Have you ever wondered how to create a Bible teaching outline? When it comes to teaching outlines, there are many different ways that you can create a Bible teaching outline. Bible teachers use different teaching methods when they teach.
Usually, Bible teachers prefer a specific teaching method both because they like it themselves and because they have discerned which teaching method will work best for their audience. Their teaching outlines will sometimes reflect that particular teaching method. For example, a teacher may like to teach without looking down at his or her notes frequently. In this instance, the best solution may be either a simple teaching outline for notes or no outline at all.
Another teacher may prefer to teach using a manuscript, which is a word-by-word script that is read by the teacher. In this case, the teaching outline would be very detailed.
This article covers the basics of how to create a Bible teaching outline. If you are looking for information about how to prepare to teach a Bible message, including more details regarding what goes into an outline, then take a look at this article:
How Do I Prepare to Teach a Bible Message?
Now, back to creating your Bible teaching outline. While there are many different types of teaching outlines out there, I’m going to show you how to create two basic types of teaching outlines:
- The simple 1-page outline
- The GPS outline
Are you ready to learn how to create a Bible teaching outline?
The Simple 1-Page Outline
If you like to use very minimal notes when teaching, or if you are planning to teach a shorter message or a devotional, then the simple 1-page outline is a great option. Here is a list of the key components of this outline, along with a short description for each component:
Summary: I recommend including these components at the top of the page as a reminder that the rest of your outline should flow from these three components.
- Message Title: Insert your message title here.
- Passage: Insert your message title here.
- Big Idea: Insert your big idea for your message here.
Outline: This is the teaching outline for your message.
- Opening Illustration: What story are you going to tell to capture the attention of your audience? Make sure the story relates to the big idea of your passage.
- Transition: This is a short sentence or two that connects your illustration with your passage. Ideally, it also incorporates your big idea.
- Passage: Write out the entire passage that you are teaching on here. If it’s a really long passage, then write out the reference.
- Main Points: Write out your main points here. Remember, your main points should support your big idea.
- Application: Write out a short description of your application here. What do you want the audience to do with what you have taught them so far?
For each component above, when creating your outline, just write down the bare minimum details needed in order for you to remember what to teach at each specific point of your message.
The GPS Outline
If you like to have notes with enough details that you can quickly glance down and keep track of where you are at in your message, then take a look at this GPS outline method. This is my preferred message outline for longer messages, sermons, conference messages, etc.
Why? Because I don’t have the time to memorize 30 minute messages every time I teach. This outline method helps so that you can follow your notes like a GPS – you don’t look at them the whole time, but they provide enough information for you to keep going the right direction.
If you fall into that category as well, take a look at this GPS outline method:
Summary: I recommend including these components at the top of the page as a reminder that the rest of your outline should flow from these three components.
- Message Title: Insert your message title here.
- Passage: Insert your message title here.
- Big Idea: Insert your big idea here.
Outline: This is the teaching outline for your message.
- Opening Illustration: What story are you going to tell to capture the attention of your audience? Make sure the story relates to the big idea of your passage.
- Transition: This is a short sentence or two that connects your illustration with your passage. Ideally, it also incorporates your big idea.
- Body of the Message:
- Main Points and Passage: Write out your first main point, then write out the verse or passage for that main point. Then, follow this method for each main point and the supporting verse(s). Between all of your main points, you should write out the entire passage that you are teaching on here.
- Subpoints: Write out your subpoints under each main point. Remember, your subpoints should support your main points. Subpoints could be focused on highlighting specific words from a verse, adding a cross-reference with another verse or passage, etc.
- Illustrations and Quotes: In this part of the outline, you can include your illustrations and quotes as subpoints to your main points.
- Application: Write out a short description of your application here. What do you want the audience to do with what you have taught them so far?
- Closing: For the closing, restate your big idea. Make sure the big idea is stated several times throughout your outline – this is a good reminder for you to make sure you say it multiple times while teaching!
There you go! For more helpful teaching preparation resources, check out the Lead412 blog.
