HOMI 601
Bridging Text to Sermon Idea Template
Text: Phil. 1:12-18
12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching / Wayne McDill / 2006 / B&H Used by Permission
The purpose of this exercise is to construct an
interpretative bridge for bringing the truth of the text
to its expression in the sermon.
HOMI 601
12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching / Wayne McDill / 2006 / B&H Used by Permission
Use the subject/modifier from Text Idea exercise.
Note specific differences in Text and Sermon
ideas.
Test each statement for consistency with others.
Do not change subject and modifier in the process.
Identify historical elements in the original writing.
Scan the text verse-by-verse for predicates.
Identify the text subject in one word. This answers the
question, What is the text writer talking about?
Gospel
Identify the modifier to your subject in one word. This
answers the question, How does the text writer limit
the scope of his treatment of the subject?
Progress
Using some form of the subject/modifier words, write
a working title for your emerging sermon.
Progressing the Gospel
Identify elements of the historical setting of the original writing of the text:
Writer, speaker or key character: Paul
Secondary character, hearers or readers: saints at Philippi
Tone or purpose of text: Encouragement
Occasion, situation, or circumstances: Paul writing from prison
Literary features, genres, figurative language: Epistle
Write the text idea statement using the subject and modifier, plus elements of the original writing of the text.
Paul sent epistle to the saints at the church of Philippi to enourage them
Write the sermon idea by adopting the wording of the textual idea. Omit the historical trappings and make it a
present-tense statement of a universal theological principle. Make sure it contains the subject/modifier.
The gospel must progress
Write a purpose statement for the sermon with what you would like to see in response to the ideas of the text.
Christians share the gospel.
