| SUBJECT: Sermonette Givers QUESTION: What information, instructions, suggestions and guidelines do you have for sermonette givers? ANSWER: How to Give Effective Sermonettes Sermonette Content: Sermonette givers should strive to feed the flock from the “trunk of the tree." It is important that preaching be meat from the Word of God; basic doctrines, Christian Living, and Godly Truth. Message Guidelines: This section is only for the purpose of suggestion: It was created to help message givers to keep their messages close to basic doctrines and truth of God from His Word. John 6:63 The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. John 21:15 Feed my lambs. Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Suggested Topics: Note that many of these topics are very broad for sermonettes so the speaker must strive to choose one specific “sub-topic” within these listed topics. God Faith Gospel Biblical Covenants Healing Fellowship Psalms Peace Bible Study Matthew 18 Courage Encouragement God’s Will Bible Repentance Resurrections Commandments The Church Relationships Proverbs Longsuffering Fasting Belief/Believe Character Endurance Gossip Jesus Christ Baptism Judgment Annual Holy Days Mankind Marriage The Family Gentleness Meditation Blessings Money/Steward Enthusiasm Grace Holy Spirit Laying on of Hands Law of God Tithing Angelic Realm Children Love Goodness Revelation Thankfulness Dedication Forgiveness Honor Salvation Kingdom of God Principles of God Sin Giving Ministry Joy Prayer Sermon on Mount Giving/Caring Honesty Goals Judging Leadership Morality Praise Productivity Quality Righteousness Sickness Stubbornness Testing Weaknesses Light Offense Preparation Promise (s) Quarrels Sacrifice Sincerity Success Toleration Witnessing Loyalty Opportunities Ride Protection Reputation Satan Spiritual Gifts Suffering Trust The Work Lying Parents Priorities Purify Resentment Return of Christ Spiritual Growth Teamwork Unfairness Worship Mercy Patience Procrastination Purpose Respect Serving Strength Temptation Unity Zeal As stated, these are the broad topic ideas. The sermonette must be generated out of these broad topics. Let me give you an example using the broad topic of “Jesus Christ.”: Now the best sermonette giver could never expect to even scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ, but he can give a very good sermonette by taking one small aspect of Him and expanding on it. I once gave a year-long series of sermonettes under the specific purpose of “Putting On Christ”. In each sermonette I discussed two elements of the make-up or character of Jesus Christ with the admonition to make these elements a part of your life. Notice the first 3 of these sermonettes I gave: Sermonette 1 Point 1: Christ had a mission and He stuck to it. Point 2: Jesus kept in constant contact with His Father. Sermonette 2 Point 3: He believed in Himself. Point 4: Christ had internal anchors Sermonette 3 Point 5: He guarded His energy. Point 6: Christ did the difficult things. The SPS (specific purpose statement) for each was short and to the point: “Put on Christ” In each sermonette I never had the congregation turn to more than 3 scriptures even though I may have referred to one more scripture by quoting it. Each sermonette never exceeded 12 minutes. General Structure: Every sermonette should have the following elements: A Clear Succinct SPS Rule of thumb: State the SPS as you come out of the introduction. Make it as short as possible. Can you state it in 6 words? How about 5 words? I like to strive for 3 word SPS statements like… God is there. Put on Christ. Go to your brother. Read the book. Pray without ceasing. Guard your tongue. Conquer Fear. Count your blessings. Give all to God. Never stop giving. Try to repeat the SPS 2 to 4 times in the body of the sermonette. Have a congregation-grabbing introduction. The introduction must be interesting enough to peak their interest right away. It must also do one other thing……lead them directly to your SPS. I have found that the most effective introductions are painted pictures. Begin with an interesting story, an analogy, a parable, a narration or some astounding or mysterious facts. It can also be as simple as painting a picture for your audience. Some find that a good question works as an audience grabber. A thoughtfully phrased question can immediately start the audience thinking and then you can lead them directly to a clear, short, concise Specific Purpose Statement. Structure the Body The most effective way I have found to structure the body is to compose it in modular sections or parts. There are several reasons for this. It lends itself to smoother flow of words and facts. It is easier to present. It is easier to learn and retain. It is easier to insert repeats of the Specific Purpose Statement. If the Body of your sermonette