Expository Preaching Outlines

In this post I discuss in detail expository preaching outlines. A good rule of thumb is to create and develop outline points that the listener can understand if all he or she had was a Bible and the written outline. As he or she reads the passage and observes the expository sermon outline points it should be obvious how the selected text dramatically relates to his or her Christian journey. The outline should not merely inform the reader of a “premise” or a “promise” but rather help them to do some soul-searching that may lead to a transformed life.

1. Outlines: User-Friendly Outlines
http://www.sermonoutlinesfromthebible.com/expository-sermon-outlines/
In this post I discuss in detail expository preaching outlines. A good rule of thumb is to create
and develop outline points that the listener can understand if all he or she had was a Bible and
the written outline. As he or she reads the passage and observes the expository sermon outline
points it should be obvious how the selected text dramatically relates to his or her Christian
journey. The outline should not merely inform the reader of a “premise” or a “promise” but
rather help them to do some soul-searching that may lead to a transformed life.
Donald Hamilton noted the following guidelines to aid the preacher in writing meaningful
expository sermon outlines:
1. Each main point will be based on a part of the text characterized by key word (plural
unifier).
2. Main points should ordinarily be stated in the preacher’s own words rather than the words
of Scripture.
3. The number of main points will vary from sermon to sermon … the number depends
upon the number of parallel ideas in the text.
4. Main points should be stated as complete sentences, not as single words or phrases.
(Underlining added by author for emphasis.)
5. Main points should be stated as simple sentences.
6. Main points should be fresh – “tailor-made” – for the specific sermon.
7. Unclear words, abstractions, and figurative language should be avoided unless purposely
chosen for effect.
8. Main points should be stated as briefly as possible.
9. As much as possible, each main point of a given sermon should be stated in a parallel
manner to the other main points.[1]
Expository Sermon Outlines: An Example
Example from Psalm 71:1-6
The Psalmist demonstrates that …
1. We can express an uncompromising trust in God (1-2)
2. We can focus on the unchanging stability of God (3)
3. We can rely upon our unhindered requests of God (4-6)
Back to the Proposition and Probing Question: Relation to Expository Sermon
Outlines
(see THIS VIDEO for explanation of Proposition and Probing Question)

2. Effective and meaningful expository sermon outlines will support the proposition and answer the
probing question. Looking at Mark 1:1-8 notice the following:
Proposition: I want my listens to understand that the modern Christian should recognize that
God desires to use each of us in effective ways for His purposes as He used John the Baptist
Probing Question: What does this narrative specifically reveal for the modern Christian about
being an effective servant for the purposes of God?
Notice how the following outline supports the proposition and answers the Probing Question:
1. An Effective/Significant ministry is connected to the awesome power of God (1-5)
2. An Effective/Significant Ministry is complimented with heart-felt humility (6-8)
This proposition reveals the preacher’s desire that his listeners have an effective ministry. The
outline above relates directly to that desire as it suggests two aspects of effectiveness in ministry.
More obviously, however, is that the outline answers, quite specifically, the probing question.
The outline reveals two aspects of effectiveness in ministry. This standard of supporting the
proposition and answering the probing question should never be compromised. This is a KEY
factor in creating expository sermon outlines.
Notice the following example from Philippians 4:4-7:
Proposition: I want my hearers to consider the seriousness of our citizenship and therefore learn
to live peaceably in order to protect our testimony.
Probing Question: “What does this passage specifically reveal about Christians avoiding
bickering with each other?”
I. Decide to Remain Happy in the Lord (vs. 4)
II. Display a Right Attitude for the Lord (vs. 5)
III. Discuss your Real Concerns with the Lord (vss. 6-7)
Again, notice how the outline supports the proposition and answers the probing question. And
for emphasis, notice how these points come from the selected text and not elsewhere in the Bible.
When it comes to expository sermon outlines, as Hamilton noted, never, Never, NEVER use the
phraseology of the biblical passage as the outline. For example, in the above passage from
Philippians the outline is not:
1. Rejoice Always (vs. 4)
2. Let Your Gentle Spirit Be Known (vs. 5)
3. Be Anxious for Nothing (vss. 6-7)

