* * T H E  P R E A C H E R ' S   S T U D Y * *
    * * E Z I N E * *
  "Energize Your Preaching!"
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
  http://preacherstudy.com
  First Tuesday of April, 2001
   Subscribe on the web at:
http://preacherstudy.com/maillist.htm

  Published on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Back Issues available at:
    http://preacherstudy.com/bkissue.htm

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Editor's note: The material in this Ezine is covered by copyright. Reprint by author's permission only. You may forward it in its entirety to friends and associates. Please do not cut the articles out and paste them into other documents or publications without permission.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*

VISIT THE PREACHER’S STUDY WEBSITE! A wealth of sermons, lessons, and other items pertaining to preaching are available by subscription. An extensive free area is also available. Sermons are full-text and illustration filled. To see what some of our subscribers are saying, click on the link below:

http://preacherstudy.com/testimonials.htm

To view sample sermons:

http://preacherstudy.com/sample.htm

Or go to the home page at:

http://preacherstudy.com

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
IN THIS ISSUE:

[1] Greetings from the Editor

[2] Featured Article: What About Alliteration?

[3] Preacher's Study Website Updates

[4] On Subscribing to Our Website

[5] Contact Information

[6] Subscribe to this Ezine

[7] Copyright Information
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*

[1] *=*Greetings from the Editor

Greetings! A special  welcome to new subscribers.

Spring arrived early this year here in Western Oregon. Rather than the characteristically soggy view to which I am accustomed, I look out the window of my study upon a sudden sunny explosion of plant growth - trees and flowers blooming, and a lawn screaming to be mowed. I'll get to the later just as soon as I get this ezine out!

The practice of alliterating sermon outlines is both loved and hated by preachers. Some use it effectively. Others would be well-instructed to forget it.

I use alliteration in moderation in the preparation of my own sermons. I'm well aware that my hearers will decide on its advisability. The article below presents my opinions about it.

As is always the case with the articles in these mailings, if you find the material useful, put it to work. If not, simply send it into oblivion with your delete key.

God bless.

--Dave

[2] *=*Featured Article

What About Alliteration?

The American Heritage Electronic Dictionary defines alliteration as "The repetition of the same consonant sounds or of different vowel sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables…." It is commonly used by preachers as a tool for constructing the main divisions of sermons. Here are a couple of examples:

In a sermon on the ill-advised "solution" to Abraham's problem of childlessness in Genesis 16:

1. A Proposal (v. 1-3)
2. A Problem (v. 4-6)
3. A Promise (v. 7- 12)

This is the most common form of alliteration. The first letter of each key word is the same.

In a sermon that portrayed the outcome of the "solution" above, from Genesis 21:8-21:

1. A Joyful Celebration (v. 8)
2. A Resentful Persecution (v. 9-11)
3. A Painful Submission (v. 12-13)
4. A Faithful Preservation (14-21

The alliteration here is more subtle. In this case there are three common links between each main division: The presence of the syllables "ful" (Joyful, Resentful, etc.), the ending "ion" (Celebration, Persecution, etc.), and the similar "rhythm" of syllables in each division.

Some preachers love to alliterate their sermons. Others Parry the Practice with a Particularly Purple Passion. (!) This preacher falls somewhere between these two extremes. I use it sometimes when it seems advantageous but realize that it can quickly become a hindrance if not cautiously applied.

Here are some of the benefits of alliteration:

1. It appeals to our innate sense of order.

Human beings are orderly creatures. Made in the image of an orderly God, we're attracted to things that are organized. Disorder unsettles us. Order brings tranquillity. If done properly, an alliterated sermon conveys symmetry and balance.

2. It may provide a memory aid.

The theory here is that it is easier to remember the main divisions if they are roped together by a common first letter or syllable. In practice I'm not so sure this is true. I've never had a person come up to me three weeks after hearing an alliterated sermon and say, "I still remember the main divisions of your sermon because they all started with 'P'." I suspect that the important thing for them to remember is the impact of our sermon on their life and practice rather than our homiletic constructions. I may not remember every meal my wife cooked in the last three weeks, but the fact that I'm healthy is a testimony to the effectiveness of her efforts.

3. It forces the preacher to be concise.

When you spend the kind of protracted time on your main divisions that alliteration requires one of the side benefits is that you tend to tighten up your wording. This is good. My conviction is that the shorter the main divisions, the better. Of course this kind of tightening can be done without alliteration if you will just spend the time.

