There are many ways to create great sermons and outlines. The 3-point sermon outline is a popular approach. A 3-point sermon has 1 major theme or message supported by just three points. Because they have a simple format, 3-point sermons are easier for congregations to understand and apply.
However, creativity takes a lot of mental energy, and finding new ideas can be difficult, even with a 3-point sermon outline. Pastors need to continue to stay fresh in their approach. If they fail to do this then a sort of intellectual or creative atrophy can set in with the congregation.
To avoid that, let’s change up the standard 3-point sermon outline with 5 innovative strategies. These fresh methods can help deepen engagement and deliver impactful messages.
Strategy 1: Answer 3 Probing Questions
There are three probing questions every listener in your congregation is going to ask during your message:
What do I need to know?
What is the main point or theme of the message? Bridge the gap from the cultural audience of your chosen Biblical passage to today’s audience. What is the main point the writer of the book or letter you’re looking at wanted to convey to their audience? The job of the pastor is to help the current audience understand what the main point is for them in today’s culture.
Why do I need to know this?
Your congregation needs to know what are the rewards and consequences of this Scripture’s message.
What am I being asked to do?
How can this message be applied in today’s world?
This point makes the sermon transformational. The Holy Spirit works most powerfully when He is prompting people to take the next steps by obeying the Word of God. This question helps the listener know what to do when they leave the worship service.
Strategy 2: Make Each Point a Practical Application
Another approach to freshen up the 3-point sermon outline is to make each one a point of action. These points would have verbs to push the people to act upon what they have learned.
Example Outline:
How to Live Like Jesus
- Live on mission
- Live with passion
- Live for service
Strategy 3: Three Themes from Scripture
This technique is excellent for expository or verse-by-verse teaching. If a pastor is teaching a lengthy passage of Scripture then this will help them break the passage down into more “chewable” pieces for their audience. The points can be introduced before and expounded upon during the message. For instance, for a sermon on Romans 5, a pastor’s 3-point sermon outline could look like
- The Situation of Sin in the World
- The Problem of Sin for Every Person
- The Solution to Sin Is Salvation
Strategy 4: Use One-Word Points
Less is more. Again, people can only remember so much information. One-word points make your sermons simple but memorable. This is another excellent way to help the listener retain what they have heard.
Strategy 5: Create Memorable Points with Rhyme and Alliteration
The final creative way for a 3-point outline is to use rhyme and alliteration.
Using Rhyme
What makes pop songs on the radio memorable is that they rhyme. This is why children are taught nursery rhymes at an early age. Rhyming helps make the point memorable.
It may seem a little “Dr. Seussish” at first, but it is remarkable how people can remember those rhymes. A simple rhyme is also portable: your listeners can take this message with them wherever they go.
Using Alliteration
Alliteration can also be a useful tool. Alliteration is the occurrence of the same letter or sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. Using the same sounds and letters helps the listeners understand and then it can be applied.
Breathe New Life Into Your 3-Point Sermon Outlines
The 3-point sermon outline is a simple but powerful way to convey the main points of any sermon. There are so many ways to use the 3-point outline to inspire and encourage the listeners. However, over time the pastor will need to use new ways of delivering this type of outline so it doesn’t get “stale” to the congregation.
It will be challenging at first and may take extra time but the trade-off is that the congregation will be more engaged. This in turn will help their spiritual life and bring vitality to the church. The extra time and energy are well worth the payoff of using these 5 innovative strategies in developing exciting, new 3-point outline messages.
