S2 Ep2118: Tuesday Teaching Tip 333 | Biblical Preaching - Part 5 | The Arrow and the Target | Malcolm Cox - a podcast by Malcolm Cox
from 2023-10-17T15:48:15
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Today we look at the fifth chapter - The Arrow and the Target 🎯
1. In light of the audience's knowledge and experience, think through your exegetical idea and stated in the most exact, memorable sentence possible
- The summary statement for the parable of the prodigal could be that it tells us that God wants both the ‘sinner’ and the ‘righteous’ at his banquet.
- That statement might be enough for your audience. But, is there a way to make it more memorable?
- What do you think of these possibilities?
1. "Join the Feast: You're Invited, Prodigal or Righteous"
2. "Come to the Banquet: The Prodigal Son's Story Awaits You"
3. "Your Place at the Table: Embrace Redemption Today"
4. "Lost and Found: Your Invitation to the Banquet"
5. "Experience Forgiveness: The Prodigal's Return Calls You"
6. "The Father's Table: Where You Belong, Sinner or Saint"
7. "Celebrate Reconciliation: Your Seat is Waiting"
8. "God's Love Awaits: Feeding Your Soul, Prodigal or Righteous"
9. "Grace for All: Your Place at the Prodigal Son's Banquet"
10. "Join Us at the Table: Embracing Sinners and Saints Today"
- Note that they address the audience and invite a response.
2. The power of purpose — determine the purpose for this sermon
- All too often we are vague
- “Sometimes our response to the question, “Why are you preaching that sermon?” is as clear as a thick fog: “I’m preaching this sermon because I want to give the people a challenge.” Such answers, usually implied rather than stated, produce sermons that resemble a dropped lemon meringue pie—they splatter over everything, but hit nothing very hard. They lack a definite purpose!”
- The sermon is not conveying an idea, it is addressing real people with real needs. It needs a target. The arrow to be pointed at something for a purpose.
- Ask
- Why did the author (of the text) say/write this?
- What impact did the author/speaker hope their words would have?
- Imagine them being interview by you. You — “So, Jesus, when you taught the parable of the prodigal, what were you hoping would be the response of the people who heard it?”. Jesus — “Well, Malcolm, I’m glad you ask because what I was hoping was….”
- The purpose is not the content, but the behaviour we hope will result as a result of engaging with the content.
- In the case of the prodigal son, and depending on the context of the lesson (who will hear it), the purpose could be any of the following:
- To convince people that God feels as passionate about saving the religious as the pagan
- To inspire people to pray for and reach out to friends who are sinners and righteous
- To offer hope to any who feel distant from God as a result of their sins
- To challenge the self-righteous in the hope they will repent of pride, and embrace the same heart for the sinners as God
- We are looking for our hearers to move once they have been moved
3. Conclusion
- Our arrow needs a target
- That target will be adjusted depending on who will be hearing the sermon
- The hearers need to know how to respond to what they hear
Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our current module is Homiletics (the preparation and delivery of lessons).
Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com
The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com
Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.
God bless, Malcolm
1. In light of the audience's knowledge and experience, think through your exegetical idea and stated in the most exact, memorable sentence possible
- The summary statement for the parable of the prodigal could be that it tells us that God wants both the ‘sinner’ and the ‘righteous’ at his banquet.
- That statement might be enough for your audience. But, is there a way to make it more memorable?
- What do you think of these possibilities?
1. "Join the Feast: You're Invited, Prodigal or Righteous"
2. "Come to the Banquet: The Prodigal Son's Story Awaits You"
3. "Your Place at the Table: Embrace Redemption Today"
4. "Lost and Found: Your Invitation to the Banquet"
5. "Experience Forgiveness: The Prodigal's Return Calls You"
6. "The Father's Table: Where You Belong, Sinner or Saint"
7. "Celebrate Reconciliation: Your Seat is Waiting"
8. "God's Love Awaits: Feeding Your Soul, Prodigal or Righteous"
9. "Grace for All: Your Place at the Prodigal Son's Banquet"
10. "Join Us at the Table: Embracing Sinners and Saints Today"
- Note that they address the audience and invite a response.
2. The power of purpose — determine the purpose for this sermon
- All too often we are vague
- “Sometimes our response to the question, “Why are you preaching that sermon?” is as clear as a thick fog: “I’m preaching this sermon because I want to give the people a challenge.” Such answers, usually implied rather than stated, produce sermons that resemble a dropped lemon meringue pie—they splatter over everything, but hit nothing very hard. They lack a definite purpose!”
- The sermon is not conveying an idea, it is addressing real people with real needs. It needs a target. The arrow to be pointed at something for a purpose.
- Ask
- Why did the author (of the text) say/write this?
- What impact did the author/speaker hope their words would have?
- Imagine them being interview by you. You — “So, Jesus, when you taught the parable of the prodigal, what were you hoping would be the response of the people who heard it?”. Jesus — “Well, Malcolm, I’m glad you ask because what I was hoping was….”
- The purpose is not the content, but the behaviour we hope will result as a result of engaging with the content.
- In the case of the prodigal son, and depending on the context of the lesson (who will hear it), the purpose could be any of the following:
- To convince people that God feels as passionate about saving the religious as the pagan
- To inspire people to pray for and reach out to friends who are sinners and righteous
- To offer hope to any who feel distant from God as a result of their sins
- To challenge the self-righteous in the hope they will repent of pride, and embrace the same heart for the sinners as God
- We are looking for our hearers to move once they have been moved
3. Conclusion
- Our arrow needs a target
- That target will be adjusted depending on who will be hearing the sermon
- The hearers need to know how to respond to what they hear
Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our current module is Homiletics (the preparation and delivery of lessons).
Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com
The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com
Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.
God bless, Malcolm
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