4. It's fun.

I speak from the preacher's perspective. Searching the thesaurus for just the right "D" word to complete your four-part alliterated sermon is akin to posing and solving a puzzle or riddle. It's exciting. Get two or three preachers around a table and let them toss around an alliteration. They'll have a ball with it as each one tries to outwit the others.

Given these advantages, why not alliterate all our sermons?

Well… here are some (alliterated) pitfalls. (Sorry. I couldn't help myself!)

1. Disorientation: Using words nobody knows.

In one of my sentences above I said, "Others Parry the Practice with a Particularly Purple Passion." Wasn't that a great alliteration? I'm rather proud of it. But did you know what the word "Parry" meant? I found it in my thesaurus. It isn't a word I use in my regular speech. Neither do I believe I've heard others in my association use it. In fact, I had to double-check the dictionary to be sure of the definition ("to deflect, evade, or avoid") before using it with you. I suppose if I addressed a convocation of sword fighters, it would find instant recognition. In my case however, it would probably serve only to confuse my hearers.

2. Distortion: Changing the meaning of Scripture.

This happens when, in order to complete the alliteration, we stretch the Scripture's meaning to fit our creation. Anything which results in twisting the meaning of God's word needs to be dropped like a steak infected with mad-cow disease, no matter how appealing it might seem. If you can't portray the clear meaning of Scripture by alliteration, don't use it.

3. Distraction: Drawing attention to the cleverness of the speaker rather than the truth.

I suppose this is a risk whenever we utilize any homiletic prop. John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30). This is a good motto for every preacher. We preach to exalt Christ, not ourselves. You and I need to be brutally honest in this matter. If our alliteration is nothing more than grandstanding, then it has no place.

4. Duplication: Using the same method too often.

Even if we use alliteration cautiously, carefully avoiding all of the pitfalls above, there is still the danger of too much of a good thing. If we jump out from behind the same bush to say, "boo" all the time, soon no one pays attention. The worst method we use may be the one we use all the time. Alliteration, with careful use, is only one tool among many. If you use it, don't overuse it.


So… is it Advantageous to Attentively Adhere to an Arduous Application of Alliteration?

Or do I Insinuate that if you Alliterate you will Obliterate your sermon's Mandate?

You (and your hearers) will have to decide. Just be sure that your message doesn't end up sounding anything like these two final sentences!

Copyright 2001, Dave Redick, The Preacher's Study. All Rights Reserved. Reprint by permission only (which will probably be granted if you just ask.) Please do not cut articles out of this ezine and paste them anywhere else without permission. You may, however, forward this entire Ezine to friends freely.

 
[3] *=*Preacher's Study Website Updates

Two new messages were added to the Premium Section of our Website since the last issue. New messages are added weekly. These may be viewed only if you are a Premium Subscriber.

"God's Got a Job for You" is based on God's call of Moses in Exodus. It highlights the truth that God has work for all of us to do.

"The Tiberius Question" is taken from John 21:8-19 and is built around Jesus question, "Do You Love Me?"

[4] *=*On Subscribing to Our Website

This ezine, The Preacher's Study Ezine, is actually an extension of my Website, The Preacher's Study. The two entities work hand-in-hand to promote what is unashamedly my greatest passion: promoting accurate, interesting, relevant preaching of God's Word. If you enjoy these articles, please do visit the Website. You'll find some quality of material there. Yes, there is a modest subscription fee for access to part of it, namely the Premium area, but I believe that, as our current Subscribers testify again and again, you'll find good value. All of us purchase books and commentaries to enhance our understanding of the Bible and improve our preaching. Some of these simply become inert additions to already crowded bookshelves. A subscription to The Preacher's Study will not likely become shelfware. Come see for yourself at:

http://preacherstudy.com


[5] *=*Contact Information

The Preacher's Study Website & Ezine
http://preacherstudy.com
"Energize Your Preaching"
Owner: Dave Redick
Email: editor@preacherstudy.com
To subscribe to this Ezine go to:
http://preacherstudy.com/maillist.htm
Back issues available at:
http://preacherstudy.com/bkissue.htm
US Mail:
The Preacher's Study
1470 Westwood Lane
Sweet Home, OR 97386


[6]*=*Easy subscribe/unsubscribe Instructions

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the following web page and follow the simple instructions:

http://preacherstudy.com/maillist.htm

[Your email address will be kept fully confidential and will never be sold or given to anyone.]

[7] *=*Copyright Information

The material in this Ezine is copyrighted 2001 by The Preacher's Study. Reprint articles by permission only. Please do not cut and paste this material into any other documents. You may, however, forward the email version to friends and associates.