is one large section, you run the risk of losing the audience in an avalanche of rhetoric. To be interesting, the audience needs time to breathe and take in what you just said. They also need to be reminded of what your point is. Remember, they are taking notes while they are trying to listen. Breaking the Body into smaller coordinated pieces or parts allows you to effectively use voice variation, change the speed of your flow and to repeat your SPS. Each section is full of energy, excitement, and verbal punch. Each section proves or demonstrates your SPS. This is true whether you are informing, inspiring or persuading. There are a number of presentation types that lend itself to modular section structure. Compose a Conclusion The best conclusions are quotations that summarize or drive home your SPS. Another great conclusion is a specific Bible verse that summarizes your SPS and offers that last measure of proof and truth. Another effective method is to use an emotional perspective or plea. A method that is always effective is to use the name of Christ, God or the Kingdom of God as an element of my conclusion because most every sermonette subject has its roots in these three most important elements of Life and Spiritual Growth. Pray that Christ speaks through you. Throughout the Bible, we are exhorted to pray to God for guidance and for power. After all the research and study and preparation, we are, in fact, preparing ourselves to be sued by God and Christ. True speaking success comes from the person that can fill himself with his subject then allow Christ to present the sermonette and fill those in the audience. Sermonette Guidelines for the Feast of Tabernacles Following are some guidelines that were published by me and given to a local man here in Seattle that will be giving his first sermonette at a Feast site. He gives sermonettes here locally. These guidelines are good anytime and not just at the Feast. Checklist for Feast Sermonettes A sermonette is defined as everything that happens from the time you get out of your seat until to sit down again after the sermonette is given. General Do Accentuate the Positive Sermonette is joyous Sermonette is happy Sermonette is ebullient (enthusiastic, lively) Sermonette is uplifting Sermonette is inspiring Do Preach to the membership (not others) Do Preach the truth Do Preach love and forgiveness Do Think about the needs of the audience Do Give them something tangible to take home. Do Offer scriptural advice and inspiration. Do Speak at the 8th grade level. Make it simple Do Not Have anything negative Do Not Have even one negative comment Do Not Convince anyone to come over to the ICG Do Not Single out an individual’s personal problems Do Not Exaggerate Do Not Use radically descriptive terms Do Not Use radically offensive terms Do Not Say anything that could be considered sexist Do Not Say anything that could be considered racial Do Not Say anything that could be considered political Do Not Use any scatological references (references to excrement; human waste) Preparation Do Study your subject—Do a study paper on the subject. Do Know your subject Do Narrow it down—must fit SPS Do Give something that will be remembered Do Use anecdotes OR analogies OR stories Do Use difficult scriptures (explain one) Do Talk or greet as many people as you can the day you speak. Do Make great notes or even script the sermonette. Do Double check all Bible verses Do Use King James unless you are going for clarity, then state your reasons for the other version or translation Do Not Use philosophical concepts Do Not Use theories Do Not Use broad spiritual principles which are too broad for the time you have. Delivery Do Pick a good seat close to the stage Do Walk briskly to the pulpit. Do Look at the audience a time or two as you approach pulpit Do Adjust the microphone Do Look up and smile Do Not Speak about any other group or church Do Not Speak about any other agenda Do Not Refer to anything about being a sermonette giver Do Not Refer to anybody except possibly Garner Ted or Mark Armstrong. Sermonette Structure Do Use a short SPS Do Repeat that SPS two to four times Do have a catchy, interesting introduction Do have a clear, distinct, even simple body Do Use simple points---3 at the most Do have good conclusion Do Not Panic if you lose your place Assignments to Speaker from Minister [these things take place between speaker and minister/mentor] Do these Things in this Order: Submit a list of possible subjects with SPSs. See Prep Sheet to be given to minister or Feast elder: When one subject is selected, submit a list of points When subject confirmed, submit a study paper on the subject Submit an introduction. Conduct final briefing at Feast site. I hope that this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please let me know. |