The Preparation of Topical and Doctrinal Sermons

A Simplified Outline byPablo A. Jiménez

www.drpablojimenez.net

A. Engaging the Text

Begin with prayer. Ask God to guide your research. Keep a devotional atmosphere

throughout the exercise. Do not use secondary sources at this

point

Key Questions

Answer the following questions in order to determine your knowledge, ideological pre-suppositions and theological approach to the issue:

1. What is your knowledge of the topic or doctrine? How would you define the issue to be researched?

2. What are your doubts about the topic or doctrine? Which areas should I research in order to address such doubts?

3. What is the relation between this topic or doctrine and your pastoral experience? In which way does your pastoral experience illuminate this topic?

4. Which biblical texts come to mind when you think about this topic?

5. List ideas, quotations, memories or stories that this topic or doctrine may evoke.

6. List all the different aspects of the topic or doctrine that may come to mind. Which ones should you preach to your congregation? Which is the one they need the most?

B. Researching the issue

It is almost impossible to research thoroughly a topic or doctrine for a single sermon. Therefore, the scope of your investigation would be limited. The aim of this step is to obtain useful biblical, theological and pastoral insights on the issue.

1. Simplified Method of ResearchUse dictionaries and encyclopedias to

research the issue. These useful tools may provide quick access to different perspectives on the issue at hand.

Denominational confessions of faith and theological handbooks may also provide quick access to important information.

2. In-Depth Research

An alternative way of doing your research is to choose two theologians to become your “partners” in the preaching ministry. One should be a “classic” theologian; the other, a “contemporary” one. Both must be prolific writers who have addressed many theological and social issues in their writings.

Some “Classic” Theologians

Augustine Thomas Aquinus Martin Luther John Calvin John Wesley Karl Barth

Some “Contemporary” Theologians

Paul Tillich Jürgen Moltmann Wolhart Pannenberg Hans Küng Douglass John Hall Carl E. Braaten Leonardo &

Clodovis Boff

Justo L. González Gustavo Gutiérrez James Cone Sally McFugue Rebecca Chopp Elizabeth Schussler-

Fiorenza

A life of study...

Each year, buy, read, annotate and read again a book by each of your two “partners”. Such research will not only inform you but also motivate you to engage doctrinal, social and pastoral issues from the pulpit. This long process is more rewarding than the perpetual dependence on dictionaries.

Key questions1. What does the Bible say about this

issue?2. What theological insights have you

found in the dictionaries and encyclopedias on this issue? Or, how does your theological “partners” address it? Do they address it at all?

3. What are the teachings of your denomination on this issue?

4. Are there any lessons from history that may illustrate the church’s thought and practice on this issue?

5. Which images, anecdotes, or stories you could use to illustrate these theological and pastoral insights?

6. Of all the possible approaches to the topic, which may be the most relevant for your congregation? Which should you preach on this occasion?

C. Contextualize the issue

In this section you should compare the findings of your research with the situation of your congregation. You should also ponder the social, political and economic reality of your neighborhood, city, county, state and country.

Key questions1. Compare the points of continuity and

discontinuity between the biblical material and the theological tradition. How would you characterize the development of the Church’s thinking on this topic or doctrine?

2. How would your congregation react to the contemporary theological and pastoral approaches to this topic or doctrine? Are these congruent with your pastoral practice? Why?

3. Of all the positions, insights and perspectives that you have found on the issue, which ones speak to your reality? Which are no longer acceptable?

4. List those aspects of the topic or doctrine that have not been addressed by Scripture or by the theological tradition. Can you find biblical or theological clues to address those issues?

5. Which aspects of this topic or doctrine are relevant for your congregation? Which do they need to hear the most?

6. Enumerate all the possible “sermons-in-a-sentence” suggested by the text.

Pick one “sermon-in-a-sentence” for your homily. Save your notes for future sermons on the issue!

Double up and save!

Given that topical or doctrinal preaching requires so much research, consider developing a series of sermons on the issue at hand. For example, you may preach a three sermon series on “sin” or a four sermons series on “the Apostolic Creed”. This may require you to step out of the Lectionary for a while.

Sermon Design

Topical and doctrinal sermons may be difficult to understand for the average parishioner. In order to maximize comprehension, you may use deductive sermon forms to present your ideas.

Another option is to use simple inductive forms, such as “Problem solving” or “See, think and act”.

Teacher of the Church

The topical and doctrinal sermon empowers you to teach the faith. If you relinquish your role as teacher, your parishioners may find themselves learning “theology”, at best, from Sunday school curricula; at worst, from printed and electronic religious media.

The End

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