:

    1. Paul knew he belonged to Christ (1:1a)
    2. Paul knew he was sent by Christ (1:1b)
    3. Paul knew he was set apart to preach the gospel (1:1c)

  2. We need to have the right goal (1:2-4) Two goals:

    1. Paul’s goal was to make Christ known (1:2-4)
    2. Paul’s goal was to make Christ known through the preaching of the gospel (1:3-4)

  3. We need to have the right challenge (1:5-7) The challenges:

    1. For Paul, the challenge was to bring people to faith (1:5)
    2. For us, the challenge is the same (1:6-7)

Click here for another example of a deductive sermon outline.

How To Write An Inductive Sermon Outline

The inductive sermon outline is the opposite of the deductive sermon outline. With the inductive sermon outline, you begin with the incidental sub-points and move towards the main preaching point.

Below is an example of an inductive sermon outline using Lowry’s Loop. For more information relating to Lowry’s Loop, click on the following link Lowry’s Loop – The Induction Method. This sermon outline is from Genesis 22:1-19.

  1. What happens when your stability in life is shattered?
  2. Abraham’s stability was shattered by one request (22:1-2)
  3. Nevertheless, he obeyed God immediately without question (22:3-8)
  4. In fact, he put God first in his life even before his son, Isaac (22:9-10)
  5. But God intervened and saved the day by providing a needed sacrifice (22:11-14)
  6. So God greatly blessed Abraham and his descendants in light of his act of worship (22:15-19)

How To Write A Sermon Outline With A Bit of Both

Below is a sermon outline that is mostly induction; however, there is also deduction. For more information relating to this sermon outline, click on the following link – Homiletics. This sermon outline comes from Romans 10:14-21.

  1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that no reasonable person could refuse (Romans 10:15b)

  2. And yet, many people do refuse to heed the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:16-21)

    3. Why did Israel not obey the message of the gospel?

    1. It was not because they did not hear it (10:18)
    2. It was not because they did not understand it (10:19)
    3. It was not because God did not love them (10:21)
    4. It seems they simply refused to respond to the message of the gospel(10:16)

  3. However, we must not give up preaching the gospel in spite of people refusing to respond to it

  4. After all, it is through the preaching of the gospel that we give people an opportunity to respond to it in faith (Romans 10:14-15, 17)

  5. You know, that same gospel message is available to you today.

  6. Will you respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ in faith?

Once you have mastered these different types of sermon outlines, you will find sermon writing a pleasure. I would encourage you to take time to master these methods of constructing sermon outlines.