5 W’S AND AN H
We must look for the main point whenever we read a biblical text to share with others. It is always best to look for one central point. It may have sub-points, but leaving people with one central point is often best as it's easiest to remember.
Finding the main point can be done by asking the text some questions:
What?
Why?
When?
Where?
Who?
How?
These can be applied as follows:
What was said? What happened? What did they do?
Why was that said? Why did that happen? Why was he there?
When did this happen? When did she say this? When was she there?
Where did this happen? Where was this said? Where did he go?
Who said this? To whom was this said? Who did this?
How was this accomplished? How did she say it? How did she act?
These are only examples, but they give you the idea. The questions will change depending on genre and context.
It is important that you note down your findings, either in a notebook or on a separate 3x5 card for each thought, which you can then shuffle around later into some order.
The main point will reveal itself by repeatedly asking the 5W's & an H.
Make notes every time you ask a question.
Write every point that reveals itself on a 3x5 card.
When you've exhausted the text, lay out all the cards before you and re-arrange them in an outline.
As you look at the cards or your notes, ask:
What's the main point?
What are sub-points?
You could do this as a mindmap.
You should now have the barebones of your message for further investigation.
Remember that this is for a 10-minute message based on a Psalm.
TIPS
It is essential when you are going to share a message with others that it is true. This seems simple but requires some thought. Check every message you create with other biblical passages to ensure you are correct in what you are saying. You also need to avoid spiritualising the text so that it loses its original context. You also need to be wary of sharing something that may be something God has spoken to you but does not apply to everyone. God often speaks to us personally through our quiet time, but this devotional reading differs greatly from sharing a universal biblical truth.
Finally, when you have finished your message or an outline, checking some commentaries on the passage in question is always helpful to see what they say. This will help you avoid making major blunders. Enduring Word is a simple online commentary that can help you with this, or you can purchase a commentary on the book you are studying. We recommend the NIV Application Commentaries.
Please note that this page has been specifically created to help with our Summer in the Psalms project and is not intended as a complete process for preparing sermons.