A course of lectures on preaching - Dabney - XI - Lecture 11 (Constituent members of the sermon cont.)

Required reading
A course of lectures on preaching by RL Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture 11 (Constituent members of the sermon cont).

My summary
Today Dabney continues to teach us about the constituent members of a sermon, which he has previously suggested are:
(i) an introduction;
(ii) an exposition;
(iii) a proposition;
(iv) a main argument;
(v) a conclusion.

Dabney has already taught us about the the introduction, exposition and proposition.  This week he steps over the main argument (but will return to it in subsequent chapters) and focuses on conclusions.

Firstly we learn that there are five kinds of conclusions:
(i) introducing the more general truth under which the proposition of the sermon is comprehended;
(ii) an idea is introduced which, while single and particular, bears to all the heads of the sermon the relation of a representative epitome or summary;
(iii) inferences or corollaries;
(iv) recapitulation;
(v) practical application;

Then Dabney adds some remarks applicable to all the types of conclusions.

What grabbed me
I do agree with Dabney that practical application is the most appropriate conclusion for sermons: 'The fifth species of conclusion is the practical application. This is the most appropriate termination for the ethical or practical sermon ; but it is not unsuitable for the doctrinal, as is clear from the maxim, that doctrines should be preached practically as well as duties doctrinally. The object of the application is to bring the truth which has been established in the discussion to bear immediately upon the conscience and will. Since every rhetorical discourse aims at a practical determination of the hearer's will, it is obvious that this species of conclusion is in the strictest accordance with the design of eloquence.'

I think questions are one of the best ways of driving the sermon into the hearts of the listeners.  And so I usually conclude my sermons with a list of questions that spring from the propositions that I have defended as my main points.

Next week's reading
Read Lecture 12 (Sources of argument).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.