Homiletics: The Basics

Introductory Overview

Preaching is actually the final product of a lot of time that has been invested into the thinking, praying, 

researching and strategizing by the speaker. 

Having spent much time in secret with the master and possibly drafted the sermon, the preacher 

eventually delivers within a far shorter time compared to the time they spent in gathering and 

organizing materials. Most of us enjoy good and well presented sermons, especially if they meet our 

spiritual dietary needs.

However, there is much that is taken into consideration when one selects a text, exegetes and then 

presents it. Part of the “behind the scenes” activities and the actual delivery of the sermon is the sum 

substance of this paper before us. We explore what goes into preparation, types of sermons and the 

trends towards that end. 

To kick start this discussion or presentation, it would be prudent for us to state first things first before 

delving into the details. This also helps us to be on the same page as we make landmark statements 

along the way.

The first question that begs answering is the very definition of “Homiletics”, what exactly is homiletics 

and what does it involve? Simply stated, homiletics has to do with the whole process of preparing and 

delivering a message, for our purpose, a sermon perhaps. This involves collecting, analyzing, sifting and 

orderly organizing the materials for presentation to a given audience in a particular time frame. Nearly 

all preachers undertake some form of hind preparation before they can speak unless exceptional 

extenuating circumstances dictate an impromptu speech. In ordinary circumstances, they may write the 

full text or just jot down main points often arranged in a preferred order and organization. More than 

that, the preacher must use appropriately accurate words, tone and posture as they deliver the message 

aiming at evoking a particular desired response. Thus, the preacher often aims to communicate one or 

two points to their audience and will ensure they succeed in doing so. The preachers' aim must be to 

make their audience turn words into pictures, ears into eyes, as it were. In short, we may state that 

homiletics is more than just mere preparation but also how effectively this message is communicated across to whoever is in the sermon’s path.

Sermon Preparation Process:

In the process of preparing a sermon, the preacher must be in the correct frame of mind. They must 

sharpen their minds, tune their hearts, read up and let what they digest simmer in their system before 

they proceed to write. The text must be clear as ideas, thoughts, suggestion and appropriate nuggets 

come to crystallize in the mind while the presenter gears up for preaching. The preacher must keep in 

mind that if we are to preach, we must position our minds to effectively preach, doctrinally and potently by the power of the Holy Spirit. We carry an important message from the King. Both in speaking to his students and addresses the ministers, Spurgeon made much of the inner quality of the preacher knowing that they spoke on behalf of the master. In order to prepare the sermon, several strands must come together to enhance effective preparation. Among these would include the following:

1. Know the topic or theme you want to talk about. 

This is very critical as the Lord lays it upon your heart. Be mindful of the Spiritual needs, unless a text has been given to you to expound. 

Otherwise, if possible, know or select a text commencing to wrap your mind around it. Know the 

spiritual needs of the Church and choose the topic which the Church needs. Ministers must be 

men of books, much like Paul was (I Tim 2:15; II Tim 4:12)! We must be both socially and 

spiritually intelligent! This demands much work.

2. The Bible must be the centre of all that we read or intend to talk about. 

Have a good translation, bible interpretation aids such as commentaries, lexicons, concordances etc. that would help exegete and interpret the text better. Don’t talk or speak from your thoughts or from your emotions. But, talk or speak as the Bible says and according to the Bible. The Bible must be the centre of our preaching. 

3. Pray much. Pray before, during and after the preparation so that God would confirm the truth upon your heart.

Sermon outline:

But what constitutes a sermon? How should our sermons be structured? Different sermons have different frames and structures. Indeed, some even appear to have no specific structure at all but 

successfully communicate the point to their target audience. However, as God’s ministers, we must be 

as logical and orderly as we possibly can be because we not only speak to mortals but represent the King of kings. A basic sermon has at least three sections namely Introduction, Main body and application or 

conclusion. We briefly look at each of these heads before transitioning to other aspects of sermon preparation and delivery:

1. The Introduction:

The sermon preparer must organize their introduction so that it is catchy, interesting and can easily 

resonate with the target audience. Some start with stories while others delve straight into the subject 

matter having given an over view. Whichever approach utilized, the introduction must be interesting 

and give a bird’s eye view of what is in store.

