Lesson Goal
Learn how to preach without notice.
Lesson Intro
2 Timothy 4:2 tells preachers to always be ready to give a sermon. There comes a time when you will show up at a church service only to be asked to pinch hit for someone else who had been scheduled to speak. Perhaps you are on vacation and visiting a church in a different town, and are offered the sermon slot for the day. It happens! How do people do it? In the sermon on preaching without notes, we learned how to preach extemporaneously. Now it's time to crank the ratchet up one more notch and discuss how to preach impromptu, without notice or forewarning.
Lesson Plan
We will look at how to give an impromptu sermon, starting out with the spare sermon, then moving on to the special request, the extraordinary request, the exegetical request, the topical request, preparing for the unprepared ahead of time and end up with a few general pointers.
Lesson Body
1. The Spare Sermon
Most preachers have a spare sermon or two up their sleeves so to speak. Look at some preacher's Bibles and you will discover the notes for a few spare sermons hidden away in the back. Some preachers even have a few standard sermons that they have polished for years and are ready to give at a moment's notice. That is certainly one way to be always ready to preach. However, the spare sermon is not always the right answer for a particular situation. Sometimes, it just does not fit the need of the hour. There are other techniques that can help as well.
2. The Special Request
Every preacher has had some experiences which they may be called upon to testify about or report on. It may be a mission trip, a church camp, a specialized ministry, an area of expertise such as the understanding of a particular doctrine or ministry process. Someone who is a church planter or a worship leader for instance, may be called upon at any time to explain some principles relating to that specialty. Usually, in such cases, the subject matter is not a major problem. All the preacher has to do is organize a few thoughts to make a logical flow. We will discuss that a little later.
3. The Extraordinary Request
Sometimes unexpected events such as a sudden death, tragedy, emergency, cause for celebration, or other events good or bad can create a request for a preacher to speak impromptu in an area where the subject matter may not be as familiar. This is perhaps the hardest impromptu to give. Yet, even here, a few moments forethought can help greatly.
4. The Exegetical Request
This is often an easy impromptu to give because, as we covered in previous lessons, the points of the sermon can be easily found in the text. The difficulty here is whether or not you are able to pick the text or are given one. Knowing a little about the text already can be a great help. If you are totally unfamiliar with the text, thinking out loud on your feet, can help the audience actually see the mental processes that one should go through in analyzing a text. You can actually say out loud that the best way to analyze a text is to begin with certain steps, such as context, natural reading, historical background (if you know it) and so on.
If you are unable to answer a particular question about the text, that can also be good. People need to understand that some questions will remain unanswered and that forcing an answer into a text is bad. So, saying that the information in the text does not allow you to answer the question, unless there is something you are missing, can be an excellent example of dealing honestly with the text of Holy Scripture.
If you are able to answer a particular question about the text, that is just as good. Here you need to explain why the text answers the question. Explain the logic behind your answer. If you know some of the Greek or Hebrew from earlier research, that will help, but if you don't say so. Say that you'd like to do more research into the text. However, if there are several answers, say that too. Help people to realize that being ambivalent about a text of scripture is not being wishy-washy, but being honest. Sometimes, being dogmatic can be dishonest.
5. The Topical Request
If you are asked to preach on a topic, such as a tragedy, or a blessing, that is fine as well. There are some simple rules which we will discuss later, that can help here. However, if you can think of a fitting scripture that also explains the topic, use it by all means. Make sure that you are following all the rules of good exegesis and not cramming an unsuitable text into an only somewhat related topic. If however, there is a common principle that the text and the topic have, that can be good to use.
6. Preparing Ahead of Time
Believe it or not, you can actually prepare for an impromptu ahead of time, even though you may not know when you may need to be ready. How? First of all, remember that we speak impromptu all the time. Every conversation is a mini-impromptu. It's part of everyday life. Second, life is preparation. You may not have had advanced notice for a particular situation, but you have had preparation from your life's experiences. You are already somewhat prepared to talk on a whole range of topics. Third, there are some little tricks you can learn, which will help keep your impromptu organized. These are general outlines that fit a wide variety of sermons that you can memorize ahead of time.
