SEVEN-STEP METHOD FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING

A Book Summary Submitted to Oluwasogo Adegoke PhD

Department of Practical Theology,
Faculty of Theological Studies,
The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary,
Ogbomoso

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

Preaching Practicum
(RCT 362)

By

GABRIEL FOLAYINKA OKENIYI

21/0103

MAY 2024
BIBLOGRAPHIC ENTRY

Title: Preparing Expository Sermons: A Seven-Step Method for Biblical

Preaching

Author: Ramesh Richard

Publisher: Baker Books

Year: 2001

Pages: 204

Summary

This book is a real guide for pastors and preachers who desire to deliver expository

sermons, which are sermons that systematically explain and apply the meaning of a

biblical text. In this book, Ramesh presents a seven-step method that helps preachers

effectively prepare and deliver expository sermons. These steps include studying the text

in its context, analyzing the structure and main ideas of the text, the central proposition of

the Text, the Purpose Bridge, the Central Proposition of the Sermon, Structure of the

Sermon, and delivering the message with clarity and passion.

1. Study the Text (The “Flesh” of the Text)

Studying the given biblical text is step 1 of the sermon-preparation process. Studying the

text involves two major steps: seeing the details of a text, and seeking the meaning from

the details. In studying the text, Ramesh encourages preachers to pay attention to the

immediate context of the passage, which includes reading the verses before and after the

selected text. Understanding the flow of thought and the literary structure of the passage

helps in interpreting the text accurately. It is also crucial to understand the customs,

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traditions, and historical circumstances of the author and the original audience.

Furthermore, Ramesh highlights the importance of analyzing the grammar and syntax of

the text, and conducting word studies; this involves exploring the original languages

(Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic). Lastly, there is an emphasis on cross-referencing –

comparing the selected text with other related passages in the Bible.

2. Structure the Text (The “Skeleton” of the Text)

In the second step, “Structure the Text,” Ramesh suggests that preachers should identify

the central message or main idea of the passage they are studying, identify the subpoints,

discern the structural elements of the passage, such as paragraphs, sections, or literary

devices used by the author, and also using visual aids such as diagrams, charts or

outlines, to visually represent the structure of the text. These would help the preacher and

the congregation to grasp the organization and connections within the passage.

3. The Central Proposition of the Text (The “Heart” of the Text)

The Central Proposition of the Text called “CPT” by Ramesh is the cardinal thought or

heart of a selected text. He observes that each central proposition of a text is made up of

two components: the theme and the thrust. The theme is usually the subject or topic of the

text while the thrust is the complement or assertions. The theme answers the question

“what is the author talking about in the text?” while the thrust of the text answers the

question, “what is the author saying about what he is talking about in the text?”

Ramesh clarifies that the CPT is derived while structuring the text in step two.

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4. The Purpose Bridge (The “Brain” of the Sermon)

Ramesh tags this step as the most crucial part of the entire sermon-preparation process.

He emphasizes that this step is critical to making expository preaching relevant to the

audience.

According to Ramesh, a valid and clear purpose of the sermon focuses the introduction of

the sermon on the need that will be raised in the sermon, determines what must be

included and/or excluded in the body of the sermon, influences the sermon’s conclusion

and any application, helps in choosing the illustrations that will help accomplish the

purpose of the sermon, provides a more objective way to measure the proficiency or

success of the sermon, and most importantly, directly contributes to the form of the theme

of the central proposition of the sermon.

In order to determine the purpose of the sermon, Ramesh suggests providing answers to

the following question: On the basis of the central proposition of this text, what does God

want my people to understand and obey?

5. The Central Proposition of the Sermon (The “Heart” of the Sermon)

In this step, the central proposition of the text (CPT) is channeled through the purpose as

seen in step 4. The Central Proposition of the Sermon (CPS) takes one into the

homiletical aspects of the sermon-preparation process. Both the CPT and the CPS

contains the theme and thrust but while CPT focuses on the author, CPS focuses on the

sermonizer. To get the Central Proposition of the Sermon, the sermonizer asks “What am

I talking about?” and “What am I saying about what I am talking about?”

