Do you use and outline?

[ddc101]

I for one use an outline as it keeps me on tract.
I cannot imagine teaching without an outline or handouts or a
message or bullitan board.I feel that you can do this and still give room for the Lord to have the freedom to veer you a different way.
But I know some who only pray and have nothing prepared before church service.
What do you think as a minister or teacher about being prepared and or using an outline?do you think its too stringent or do you think it hinders?
And lastly do you think God can give you the message before hand and allow you to be prepared or does he have to wait on your prechurch prayer time?

[Apollos]

An outline is very useful.

If you are called, then you have a message. If people are to trust your message, you will need to use the Sciptures. If I want the audience to understand and take to heart the message, I want to think about who I am teaching and what will enhance the delivery. That takes preparation. It should really take over-preparation.

Then, before it is is time to deliver the message that you have been given, studied, fasted, and prayed over- it is necessary to seek the Lord's face again, on the occasion of the presentation. His guidance should be sought, even after the preparation. He may alter the manner, the order, the references, or even the whole topic. Generally because someone there needs something specific that you would have no way of knowing about in advance.

Sometimes, the Lord can tell us NOT to prepare, as He wants us to be especially open to His Spirit. But this is when our daily preparation kicks in. If we have been studying as we should, praying and fasting, His Spirit can bring to mind whatever references we will need on the spur of the moment.

But, I would say, many (not to say most) that eschew preparation or outlines or notes to help you stay on topic- often speak many words and sentences that don't add up to much. This usually illustrates their lack of overall preparation in their ministry.

[ddc101]

amen I love to teach so I suppose that is why I love outlines.It helps because in front of a crowd you can so easily forget to add an ingredient that you spent hours digging out to the "pot" so to speak.Though we need not to be overly stiff and not flow with the spirit.But being too lazy to study and just rely on the same old stories speaks very loudly about the love for souls of men.lv sis.c

[Apollos]

But being too lazy to study and just rely on the same old stories speaks very loudly about the love for souls of men.lv sis.c

And that seems to be the crux of the problem. Too many fishing stories, too many sports analogies, but so many saints have never even heard most of the Bible events (I refuse to call them 'stories'). It does take work to study (note Eccl. 12:12) but the spiritual benefits are tremendous.

Be encouraged to use your outlines and let the Spirit mold the method and delivery.

[frenzeus]

For me yes i usually used an outline but this doesn't matter that i will always relay to my outline, it is only a guide so you will not be lost. But i found that the anointing of the Spirit is the best, if you are anointed even you are only teaching the word of God, the anointing is always there and you cannot understand why. An i know all of us have anointing when we first recieved the Holy Ghost.

God bless you all.

Bro. Efren

[Pressing-On]

amen I love to teach so I suppose that is why I love outlines.It helps because in front of a crowd you can so easily forget to add an ingredient that you spent hours digging out to the "pot" so to speak.Though we need not to be overly stiff and not flow with the spirit.But being too lazy to study and just rely on the same old stories speaks very loudly about the love for souls of men.lv sis.c
LOL! I remember speaking to our ladies and I had five small notepads sheets with thoughts the Lord had given me. I spread them out on the front pew and said, "I don't know what order I'm going to go over these." LOL! I don't think I ever used them. LOL!

When I do teach a class I use an outline. So, yes, I agree with an outline. You have to be prepared to stay organized no matter what arises during the class.