The three requisites for good sermonizing are: a thorough study of the text, a good outline, and good delivery. Neglecting any one of these will result in poor preaching.
What is perhaps mostly neglected in sermonizing is that which is most important: a thorough study of the text. A thorough study of the text is absolutely indispensable for good sermon work. Without it the preacher cannot make a good outline, and without it he cannot be filled up with his subject, which he must be if he would deliver well, for a preacher\u27s delivery is influenced by his mastery of the subject-matter and the conviction and the enthusiasm which it has wrought in bis own heart

Fritz, J H

English

When the theme is the chief thought expressed in the text and the parts are deductions from the text, then we have an analytic- synthetic outline. When the theme is a thought derived by way of deduction from the chief thought of the text and the parts are those expressed in the text, then we have a synthetic-analytic outline

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: Scholarly Resources

The Sermon Methods

Concordia Theological Monthly Volume 2 Article 40 5-1-1931 The Sermon Methods J H. Fritz Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm  Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Fritz, J H. (1931) "The Sermon Methods," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 2 , Article 40. Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol2/iss1/40 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Print Publications at Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Concordia Theological Monthly by an authorized editor of Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. For more information, please contact seitzw@csl.edu. 864 The BermoD Ketlaocl&. The Sermon Methods.• The three requisites for good aermonising are: tJ thorou,1' •hlh of the led, a good ouUine, and good tlelivff!I. N eglccting &DY' one of theao will result in poor preaching. What is perhape moet]y neglected in aermoni.ling ia that which is moat important: tJ thoroug1' atud11 of the tat. A thorough ■tud;:r of tho ten ia ab110lutely indispensable for good sermon work. Without it tho preacher cannot make o. good outline, and without it he can-not be filled up with hi■ aubject, "'hich bo must be if ho would deliver well, for a preacher's delivery is influenced by his mastery of tho ■ubject-mattcr and the conviction and the enthusiasm which it bu wrought in bis own heart. A thorough ■tudy of the tezt calla for the imploring of divine enlightenment, the reading of tho vernaculor, the reading of the context, tho careful and painstaking study of the original text, the looking up of po.rallel paasagca, and concentrated and intensive medi-tation. Not until all this ha■ been done, ■hould the preacher decide upon his ■ermon method and make his outline. Nor should commen-taries and other helps be conaultcd before n tentative outline bu been made. By referring too BOOD to commentaries ond sermon helps, o. preacher ■tunta hi■ own mental activicy, nod, ae o. result, fails thoroughly to understand his text nod become thoroughly interested in it. If preacher■ neglect this important port of their acrmooi.ling, their preaching will BOOn become stale, and their bearers will get little out of their sermon■• In hi■ study of the text a preacher should be careful to find the apeci/ic chief thovoht of that particular te:d , that thought by which that ten diatinguiahu it.elf fn,m other ta2:ta w1iic1• tr at U,e ••• nbject. Thia is ab■olutely necessary for tho construction of an out-line that is bomiletically correct, and at tho same time it give■ to • Wh7 ■ermon met.hod■ T l) The advantage of u■lng any pod met.hod la that lt keep■ one from doing ■omet.hlng In a hapha11&rd wa7, in a hit-or-mla■ fuhlon. That in lt■elf i1 rea■on aufBcient for adopting and ulng a good met.hod. I) Ket.hod in aermon work compol1 the preacher more thoroughly to 1tudy hl1 tut and enablea him better to undentand It and better to preaent it. 3) Method in aarmon work puta ,•ariety into preaching, the thing ■o mucl1 needed In order to arouee and hold t.he