2. The main body:

This is where the subject matter lies and here the sermon must have as much “meat” as it can so that we get all that the audience receives. It must be so arranged and presented in ‘chewable’ chunks so that 

the audience is not lost in the midst of details. It is advisable that definitions or key phrases and words are adequately explained in an interesting way so that the audience is kept engaged from beginning to end. That is why the introduction is key because it leads them to this. The preacher must not be long

winded or boring but quickly deliver the point and then descend to the conclusion. People have different approaches, with some applying the truths to their audience as they go along while others wait until the last. Many scholars advise that the main text be written down, if possible word for word and 

this for a good reason-Posterity. Spurgeon was such an advocate though he scarcely looked at the paper as he preached.

3. The Conclusion/application

This is the final point of the sermon and is meant to either wrap up whatever points have been advanced in the main body ensuring the points are applied to the hearts and lives of the hearers. I have found this a very key point to press home the importance of all that I have been endeavouring to present across the past hour or so.

Types of Sermons:

There are several kinds and types of sermons which can be used depending on the context and style of preacher. The three well known ones are Textual, Expository and Topical sermons. I am sure, all these 

three over lap if well blended and used. They point to preaching the word of God in its natural setting but the focus and concentration is what differs. Below is a brief explanation of each type of sermon:

Textual: 

This is the sermon that takes a passage, probably a chapter, or striking subject head and expounds the central truth, commenting on selected verses within the wider context. A preacher who takes this approach must have a wide knowledge of the Bible and be able to winsomely collate all the scriptures to bear on that passage.

Expository: 

Expository preaching takes many forms but one of the finest and best known styles is the verse by verse expository preaching. This approach is usually a consecutive type of sermon preaching in a given book, say a doctrinal one from the first verse right through to the end of the book. For instance, I have been preaching from I Thessalonians for the past four years, verse by verse (2007-2012). This approach demands a lot of wide reading, mastering the book and line of thought of the writer in addition to the background information collation. But expository preaching takes other forms but in each case, sense and meaning is given to the text at hand. That is why mastering an original biblical language like Greek is essential. Being an excellent exegete and expositor demands a good vocabulary and thesaurus as well.

Topical: 

Topical sermon draws all the related verses from right across scriptures into one concentrated treatment of the subject. It is usually independent of any given text though alludes to the sense and 

meaning of several passages. The sermon could centre on the subject of “Sanctification” or “Holiness” for instance and trace all the verses in the Bible which talk about or mention the subject matter as used in different senses across scripture. Many theologians prefer this approach because it gives a sense of assurance and proof for their assertions. J.C. Ryle was an expert at this kind of sermon.

The Preacher Himself:

The preacher must be ready for the task and ensure they have the correct and appropriate disposition. The preacher must be being regenerate and assured, possessing a working knowledge of the word of 

God, consistency in prayer, patience avoiding greed etc. He must warns about what he does.

Take home Lessons:

Several lessons can be hewn from this brief discourse on Homiletics. Basically, the subject matter revolves around sermon preparation and delivery. In this paper, we have focused on the preparation 

and to a lesser degree the delivery. We have however not dealt with the dynamics during the preaching itself. That is subject for another day. The ensuing take home points are handy:

1. Homiletics is a hard but necessary work.

2. It has to do with sermon preparation and delivery.

3. So many dynamics take place when a person is to preach both before during and after.

4. Preaching is serious business and must be taken as such.

5. The mode of delivery may differ depending on the target group and context. 

 6.The content should be as Biblical as possible. 

 7. Before a sermon is prepared, the text and theme must be clear.

8. Sermon structure often has three parts: Introduction, main body and application.

9. The Application is a necessary aspect of the sermon not merely conclusion of what has been 

discussed. The preacher applies the truths to the present day hearers. The message must come to bear on the hearts and minds of hearers.

10. To be a great exegete and interpreter of scripture, it is encouraged to know at least one of the original languages although not mandatory. Tools exist to help the preacher in their interpretation of scripture.

11. Helps outside the scriptures must be consulted after an individual has first wrestled with the text. Far too many rush to commentaries, lexicons etc. before they internalise the sermon.

12. Sermon preparation must begin early to avoid panic and half-baked sermons.

13. The preacher must know which type of sermon they wish to deliver whether topical, expository or textual, evangelistic, doctrinal etc. This helps to clarify stuff.

Conclusion:

Sermon preparation is hard work demanding serious attention of the preacher. The sermon preparer does well to start early as well as read widely so as to be competent people who rightly divide the word of Truth (I Tim 2:15). May God grant excellent preachers in the midst of the years Amen!