Part 5 of 7 · Story Lab
Tell stories that carry the message
Stories carry the weight of a message when they are short, true, and aimed at the main idea. Pick a story type, shape it in five beats, and place it in your path.
The way through
Seven quiet steps, from prayer to prayer
Take them in order, or go straight to the one you need. Each part stands on its own beside your Bible and notebook.
- 01Pray and studyMeet the text before you shape it.
- 02The four pathsFour outlines, with time maps.
- 03Find your pathSeven questions point toward a form.
- 04Seven commitmentsWhat belongs in every sermon.
- 05Story LabShort, true stories aimed at the point.
- 06Write your sermonDraft, save, and download as Word.
- 07Pray againHand the message back to God.
Start here · Part 1 of 7
Pray and study
A strong message begins long before the outline. Keep your Bible open and a notebook nearby. Pray first, then choose your text or topic and do the study that lets the passage speak before you decide how to structure it.
NextThe four paths
Part 2 of 7
The four paths
Four proven outlines have served preachers well. Read one in full or compare them side by side, and set the length of your message. The seven commitments that follow apply to all four.
Not sure which fits your text?Take the path finder
NextFind your path
Part 3 of 7 · The path finder
Find your path
With the four paths in mind, answer seven short questions about your text, your room, and your goal. The finder points to the path that fits, and a close second you can borrow from.
Part 4 of 7
Seven commitments for every sermon
Whichever path you choose, these belong in the message. They are written once here so each path can stay short.
Part 6 of 7
Write your sermon
Draft your outline, keep every sermon in a series, and download the finished draft as a Word document. Everything saves in this browser as you type. Write by hand first if you like, and gather it here when it is ready.
Your sermons are stored only in this browser. Download your draft as a Word document to keep it, because clearing site data will remove saved work.
NextPray again
Part 7 of 7 · Finish here
Pray again
Your draft is written. Before you carry it into the room, hand it back to God.
Want something to hold? The printable guide gathers the prayers, paths, commitments, and Story Lab on twenty pages.
Download the free guide (PDF)