Here are some general suggestions for framing a homiletical idea: State the idea as simply and as memorably as possible. Make each word count. State it for the ear. Listeners should not have to work to remember it. State the idea in concrete and familiar words. Study ads in magazines for slogans you remember. If you were given one sentence in which to communicate your idea to someone who didn’t know religious jargon and who couldn’t write it down, how would you say it? State the idea so that it focuses on response. How do you want your listeners to respond? Instead of “You can rejoice in
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