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Under this step, Ramesh stresses on the importance of contemporizing the proposition,

this is “to make contemporary.” These “contemporizations” stick in the hearer’s mind.

6. Structure the Sermon (The “Skeleton” of the Sermon)

This step has to do with the three general movements of sermons – introduction, body,

and conclusion. “Structuring” the sermon relates to all three movements and to each

movement. The process of developing these movements separately and together makes

for structuring the sermon. Ramesh encourages preachers to ensure that the sermon

structure exhibits unity, order, and progress.

7. Preach the Sermon (The “Flesh” of the Sermon)

In this last step, Ramesh recommends writing the sermon out first as it helps put the final

touches on the sermon. He provides four major focal points to think of: sermon content,

sermon design, preacher’s style, and preacher’s delivery.

On the same vein, Ramesh encourages internalizing the written sermon manuscript. This

does not include memorizing the sermon word for word but that the sermon will already

become part of the sermonizer’s soul in such a way that he can articulate the sermon well

on the pulpit. He also advises that the sermonizer put the entire sermon – points,

illustrations, and all – on half sheets of paper while studying the sermon for delivery.

Finally, the sermon is to be delivered in a way that engages the congregation,

communicates the message clearly, and encourages relevant and practical application of

the text.

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Application of the Seven-Step to Ephesians 1:1-2

Ephesians 1:1-2 says “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy

people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Study the Text

Literary, Historical, and Cultural Context: Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul

to the believers in Ephesus. Ephesus was a prominent city in Asia Minor (present-day

Turkey) known for its idolatry and the presence of the temple of Artemis.

In this text, some major keywords are: Apostle, the will of God, God’s Holy People,

Faithful, Grace, and peace. The subject of the text is Paul and the Ephesians are the

recipients.

Paul referring to himself as an apostle is an indicator that he knows his calling as the sent

one. He identified the recipients of his letter as those who have been made holy in God

through Christ Jesus and who are faithful to their salvation in deeds and service. He

greets them with Grace and Peace; those who have been made holy have peace with God

and with men, and the continuing presence of the grace of God for them would see them

keeping in step with their salvation.

2. Structure the Text

This text divides into three parts: Paul’s identification of his calling, the identity of the

recipients of his letter (the Ephesians), and his greetings of grace and peace.

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3. The Central Proposition of the Text

Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians by highlighting his calling, the identity of the

recipients and greeting them with grace and peace.

4. The Purpose Bridge

Here is one of the purposes of the text:

To challenge called ministers to know their calling, know their audience and always

emphasize the concept of grace and peace in their messages.

5. The Central Proposition of the Sermon

Theme: The Essentials of Pre-Message Delivery

Thrust: a. Know your calling v. 1a

b. Know your audience v. 1b

c. Season your message with grace and peace v. 2

6. Structure the Sermon

 Title: Before the Message

 Text: Ephesians 1:1-2

 Introduction: Illustration of the different types of letters in letter-writing and

emphasis on salutation as one of the focal points in letter-writing and as a point

that comes before the message of the letter.

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  Body: Before the Message, (1) Know your Calling v.1a; (2) Know your Audience

v. 1b; (3) Emphasize Grace and Peace v. 2

 Conclusion: Before the message, Paul introduced himself as someone who was

convinced of his calling and vast in the knowledge of his caller; he called his

audience by who they are, an act that would compel all who belong to that

gathering to listen to the epistle when being read aloud; after all, who wouldn’t

love to be called Saints? He didn’t stop there; he went on to say his traditional

prayer of grace and peace to the maturing Church.

Actions: Are you here today? You are still struggling to know what office you

have been called into or you even know your office but you can’t boldly say that

you are of Christ…I want you to bow your head and pray that God will grant you

the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you may know him more.

if you are here and you need to rededicate your life to Christ, can you take a short

prayer of rededication?

7. Preach the Sermon:

A seven-page manuscript was prepared for the sermon. The audience is made up of

Pastors, God-called persons, those in training at The Nigerian Baptist Theological

Seminary, Ogbomoso, and so, the sermon was patterned and delivered to match the

audience.