attention of an audience, •peciall7 when a preacher muat preach to t.he aame people year In, 7•r out. The aame text may be treatccl in different -7L 4) Ket.hod In aermon work will, when onco undentood and med, make llll'DIOII work a greater pleuure to tho preacher hlmaelf b7 arouaing hla lnter.t In the poulbllltiea of preaching and thua of keeping hla pnachlng from becoming 1tale. It will make of one a better prw.cber. All t.hla la reaaon 1uf8clent wq due attention ought to be gi•en to aermon met.hod■• 1Fritz: The Sermon MethodsPublished by Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary,The Berman J&t.hoda. 885 Nl'IDODI that Tariot;r which will insure renewed interest on the part of the hearen. Becauae the specific truth treated in a certain tat ia oft.m overlooked or ignored, preachers fill their eermona with ever-reaarring platitudea. which in course of time become atale and fail to give to the hearers the great wealth and Tariot;r of thought which the Bible actualb' presents. Saya Kleinert: ''Ein beaondcrea Auf-merbn iat hierbei auf aolche Hauptgedanken zu richten, welcho dem Tm im Untenchicde von andern gleichartigcn oder verwandtcn eiu charakteriatiachea Gepraege gebon, acino Phyaiognomio bestimmen. Ea silt. den Willen des Textea zu erforschen, der i  dieaen charak-teriatiachen Hauptgedanken zum Auadruck kommt. Das iat wichtig, um die Stofllndung gegcn die Gcfnhr zu achuetzen, aei ea, durch Bo-barren auf allgemeinen und ausgetret.cnen Bahnen die Darbietung von vornherein des Interesses zu berauben, aei ea. d m T xt fremde und verachicdeno Gcsichtspunkt.c aufzubuerden. Erst durch die kraeftige Erf888ung der charakt.criatiachen Hauptgedanken erhaelt die Predigt die Xongenialitact mit dem Text. die ihr lebendigea Interesae und den eindringlichaten N achdruck der Schriftmaessig-keit gibt." After a preacher hllB thoroughly studied his text and is ready to make his outline, he must decide upon tho aermon. method. Although aome homiletieians speak of n number of aermon methods, there are, strictly speaking, only two: tho anali,tic method and the 1J1ntl1etic method. What aomo call the expository method and the homily are apecics of tl10 analytic method. And although it is a fact that the make-up of many sermons is not strietb' analytic or synthetic, but either synthetic-analytic or analytic-synthetic, yet theae are not two new methods, but merely combinations of the two methods, the analytic method and tho synthetic method. Homileticians writing in English usually call tl1e analytic method the textual method and the a:,ntbotic method tho topical (or inferential) metliod. This distinc-tion is liable from the outset to convey a wrong imprC88ion, namely, that the ao-called textual method must be strictly in accordance with the text. while the topical method aimply takes a topic from the text and then develops this topic with ut further careful consideration of the text; and in fact aomo homiletieiana would have it ao understood. We should, however, alwaya pr each th e t :ict. The reading of the text is in itaelf a promiae to tho congregation that the preacher will preach that text. In other words, every sermon should be textual; as we uy in German, te:ictg01nae11. While we prefer tlie terms anab'tic and synthetic, uaed b:, German homiletieians. I am not quite ready to say that even these terms have been well choaen. My reasons are the following: 1) Homileticiana do not agreo in their use of theao t.erma (tlie order is even reversed) and are much perplesed to give a clear definition of the tl'l'D111 and preaent 2Concordia Theological Monthly, Vol. 2 [], Art. 40https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol2/iss1/40888 'l'be Sermon Kethoda. an eaq workable basis for sermonising. Xleinert, in hia JI,,,,.a.w,, ·u,ya: "Die Auadrueoke 'An~ und Syntheae,' 'ana'l7tiach mul sin· thetiach' werden in der Homiletik herkoemmlich ueberaua huuila ·gebraucht, eracheinen aber bei den verachiedenen Homiletikarn mit ,venohiedenen und nicht durchwcg deutlichen Voratellungen ffl'-knuepft. Man wircl billig bezweifeln duerfen, ob diese Hereinnahme beider Auadruecke in die homiletiache Formlehre