Expository Outlines for Sermons and Bible Studies

Old Testament

New Testament

A Word About Method:

There are four commonly recognized approaches to outlining a Biblical text for the purpose of expository teaching or preaching.  They are as follows:

1.  The Key Word Outline which:
     a.  States the main idea of the text;
     b.  Casts the main idea as a probing question;
     c.  Answer the question with a key word; and,
     d.  Develops the main points of the text with short
     sentences that serve as answers to the question in b.

2.  The Analytical Outline which:
     a.  States the main idea of the text; and,
     b.  Formulates main points usually with individual words or
     phrases that analyze the main idea or the textual content.

3.  The Inductive Outline which:
     a.  States the main idea; and,
     b.  Develops a message that moves inductively toward the 
     main idea from the specifics of the text to the general 
     principle.

4.  The Homiletical Outline which:
     a.  States the main idea;
     b.  Identifies important words or concepts to be explained
     and discussed in the text;
     c.  Devises illustrations and contemporary applications for
     various portions of the passage; and,
     d.  Takes the listener through the text explaining, illustrating
     and applying as you go, and  reminding the listener of the   
     main idea as appropriate.

Each of these methods may be more suitable than the others depending on the particular text of Scripture you are considering, but in general the Key Word Outline is preferable for the following reasons: 1) Every sentence of the outline has built in applicability from the text for the listener; 2) It keeps the outline simple; 3) It ensures unity, namely that the message is about one central idea;4) It helps order your thoughts so that ideas are presented in a natural and logical sequence; 5) It provides much better clarity for the listeners, so that they know exactly where you’ve been, where you’re going and what you want them to get out of the message; 6) It keeps the preacher/teacher on track and in focus; and, 7) It greatly aids memory and recall of the message.

For example, compare these two potential outlines of 2 Corinthians 2:1-5.  The main idea would be the same for both and could be stated as follows: “In this text, God gives us a pattern for how to share the good news of Jesus Christ.”  The outline based on your different methods might then be:

Key Word Outline:                    
1.  Share the Gospel plainly (vv. 1-2).
2.  Share the Gospel in spite of fear (v. 3).
3.  Share the Gospel without pride or self-reliance (v. 4). 
4.  Share the Gospel in reliance on the Holy Spirit (vv. 4-5).

Analytical Outline:
1.  Simply(v.1-2)
2.  Courageously (v. 3)
3.  Humbly (v. 4)
4.  Powerfully (vv. 4-5)

Now both outlines will allow the typical pastor or Sunday school teacher to move effectively through the text, giving a faithful exposition.  They may even say exactly the same things in their messages. But for the typical members of your congregation, who just listened and maybe filled in a couple of blanks, consider the difference when they pull the notes out of their Bible covers and glance at them six months or even a year down the road.  The first outline will tell them immediately what the text and message were about and drive home the application to their own personal lives.  The second outline will very likely leave them scratching their heads.  The first outline might recall a specific illustration to their minds, make them look up the passage of scripture and reread it, or even spark a memory of how they prayed and committed in that service to share Christ with a co-worker.  It might get stuck to a refrigerator or mirror as a reminder.  The second outline will probably get tossed in the round file with a smattering of bulletins and other inserts.

So you see the strength of the Key Word Outline over the other approaches.  The weakness is that it is more appropriate to didactic passages of Scripture and sometimes tends to breakdown when you come to narrative texts.  For the most part, the expository outlines provided here will be based on the Key Word method and use the other methods as needed.  For a more in depth discussion of these methods and how to bridge from a text of Scripture to a sermon or lesson see the Sunday School Resources page.