Shaping the Claim: Moving from Text to Sermon

Top Highlights

“The phrase ‘sermonic claim’ is meant to imply that a sermon ought to do one of the following things: assert something that is significant, ask for something that is substantial to the point requiring personal or communal commitment, or advocate for something that is sacred and deeply spiritual.” (Page 6)

“Fred Craddock is especially helpful when he refers to this idea of a sermonic claim as ‘the theme’ of the sermon that the preacher should be able to state in one simple sentence.” (Page 7)

“ethos refers to the hearers being persuaded by the speaker’s character.” (Page 55)

“Sermons ought to be about things that are biblically and theologically compelling. Sermons ought to be about things that are intellectually challenging and engaging. Sermons ought to be about things that are contextually and personally relevant and applicable to the lives of those who hear the word on any given day.” (Page 9)

“‘Now what?’ will use Aristotle’s concept of ethos to imagine the kinds of next steps that listeners might take as a result of having heard the word of the Lord. Sermons are not simply to be heard; they are to create some response on the part of those who have heard.” (Page 2)