Teaching Tip 354 | “Plain Speaking - rousing introductions and conclusions” | Malcolm Cox
Season 2, Episode 2172, Mar 19, 02:00 AM
Teaching Tip 354 | “Plain Speaking - rousing introductions and conclusions” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
Here is your 2-minute tip based on chapter 2 of the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot.
"The introduction and conclusion of your sermon are like the appetiser and dessert of a meal.” Although a starter and a pudding are optional, they certainly add something special to a meal!
A good introduction needs to accomplish two purposes according to Bercot:
Introduction
Here is your 2-minute tip based on chapter 2 of the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot.
"The introduction and conclusion of your sermon are like the appetiser and dessert of a meal.” Although a starter and a pudding are optional, they certainly add something special to a meal!
A good introduction needs to accomplish two purposes according to Bercot:
- Capture your hearer’s interest -
- Let your hearers know the subject of your message -
“The introduction should provide listeners with a reason to listen. Your introduction should raise the question you are going to answer, create the tension you are going to resolve, or point to the mystery you are going to solve.” Andy Stanley, ‘Communicating for a change’
A helpful conclusion accomplishes two things according to Bercot:
- Provide a brief summary of what has been said -
- Stir your listeners to action -
“You should conclude, and the conclusion should produce a feeling of finality. Like an able lawyer, a minister asks for a verdict.” W. Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages (p. 223). Baker Academic.
Now put everything together — your introduction, main points, sub points and conclusion. How is it looking? Do all the parts connect to one another logically and make sense?
Conclusion
Next time we will go on to look at the topic of speaking notes.
Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.
Next week: rousing introductions and conclusions
Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.
Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com
The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com
Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.
God bless, Malcolm