Archive for category: LivingEd – Leadership

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An effective SPS – what you’re missing!

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Brother to Brother: Getting the Self Out

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What Purpose Does a Sermonette Serve?

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The sermonette is an important portion of the Sabbath service. 

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Brother to Brother: Do or Delegate

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Brother to Brother: Leading by Helping

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Sometimes the best way to lead – and learn to lead – is by helping.

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Sermonette Outline: “Why Parables?”

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Title: 

“Why Parables”

Key Scripture:

Mark 4:33-34

SPS:

To explain what is meant by this passage.

Supporting Scriptures:

Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35

Introduction:

Mar 4:33-34 NKJV – “And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear [it]. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.”

Why did Christ speak in parables?

Body

  1. Passages where He answered the question:
    1. Mat 13:34-35 NKJV – “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
    2. Mat 13:10-13, 15-17 NKJV– “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. … For the hearts of this people have grown dull. [Their] ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with [their] eyes and hear with [their] ears, Lest they should understand with [their] hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ “But blessed [are] your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; “for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous [men] desired to see what you see, and did not see [it], and to hear what you hear, and did not hear [it].”
  2. Explanation
    1. God’s plan, from the rebellion of Adam and Eve, is to allow mankind to go his own way, and to experience firsthand the result of his foolishness and pride.  This was not the time for the healing of the people of the earth as a whole. 
    2. As a witness, it was not Christ’s intent to challenge the masses with specific details”, forcing them into making a decision to believe or disbelieve.  For the masses, he was giving them a WITNESS of who and what He was.  We see a difference when He worked personally with individuals.  (Luke 9:57)

Conclusion

God has a purpose and a plan for mankind, with every human having the opportunity to understand and submit to His way. Speaking in parables served His purpose that this time.

A Powerful SPS

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If you want your SPS to get attention, use these guidelines…

1. Always use ACTION VERBS in your SPS

  • Vague and general verb phrases result in a weak or non-existent SPS, while action verbs guide and define a strong SPS.
    • “About” is the most commonly abused passive verb phrase in speaking, leaving the audience (and sometimes the speaker) with no specific idea where the message is going.
    • For example: “Today, I’m going to talk about how to study the Bible.”
    • Exactly what do you mean?
    • While “How to Study the Bible” may be a topic, it is not an SPS.
  • Here are some examples of action verbs that establish a clear, strong SPS.
    • convince
      • My purpose is to convince my audience that we need to focus our minds on God’s Word more consistently.”
    • persuade
      • My purpose is to persuade the congregation to pray every morning.
    • inspire
      • My purpose is to inspire my audience to be more courageous in living God’s way.
    • explain
      • “My purpose is to explain meaning of the phrase “without form and void” in Genesis 1:2″
    • challenge
      • “My purpose is the challenge the audience to consider Matthew 7:3 and the ‘log in their eye'”
    • prepare
      • “My purpose is to prepare the congregation for challenges to their faith, by recounting the story of Abraham and God’s command to sacrifice his son.”
    • rehearse…
      • “My purpose is to rehearse Christ’s lesson about the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20.”

2. Create strong, connected support pillars

Ask yourself…

  • “Do each of my points clearly tie to my SPS?”
  • If they had to stand alone, would they clearly do so?

A three-fold cord is not easily broken, and three support points are hard to beat.  But every point should be able to be tied into the SPS in your own mind.

If you don’t have the connection clearly in mind, don’t expect the audience to do any better.

3. Remember that a QUESTION is NOT an SPS. 

  • A question can serve as a title.
  • A question can serve as a means to present the SPS.
  • A question can help the speaker to develop an SPS.

However, remember that an SPS is a Specific Purpose Statement.  What is the point that you are trying to get across to your audience?  What “statement” are you trying to prove, support, or explain to your audience?

A question is not an SPS!

Speak well!