der Xlarheit dient und dem Lernenden eine deutliche Direktive ueber den einm· achlagenden Wcg gibt.'' 9) The terms themselves, if etymologicalq applied, are somewhat confusing. Tho fact is that in cve-q sermon we have both analysis and synthesis. It would, perhaps, be praferable to call the analytic the direct method and the synthetic the indirect or inferential method; but for our present purpoae let us abide b7 the old terms, analytic and synthetic. Let it be understood from the outset that, irrespective of the method used, a thorough study of the text must form the basis for tho outline; tho theme must be the chief thought of the text; the divisions must also be taken from the text-the te:d ,nu.d be preacutl. Tho text dare never serve as n mere motto, n starting-point cmJ.r • .Not on the basis of dogmatics or n commentary or on the basis of prallel passages should the sermon be built, but on tho baais of the sermon-text. A so-called topical outline that takes some thought from the test and then ignores it is built upon lines that are homi-leticall:, not permiBBible. Tho sermon is not a dogmatic treatise which . is chosen for the lecture-room in a theological seminary or for a pas-toral conference, nor a religious essay which makes profitable reading, but it is a religious address, built upon a certain definite tes:t of the :Bible, which ie to be e:zpounded and applied for tho edification of the hearers. That is the homiletic idea of tho sermon. After the preacher has thoroughly studied his text on the baais of the original text, the cont.ezt, the parallel passages of Scriptme (8cripturtJ Bcripturam int orpretatur), he must, if ho would preach hia text, as ho indeed ought to, do one of two things: ho must either wie what the text ~ in ao ma~ word.a, ezpreuia 11erbia, although he need not sa:, it in the wtr:, words of the text (analytic method), or he muat wie what the test does not state in so man:, words, but what is nevertheless implied in the text and nt which ho arrives b7 way of deduction or inference, by way of the poriam11 (synthetic method). There u no third thing that a preacher can do with a tut. The tat lrlatt. IS, 14-16, when analyzed, has tho following thoughts: 1) Ohristians are tho light of the world; 9) Ohristians 9hould let their light shine b7 doing go d works; 8) Ohristians 9hould let their light shine that men may see their good worb and glorify God. Oombhling theae three thoughts into one proposition, we mq 3Fritz: The Sermon MethodsPublished by Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary,TheBermonJlethocla. 88'1 apr911 it thua: Ohriatiam abould let their light abine before man. That ii the theme. That will give us the following CPIGZr& outliue: Tu Lortra Admaniticm to AU OAriatiana: HI.et Yow Lio'li.t 81&iM B-,on 'Jlffl.,. 1. Ohristiana, being the light of the world, can let their light; ahine. 9. Ohriatiam abould let their light abine b7 doing good worb. 8. Ohriatiam abould let their light abine that othera alao mq llorif7God. In the meditation on this text the following thoughts ma:, be arrived at 11, 101121 of deduction: Since only Ohriatiam are the light of the world, a member of a congregation who is not a Christian can-DOt let hia light shine and is therefore a hypocrite; and, again, if Ohriatians fail to let their light shine, they causo the world to believe that they are not sincere in their Christianity. One ma:,, then, arrive at the following aynt1a.etic outline: Whi, the World Often Out. It into Our Teeth that There Are H11pocritea in. the Church. 1. BecaUle in the outward chUl'Ch organizations there are members who pretend to bo Ohriatians, but are not. 9. Beca111e Christians at times neglect to live 118 Christians in this world. Or in the course of the meditation the thought will impress itself upon the preacher that great stresss is laid upon the doing of good works b7 Christian people and that a Christian becomes guilty if he does not do good works. Bi, tDIJ2f of deduction he will then arrive at the following •11nthetic outline: Of Wh11t Ia 11 01a.riatian Guilli, to1a.anever Hill Life Doea Not Con.form to Bia Oon.fearionf 1. Ho is,. not true to what God bu made him, vv. 14.16. 