Most of the time, you will have some short time to prepare. Sometimes you will have no time to prepare. If you are asked to preach at the beginning of a church service, be brave and ask if there is a quiet room somewhere where you can pray and prepare. If nothing else is available, use the men's room. If you can, get a paper and pen and make some notes. Here are a few general outlines which may help. Pick a couple for memorization:
Purpose, Design, Remarks
Intro, Body, Outro
Specific to General
General to Specific
Increasing Importance
Decreasing Importance
Problem, Cause, Solution
Point, Reason, Proof
Past, Present, Future
Point, Reason, Example, Point
Physical, Spiritual
Advantages, Disadvantages
7. A Few Pointers
If you can't think of one of the outlines listed above, just jot down two, three or four headings if you have time. Remember to approach the lectern with confidence and enthusiasm as I described above. That will help you get off to a good start.
Never, ever apologize for your lack of preparation. You will only possibly accomplish three things, all of which are bad. One, you will look silly. Nobody needs to apologize for something that is not their fault. Two, the person who invited you to speak may look bad for having offered you the chance in the first place. Three, it may even seem like you are trying to blame them or are complaining rather than grateful for the opportunity. It's just plain better all around, if you say nothing about being this being an ad lib presentation.
If you are normally tied to your notes or a well prepared outline, don't be surprised if people tell you that is the best sermon they have every heard you give. This is not to encourage you to always give unplanned, impromptu sermons. That will end up eventually being very empty and hollow. But perhaps it is an encouragement for you to speak extemporaneously (thoroughly prepared, but having left your notes at home) more often.
Example 1
Suppose I was asked to give a spur-of-the-moment report on a mission project. Let's say I have 60 seconds before I have to speak. I don't even have time to write anything down. I utter a brief prayer and decide I will choose a past-present-future outline.
My purpose is obvious. I'm going to explain the history of that ministry. That's easy, because I am familiar with it. Now all I need to do is think quickly of a suitable outro and intro. So, I stand up and approach the podium confidently and enthusiastically, because I really am thrilled about the particular mission, even if I am rather nervous.
I ask a few rhetorical questions to spark interest, as my introduction, then I'm off. The sermon has three points, the past history of the mission, the present goings on, and the future plans. I make sure that I don't go overtime on each point, so that I can fit the rest in. I conclude with an appeal for prayer and support and take my seat.
Example 2
Suppose I was asked to explain a particular passage of scripture. Pick one at random from your own Bible right now. Start asking yourself some questions. What is a natural pericope? What is the context? What do I already know about this passage? Are there particular interpretation difficulties in this passage? Is this passage part of a common urban legend whereby it is often twisted? What is the audience's understanding on this passage, and whose toes am I going to step on if I say certain things? Will this be the appropriate time to step on any toes? Remember, that if there is going to be a negative point in the sermon, do not leave it until the end. The end must be positive.
What are some natural points that this pericope gives? Do I remember anything special about the passage such as a Greek or Hebrew word, the historical background, etc? What are some excellent applications that people can take home with them today? Do I know of any stories that might be applicable?
Now imagine that you are already heading to the pulpit. That was all the preparation you are going to get. Be determined to start off on the right foot. Win the audience over with a smile and your natural enthusiasm. Give a relevant introduction. Perhaps it will be a few relevant questions to spark interest. Deliver your outline and while you are doing that, be thinking ahead of time as to how you are going to end this thing. Remember the outro is very important. It may just be a summary and that may be the best for now. Make it strong and positive, then just sit down.
Suggested Assignment
If you are in a classroom situation, that is the best opportunity to practice. Have everyone write down some sermon titles on pieces of paper with their name on them. The professor of the class could then grab pieces of paper at random, only making sure that your name is not on the sheet as having authored the idea. Then you are given your title and asked to immediately stand and give a three minute off the cuff sermonette on that theme.
If you are simply reading this preaching manual for personal development, then the best idea is to take the list above and write it into the back of your preaching Bible. Then if and when you are faced with such a situation, you have at least a start.
Lesson Outro
We looked at how to give an impromptu sermon, starting out with the spare sermon, then moving on to the special request, the extraordinary request, the exegetical request, the topical request, preparing for the unprepared ahead of time and end up with a few general pointers. Spontaneous preaching can have a certain sense of adrenaline to it, so relax and trust God and work systematically through your outline.
