1. Practical Ministry III: To Communicate the Gospel Pastor Bryce Formwalt Joyful Harvest Church Johnsburg, IL

2. Focusing on a Central Theme Step two in the focusing process is to choose a single aspect of your subject as a CENTRAL THEME. The theme must be brief and crystal clear. Purpose: Focus your speech to a manageable amount of information Complete Central Theme Exercise & Action Point (p. 13)

3. Determining the Objective “I have a conviction that no sermon is ready for preaching, not ready for writing out, until we can express its theme in a short, pregnant sentence as clear as crystal. I find the getting of that sentence is the hardest, the most exacting, and the most fruitful labor in my study.” - J.H. Jowett in his Yale lectures on preaching The third step in preparing a speech is to write a sentence that embodies the objective of your talk.

4. Determining the Objective Definition: The objective is a sentence containing a proposition and an interrogative response that indicates how you will accomplish that proposition. It must also contain a key word. Example: Every person can become a more powerful communicator < proposition by applying the principles taught in the SCORRE process. < interrogative response

5. Determining the Objective Overview: Four steps to developing an objective sentence. 1. Write a proposition. 2. Interrogate the proposition with questions “how” and “why”. 3. Write an interrogative response (answer the question). 4. Choose a keyword that describes the content of the speech. You can write a clear objective by following the steps listed above. These steps are explained in detail in the next section.

6. Determining the Objective Step 1 – Write a proposition: Definition: a proposal put forth for consideration or acceptance. Examples: Every person can grow in their walk with Jesus… Every believer should give of their time and talents… Every follower of Christ can be filled with the Holy Spirit… Everyone should believe in Christ as their Savior… Every teenager can annoy his or her parents…

7. Determining the Objective Step 1 – Write a proposition: Function: The proposition identifies the objective of the speech. The proposition begs an important question. The proposition provides a powerful focus for the ingredients of your message. The proposition makes the transition from what you want to talk about to what you want to accomplish. The proposition comprises the first half of your objective sentence.

8. Determining the Objective Step 1 – Write a proposition: Options: There are only two kinds of propositions: Option #1: The Obligatory Proposition: A speech persuading the audience to action that will persuade the audience to do something. A simple form for writing an obligatory proposition: Every should The obligatory proposition always uses the word should. Examples: Every person should love their neighbor Every person should set goals

9. Determining the Objective Step 1 – Write a proposition: Options: There are only two kinds of propositions: Option #2: The Enabling Proposition: A speech or instruction or encouragement that will show the audience how to do something. A simple form for writing an obligatory proposition: Every can The enabling proposition always uses the word can. Examples: Every person can learn to love their neighbor Every person can learn to set goals

10. Determining the Objective Step 1 – Write a proposition: Warning! There are two temptations that can short circuit your attempt to write a proposition: 1. A temptation to include in your proposition some burning statement that will appear in your speech. 2. A temptation to modify or avoid the use of the SCORRE model. Action Point: Will your speech be enabling or obligatory?

11. Determining the Objective Step 2 – Interrogate your proposition: Obligatory propositions are always interrogated with the question “Why?”. Enabling propositions are always interrogated with the question “How?”. Interrogate your propositions verbally. The answer to the question (“Why?” or “How?”) should lead to the content of your speech. If not, you have the wrong proposition.

12. Determining the Objective Step 3 – Write a response: Definition: The response is a prepositional phrase containing a key word. It makes up the second half of your objective sentence. It contains the logical body of your speech, and clearly answers the interrogation. Rules for writing the interrogative response: The response to an obligatory proposition should begin with the words because, of, or for. The response to an obligatory proposition should begin with the word “for” only when the key word is reasons. The response to an enabling proposition should begin with the word by.

13. Determining the Objective Step 4 – Choose a key word: Definition: The key word is always a plural noun. It is the bag that holds together the logical rationale of your speech. Your rationale will be derivatives of the key word. The proper use of the key word will make your speech mor focused and easier to understand. The key word keeps your speech on track. Rule: Key words should be as picturesque as possible but not at the expense of clarity. Warning: A speech without a keyword is like a car without a driver.

14. Determining the Objective When you have constructed a sentence following the four steps above, that sentence is your Objective. Coming up with that sentence is the most difficult yet most important part of preparing a message. Your Objective should be committed to memory. Some important truths about the objective: It’s ugly It’s necessary It’s foundational Remember: When the tension is gone, the attention is gone!

15. Create Rationale The fourth step in the SCORRE process is to create rationale. Definition: The rationale, more commonly called the points of a speech, establish a solid, logical foundation upon which the credibility of your objective will rest. Two rules: 1. Rationale must correspond with the key word. This keeps your speech logical. 2. Rationale should be parallel with the key word in grammatical form. This makes the speech memorable.

16. Add Resources The fifth step in the SCORRE process is to add resources. Resources bring light, color, and clarification. Resources make the audience want to listen. Resources should never detract from the focus of the talk.

17. Evaluation Rule: Evaluation should be taking place during all of the preparation, presentation, and beyond. Evaluation questions: Will it meet the needs of my audience? Do I know what I am talking about? Do I have a crystal clear objective? Will the contents of my talk lead to the objective? Have I given the opportunity for application or response? Is my message true to scripture? Do I practice what I preach?

18. Preparing for Next Week Read Secrets of Dynamic Communication, pp. 117-149 Read Preaching Law and Gospel Next Weeks Teaching Topics: Managing your time Illustrations SCORRE and scripture Developing a Lutheran hermeneutic