. THE THEME (continued)
C. Characteristics of the Theme. 1. Clearness. 2. Propriety (Up to date). 3. Freshness (Originality). 4. Fullness and Sufficiency. . THE INTRODUCTION. Greek--a way or a road. Latin--to begin a web, to lay the warp, being to weave A. Three Characteristics of the Introduction. 1. Be brief--Do not drag. Get off the ground. Important business to take care of. Introduction sets the stage. [Convince them that you know where you are going and encourage them to come along.] [Do not waste words.] 2. Be interesting--It is not a sin to make truth interesting. 3. Be arresting--Rob the people of their attention. Thrust the hearts. B. Purposes of the Introduction. 1. To awaken (arouse) interest in the theme. 2. To obtain their interest. 3. To prepare the people for what is to follow. 4. To prepare the people for an understanding of the subject. 5. To enable the speaker to overcome obstacles. Human nature -- Why bring that up? -- So what? [How long will this take?] a. Sit in the pew yourself. b. Listen to your own sermons. 6. To create the desired atmosphere. [Settle the people down.] 7. To develop the interest. 8. To explain the text. 9. To shape the proposition. 10. To render the people teachable--Hear me out. --Listen up. [People think they know it all.] [Remove hostility that exists.] [Establish repore.] C. The Importance of the Introduction. It is required by the law of the human soul.[You may need to introduce yourself.]