In the process of wrestling with God over Mission, Vision and Direction, I “fell into” a new sermon outline that has proved to be extremely helpful to me. And I love its simplicity. It goes like thisâ¦
Story-Opened
Open with a story that has enough weight to carry the entire sermon. It can be the context of Scripture you are preaching, but doesn’t have to be. But the story must be “heavy” enough to thread through the entire sermon.
Head
This is what some are thinking  now. The wrong frame of thinking in their heads that is producing the wrong beliefs and wrong actions.
Heart
This is that God says we should be thinking and believing. The real Truth that will bring transformation to those who receive it.
Hand
This is what we should do with this new revelation of Truth
Many times I will break this up
A challenge to those Outside
A challenge to this Inside the Kingdom
Story-Closed
I like to go back and tie a knot in the thread of the story that has been woven through out the sermon. And end it in a way that adds an urgency to the previous challenge.
I’ve been using this for several months now, and our other campus pastors and teachers have found it be very valuable to them. It really helps when studying, and delivering, it’s really easy to keep in your head, and helps to add content in the right places.
I pray it will be a tool that  you can use to impart real Truth and challenge to those you lead and pour into.
Do you think this type outline will be helpful to you?Â
Artie, this is really great. I’ve found myself always wanting to address the “head” portion even though I’ve never called it that. It’s like you can see it on their faces: the doubt, disbelief or discouragement. And then following that up with the hope from the Heart section. Love this!!
Angel E.
Thank you.
I planted a year ago and wrestled and struggled with my sermons. By the grace of God the church has grown, but I’m finding that going topical demands a lot of prep time and I’m just not skilled in the exegetical format. This is helpful. Keep it simple regardless the route I take.
Thank you so much for sharing this outline. I’m going to print and fill this outline.
Hope it helps you as much as it has me. Blessings.
Thanks Artie! Looks promising!
It’s been very powerful for our team. Thanks!
Great, Artie!! Thanks for sharing!
Just saw this for the first time and thinking about trying it for this week. Thanks for sharing!
Artie, this is really great. I’ve found myself always wanting to address the “head” portion even though I’ve never called it that. It’s like you can see it on their faces: the doubt, disbelief or discouragement. And then following that up with the hope from the Heart section. Love this!!
Thank you.
I planted a year ago and wrestled and struggled with my sermons. By the grace of God the church has grown, but I’m finding that going topical demands a lot of prep time and I’m just not skilled in the exegetical format. This is helpful. Keep it simple regardless the route I take.
Very helpful….wow