Sermon template

I'm new to Logos and just got started with the Bronze package. I was wondering if there was anyway to structure a sermon template that would load automatically in the sermon editor. I use a template in my sermon writing that follows a set pattern. That way all my sermons follow basically the same format week to week. The pattern is based on Andy Stanley's book "Communicating for a Change".

I have this template set up in Libre Office. Looks something like this:

ME - Orientation
WE - Identification
GOD - Illumination
YOU - Application
WE - Inspiration
(There is more to my template, but this is the basic idea)

I then fill in the blanks (the actual sermon) - this gives a consistency week to week, month to month.

I would like to set this into Logos sermon editor so that each week it pops up automatically. I do not see a way to do this. Anyone here have a suggestion? I don't want to type the format each week.

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JT (alabama24)

I don't use the sermon editor, but I love that you are using the outline.

Richard Villanueva

I would like to set this into Logos sermon editor so that each week it pops up automatically. I do not see a way to do this. Anyone here have a suggestion? I don't want to type the format each week. 

First off, that would be an interesting feature to add - Sermon Templates. There are several ways to write and format a sermon (From Three Points and a Poem on through to Andy's Outline here, maybe MP's I-Beam sermon format?) Makes an easy way to help jump-start one's writing, like the Sermon Outline Resources.

Secondly, one workaround way you could do this is by creating a Sermon Document that serves as a template.

You could insert it into a Study or Writing Layout you like for your Sermon Writing.
Save it as a Saved layout named something like "Andy Stanley Layout" or "Communicating for a Change Layout" or whatever.
Open the Layout from the Layouts Menu or make a Shortcut icon up top and it will pop up (just like the attached picture.)
Open an Unnamed Sermon File, copy and paste the Template body tot he Unnamed Document and go from there.

I tried saving an "Unnamed Sermon" to the layout, but as soon as you change the body and title, the next time you open the layout the updated Sermon will appear instead of the "Unnamed Sermon." I have a Sermon Doc icon saved in shortcuts, so it's one easy click.

This would make your workflow:

Open Saved Layout
Open New Sermon Doc
Copy Template Body
Paste Template Body to the new Untitled Sermon
Close Template Sermon Doc
Study/Write!

Any better ideas out there??

Pieter J.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/964791#Comment_964791

Tim, welcome to the Logos Forum.

There are only workarounds for what you try to do. The way I do it is to create a Personal Book with sermon outlines or templates. Then using a custom Highlight with a Label I Highlight each template in the Personal Book as a Sermin Outline. You can then rightclick in the Personal Book and select "send to Sermon"

I do not have internet access on my computer at this stage. If you are interested I'll try to type instructions on how to do this on my phone.

Keith Pang

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/967197#Comment_967197

Good ol' Andy Stanley outline...nice

Pieter J.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/967197#Comment_967197

Sample Image

Pieter J.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/967202#Comment_967202

Detailed Instructions and some Templates (Personal Book)7633.Sermon Templates.docx

Tim Brunk

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/967234#Comment_967234

Thanks everyone! Very helpful!!!

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/967234#Comment_967234

Here is an expanded "Classic Expository Preaching" that I picked up from a Homiletics I teacher at Moody Bible Institute (Mr. Oldham) who retired Spring 1984. This template merges your "Classic Expository" with your "Practical"

INTRODUCTION:

Attention Getter
Main Idea of the text stated as a Homiletic Thesis (Complete Sentence with an Action Verb)

Supporting Principle from the text #1

Principle stated (complete sentence with an action verb)
Principle explained (What?)
Principle illustrated (So What?)
Principle Applied (Now What?)

Supporting Principle from the text #2

Principle stated
Principle explained
Principle illustrated
Principle Applied

Number of supporting principles determined by the Biblical Text

CONCLUSION:

Homiletic Thesis/Big Idea restated
The "Big Ask" - tell the congregation that you expect a response to the truth of the text.

By ensuring that each Main Point comes from the text and supports the pericope's big idea it helps the preacher do something that Walt Kaiser exhorts: "Keep your finger on the text!!"

Enmanuel

Hello Tim,

I am learning Logos 8 and I just found a workaround of your issue as I was facing it also. here it is:

I just started creating my layout in a new Sermon Document, I can predefine all the styles for my titles and headings (h1, h2, illustration, prompt, etc.)
Then gave the document a generic name as "Sermon Template Layout"
With your faithlife account, you can access the repository of all your documents using https://documents.logos.com/
Once you log in, you should find your sermon "Sermon Template Layout" in the list, and from the action button on the right just click on Duplicate document.
Go back to the actual logos software and click on the Sync button that you have.
After the synchronization, you should have a "Sermon Template Layout (2)" with all the styles like the original one. which you could edit and use as your new layout, leaving the first doc intact as a template for your future sermons.

This approach worked for me pretty well, because from just copying and pasting my layout over a new sermon doc would not keep the styles of my headings beyond the h1 and h2.

Hope this helps,

Hector

Sean Crow

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1095706#Comment_1095706

Hi Hector,

Thanks for the response. I've been following and struggling with the same and appreciate your suggestion, since it seems there's not much "inter-connection" thinking between Logos notes, workflows, and sermon editor.

At least in my opinion, they should include a styles dropdown for notes (and better yet, mirror the dropdown list already in sermon editor), then usefulness of notes and inter-optimization of staying within Logos instead of using Word is even stronger. Plus, some of us who like to not duplicate our work in different parts of the same software can justify its expense even more easily...

Grace and peace,

Sean

Lucas de Moura Rodrigues Vargas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/970413#Comment_970413

Such a good structure! I'll try to apply this. I liked because combine classical with modern approach. If there is some book / youtube video that devolopes this approach, let me now.

Thanks bro

Lucas de Moura Rodrigues Vargas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/970413#Comment_970413

Such a good structure! I'll try to apply this. I liked because combine classical with modern approach. If there is some book / youtube video that devolopes this approach, let me now.

Thanks bro

David S

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/970413#Comment_970413

Here is an expanded "Classic Expository Preaching" that I picked up from a Homiletics I teacher at Moody Bible Institute (Mr. Oldham) who retired Spring 1984. This template merges your "Classic Expository" with your "Practical"

I'm dredging up an old post having just found this... I'm looking forward to trying it! I love that it focuses on the text and not just practical advice, which Stanley's model risks doing... making Scripture a way of backing up points I'm going to make anyway!

In the intervening 6 years, have you developed this idea or moved on to something else?