The document explores sermon styles used by significant preachers from the 18th to 21st centuries, examining their homiletical effectiveness and contextual adaptations. It categorizes various sermon types, such as expository, topical, and narrative preaching, and discusses how preaching has evolved due to cultural shifts and criticism. The effectiveness of a sermon form depends on multiple factors, including the biblical text, preaching purpose, occasion, and audience characteristics.

1. Liverpool Mission Academy
PP100
Preaching and Communication Theory:
Exploring Sermon Styles
www.preachersforum.org

2. Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate the homiletical effectiveness of
sermon styles used by various important
preachers.
2. Critically distinguish the differences
between different types of sermons.
3. Rate the effectiveness of those different
types of sermons for different liturgical
contexts.

3. In the case of the following preachers
from the 18th-21st centuries, we want to
know…
• What styles of preaching did they use?
• What exactly about those styles made
their preaching effective in their day
and time?
• How has preaching evolved
throughout the centuries, and why
does it continue to change?

4. 18 th Century: George Whitefield
Expository and narrative preaching

5. 18 th Century: Charles John Wesley
Wesley
Expository preaching
Preached through poetry
and hymns

6. Jonathan Edwards
Puritan ‘plain style’ of preaching

7. 19 th Century: Charles
Spurgeon Expository, topical
and thematic preaching

8. 20 th Century: Dr Martin Luther
King Jr.

9. Dr John Stott
Expository preaching

10. 20 th -21 st Centuries: Bill Hybels, Willow Creek,
Chicago
‘Seeker-oriented’ topical preaching

11. Nicky Gumbel—Alpha Course
Propositional, topical and doctrinal preaching

12. Mike Pilavachi—Soul Pastor Mike Fuller
Survivor —”Through the Bible
in 50 Minutes”
Narrative and expository
preaching Use of multimedia in
preaching

13. Rob Bell, Mars Hill; NOOMA
Conversational style, topical and
propositional preaching

14. The Bible is ‘a 2,000 page sleeping pill’ –
Reverend Lovejoy
Reverend Timothy
Lovejoy
First Church of Springfield

15. Conclusions
• Preaching continues to evolve as it is re-
worked and reconceived by its best
practitioners.
• The impact of historical, literary and
rhetorical criticism has impacted both
exegesis and preaching forms and styles.
• The ‘listening context’ has changed
drastically since the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Today preachers (and the Bible also) no
longer gain automatic acceptance from their
listeners due to their position as clergy or
their association with the church as an
institution within Western society.

16. Overview: Various Sermon Styles
• Propositional Sermons
• Deductive Sermons
• Inductive Sermons
• Problem-Solution Sermons
• Etymological Sermons
• Analytical Sermons
• Analogical Sermons
• Biographical Sermons

17. • Pastoral Sermon
• Doctrinal Sermon
• Book Sermon
• Chapter Sermon
• Topical Sermon
• Thematic Sermon
• Narrative Sermon
• Expository Sermon
• Liturgical Sermon

18. • ‘Rite of Passage Sermons’
– Funeral Sermon
– Wedding Sermon
– Baptismal/Confirmation Sermon
– Christening/baby dedication sermon
• Musical Sermons
• Dramatic Sermons
• Doctrinal Sermons
• Apologetic Sermons

19. 5 Sermon Styles
1. Technical Sermons
• Analogical—analogies from historical or
current societal myths and relating to the Bible
• Propositional—‘main idea’ sermons
• Deductive—begin with an interpretative
hypothesis and demonstrate its validity
• Inductive—ask questions of the text and arrive
at an interpretative conclusion
• Analytical—in-depth study of a biblical concept
(justification, redemption etc).
• Etymological--focus on Greek or Hebrew word-
studies
• Problem-solution—sets up the text as an
interpretative problem to be solved
• Expository—verse-by-verse ‘running
commentary’ with illustrations and applications

20. 2. Dogmatic Sermons (doctrinal
traditions)
A. Pastoral sermons—addressing pastoral
issues and congregational concerns
B. Doctrinal sermons—theological
distinctives or denominational beliefs
C. Topical sermons—biblical or relevant
contemporary topic (marriage and
singleness, finances, depression)
D. Thematic sermons—biblical book or
chapter themes (‘light and darkness’ in the
book of John; ‘forgiveness’ in Matt. 18).
E. Apologetic—defence of the Christian faith

21. 3. Liturgical Sermons (liturgical
calendar or special events: Easter,
Lent, Christmas etc).
4. ‘Rite-of-Passage’ Sermons
A. Christening/dedication
B. Baptism/confirmation
C. Weddings
D. Funerals

22. 5. Missional Sermons
A. Narrative sermons—1st and 3rd
person narratives, ‘plot-like’ sermons
B. Biographical sermons—biblical
characters like Jonah or Paul
C. Dramatic sermons—acting out
passages or biblical concepts
D. Musical sermons—multimedia or
clips set to music; use of meaningful
songs (Ray Boltz, ‘Watch the Lamb’)

23. Conclusions
Deciding upon which sermon form to utilize, and its
ultimate potential effectiveness, depends upon a
variety of factors, including:
– The form and genre of the biblical text and its impact upon
the sermon form itself (narrative text = narrative sermon?)
– Evaluating the purpose of preaching itself: are you
attempting to impart knowledge, elicit emotions, change
beliefs, attitudes, values etc.?
– The occasion (holiday, event, liturgical calendar etc).
– Addressing unique situations or national emergencies
(e.g., 9/11)
– The culture of the listening audience
– Audience analysis (age, beliefs, worldview, etc).
– Sensitively addressing pastoral concerns facing the
particular congregation
(Adapted from class notes written by Rev. Dan Yarnell & Rev Dr Andy Hardy, Springdale College,
England)