3. The reason to avoid this approach is quite simple. By using the phraseology of the passage we
are doing nothing more than reading what the text says to our listeners. If they can read then they
simply will not need you. But by phrasing the points with the direct application approach, then
you have the opportunity to demonstrate for them even deeper implications of the text to their
lives. Again, this is a key consideration when developing expository sermon outlines.
Looking at Philippians 4:1-7 one will observe several references to the idea of being “in the
Lord” (vs. 1, 2, 4, and 7). Therefore the prudent preacher will want this idea conveyed as both a
reminder of a Christian’s position and as a method for avoiding bickering. So, the Christian is
instructed in point 1 (I) to “decide to remain happy IN the Lord.” This carries so much more
weight than the mere exhortation to “rejoice always.” The Christian is encouraged to make a
daily decision to represent Christ joyously because of his or her position with the Lord. Going
further, the idea of “displaying the right attitude FOR the Lord” carries with it a far deeper
meaning and implication than merely letting a gentle spirit be known. And lastly, the idea of
“discussing our real concerns WITH the Lord” is more meaningful than the idea of being anxious
for nothing. When one is embittered toward a brother he should not bicker with him, but rather
speak to the Lord in an attitude of petition and thanksgiving on behalf of that brother. In so doing
the Lord will remind the Christian that He loves the very person the praying Christian is angry
toward.
One of the goals of expository sermon outlines is to convey the deeper implications of the text
by showing the listeners what they typically cannot see for themselves with a general reading to
the text. Too often preachers merely remind congregants of what they already know or what they
can see for themselves as they read the selected text. Therefore, the prudent preacher will delve
deep into the text and draw out (exegesis) the Spirit-intended implications. He will want to touch
the emotions, psyche, and spirit of the listener with what he discovered while studying the
passage. This is accomplished much more effectively with well-thought out and well-considered
life-application outline points.
Expository Sermon Outlines: Power Words
After I had been teaching for about five years I noticed that my student’s expository sermon
outlines were generally well-done and effective. But I also noticed that the outline points rarely
pricked at my heart or caused any stirring in my spirit. This led me to review my own outline
points. What I observed led me to the conclusion that the emotional/motivational aspects of the
text were not always represented in the outline points. I had been teaching my students an
approach that was truthful; but wooden, mechanical, and in some cases, lifeless. This reality led
me to the use of what I now call “power words” within the outline points.
Let’s return to the example of Mark 1:1-8. Allow me to demonstrate what I mean. Observe the
outline points I provided earlier:
1. His (John’s) ministry was connected to God’s power (1-5)
2. His (John’s) ministry was complimented with humility (6-8)

4. For many preachers this outline would seem sufficient. It is important to note, however, some
serious weaknesses to this approach. First, the outline points are about John the Baptist’s
ministry. While there is nothing inherently wrong with talking about John, the approach assumes
the listener is interested in John. However, a study of human nature reveals that people are more
concerned about themselves than others. This is why most listeners want to know how a sermon
relates to them and why they should bother listening to it. Further, the above outline merely
informs them as to how and why John was effective in ministry. Second, as it is stated it simply
does not stir the emotions or the heart, nor does it reflect the motivational emphases of the
narrative.
Many, perhaps even most, gifted expositors rarely consider that structuring the points in a way
that John gets the emphasis is indeed a weakness. They assume that since John is the star of the
passage then this is acceptable. And while I will agree that it is not “sinful” or “wrong” to
structure expository sermon outlines this way, in my opinion there is a much stronger and more
meaningful way to develop the outline. The goal should be to connect the text to the listener
emotionally and spiritually. Therefore, the outline points should be written in the present-tense
and geared toward the listener. As I will demonstrate, this will not take any of John’s glory from
him.
When the preacher writes the points toward the listener they become:
1. Effective ministry is connected to God’s power (1-5)
2. Effective ministry is complimented with humility (6-8)
Again, for many preachers this approach would be sufficient. And while I will agree that it is not
wrong or sinful, I will still contend that this approach does not cause the listener to do any soul
searching or reflecting. The reason is because the points are stated as simple informative reality.
But notice what happens when the points are stated with text-honoring emphasis or power
words:
1. An Effective/Significant ministry is connected to the awesome power of God (1-5)
2. An Effective/Significant Ministry is complimented with heart-felt humility (6-8)
These added words may not make much of a visual difference as one reads them, but they do
provide the preacher an opportunity to expose the motivational aspects of the text. John’s
ministry was effective and powerful because it was connected to an awesome God who foretold
of the coming of His Son. This God also provided the only message that saves lost people from
their sins. It is clear that John the Baptist had no average or typical relationship with God.
Clearly he was broken and moved by the awesomeness of Who God was and is. As the preacher
preaches this reality he can emphasize that an awesome God desires to use every Christian in the
same way He used John. That kind of effectiveness is only realized when God’s people come to
understand just Who it is that they serve.

5. Further, as one looks at John’s life it is easy to see that his humility was not just a human
attribute. John was humbled to the heart. He did not desire to put on performances that would
bring him any personal recognition. He wanted, from the depths of his heart, to see all glory go
to Jesus. The preacher can remind his listeners that they serve not from mere humility, but rather
from a heart that has been humbled because of Who they serve and how they compare to Him!
This is the difference between preaching general truth and preaching life-transforming truth!
People will become emotionally involved as this type of preaching will force them to examine
themselves to see if they see God in His awesomeness and if they are indeed humbled to the
heart.