2. He is not on17 miaaing an opportunity t  lead others to Christ, but becomes a atumbling-blook on their wa:, to salvation, v. 16. Tho tat 2 Tim. 4, 1--5, when an1U7zed, presents the following outatanding thoughts: 1) The Christian minister is charged to preach the Word of God: only, at all times, in the right manner. 9) This charge is very necossarJ' because maD7 will not endure sound doctrine, but tum to false teachers and their fables. · When the apostle aaya to Timothy, "llake full proof of thy miniab-7," he aums up, or combines, thcso thoughts into one statement. The preacher therefore will decide upon the following 11nalg& out- . line: The Lortla Charge to II Ohriati11n Paator: HJfol:e Full Proof . of T1a.11 Miniatri,." 1. How a Christian pastor should do this:. a) Preach the Word onl7, v. 2 a. b) Preach it at all times, v. 2 b .. c) Preach it in tho right manner (Law and Gospel), vv. B c. 6 •. 9. Wh7 a Christian pastor should do this: a) Because God has com-. manded it, vv.1. 2; b) because of the great danger that some will: tum awe:, from 10und doctrine and lose their aalvation, vv. 8--4;. c) becauae minist.era muat give an acoount to God of their work, v.1.'. In his meditation upon the text a aermoniser hda that the 4Concordia Theological Monthly, Vol. 2 [], Art. 40https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol2/iss1/40868 l)llpo!ltloncn Gier cine Serie afttc1tamentll4tt ~te. preacher who faithfully preach• the Word of God will meet with oppc,aition and will perhapa become cliacouraged, while at the ume time he will find that God baa commanded him to preach and that God will call him to account. B11 101111 of cududio" he JDQ' arme at the following a,,,dlu,fic-anaZ.tic outline: Wh11 Bhoukl a OlrimM Pulor Nol Become Diacourage<l when, lhough Failh/uU,, PNo,cliag Iha Word of God, He Meda with Opporitionr 1. Because by faith-fully preaching the Word of God, he does what God baa called him to do, vv. 1. 9. IS; 9. because the Lord baa foretold that a time would come when people will not endure sound doctrine, vv. 3-5; 8. bccaUl8 in the final analysis not man, but God, will be the preacher's Judge and his Reward, v. 1. A definition of the two sermon mothoda may ho given in the fol-lowing words: -The tJnal71tic sermon method uaea tho oxpresa statements of the text, ezpreut1 11erbci tutu, although not nCCCBB11rib' in the same words or always in the same order. Usually tho parts, which are those given by the text, are found first, nnd tho summary of thellll form the theme, or proposition. Tho nnalytio method proeeeda from tho parts to the whole. The aynthetic sermon method uses the deductioftll or i,.ferencu or poriamat,i which are derived from tho test. Usually the theme ii found first and then tho parts. Tho parts oleo tnko their mafmal from the te:r:t, but their form from the theme. (f'o be COJ1ch1detl.) JOHN H. 0. FRITL ~il~•fitionm lier bie tfon ber E5l}nobalf unferrna angenommene eerie altteftamentlidjer $elff. CEaatate. ~ e i:. 16, 15-21. etn tteuei: ,Pi:ebige1: ljat !einm Iehljten <5tanb, &ef onbetl tu nn el gilt, bie !S lnbe au fti:afm. i>al ljat ~eremial e1:faljren milffen. !l>al IJoI! hJai: oottlol unb tueioerte ficlj, IBufJe au tun, ftai,. 2-11. i>a muf,te iljm ~ei:emial (Bottel Som unb St1:afe anfiinbigen, stai,. 18, 1-14, 6. ~eremial &ittet a&ei: IUiebei: fili: bal tnoI!, finbet feboclj !ein <Beljih:; benn (Bott ift bel l&fJai:mml milbe, nai,. 14, 7-11S, 9. ~ GJegmteiI muf, ~eremial nun noclj einmaI !rob unb IBei:bn&m bel:111 !ilnbigen. !i)aJ macljt iljn &ei bm 1!euten berljafJt. O&IUoljI ex: recljt-f cljaffen i~, ljabed febei:mann mit iljm, 18. 10. ~n feinei: !ri:oftlofig!eit nbnmt ex: f eine 8uf(ucljt aum ~C!rm. ~ foigt ein 8tuiegefpm4, i)amul Iemm IUii: uni amn !rmfte, 5Fritz: The Sermon MethodsPublished by Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary,

https://scholar.csl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1515&context=ctm

The Sermon Methods

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: Scholarly Resources

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: Scholarly Resources