Is anyone familiar with the "Decker Grid System"
While scanning my library I noticed that I own the following book, "Preaching with Bold Assurance" http://www.logos.com/product/7416/preaching-with-bold-assurance-a-solid-and-enduring-approach-to-engaging-exposition.
So, before I spend time reading the book, I wondered if I could get some opinions?
1. If you have read the book, what is your opinion of the book?
2. If you use or have used the Decker Grid System that the book promotes, what is your opinion?
3. If you use the Decker Grid System have you found a computerized method of doing the sticky note part of the system (I'm at a point that I cannot see ever going back to a manual pen and paper method of sermon prep.
Thanks in advance,
Pastor James
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I have read it, I think the underlying concepts are good. The Decker system imposes a specific set of techniques on how to go about applying good foundational principles; I found the techniques to be a little burdensome but I thought the underlying concepts were solid, and one would either learn from it or get a good refresher. He really hits the nail on the head with what is wrong with some sermons, and he rightly sees sermons as more than just content.
It's the type of book you can probably skim-read through very fast, maybe in just a few evenings, and get the gist - if it is to your liking, you can dive into specific Sexton where you think you could use some help.
My .02 !!!
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Dominick,
Thanks for your input. I guess the mass amount of silence from everyone else speaks volumes [:O]
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Pastor James said:
I guess the mass amount of silence from everyone else speaks volumes
You made me go look at the book. I guess I don't have enough Post-It notes to learn or apply the system. (Is it just me? I thought Post-It notes went sticky side to the top. Maybe that's my problem.)
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
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Pastor James said:
2. If you use or have used the Decker Grid System that the book promotes, what is your opinion?
3. If you use the Decker Grid System have you found a computerized method of doing the sticky note part of the system (I'm at a point that I cannot see ever going back to a manual pen and paper method of sermon prep.
I started with the Decker Grid but got sidetracked. Here is a cheat sheet I found today: http://download.audible.com/product_related_docs/BK_NTGL_000313.pdf. It is not specific to sermons.
I generally use opensource freeplane mindmap software to outline sermons as well as notetaking. I suspect this grid system could be adapted to work in a mindmapping app. You could use the grid stystem as a template then can easily edit and move map nodes around. As with any software, there is a learning curve.
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They wrote two books that were very well received. Speaking with Bold Assurance and Preaching with Bold Assurance. The Decker grid system can be downloaded as a free iPad app, Post-It-Notes included. No more stacks of notes and you can use your iPad to speak with, like many do now.
May everyone be blessed this very day!
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what's the name of the Ipad app?
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Kenneth Neighoff said:
what's the name of the Ipad app?
possibly this?? https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/decker-grid-app/id839090150
I dont use i products, but i just did a quick google search.
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Thanks Travis,
I was searching for it on my iphone on the app store and it does not show there. I posted this question and then re-read the post referencing it and saw Ipad app.
thanks for your help.
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Kenneth Neighoff said:
Thanks Travis,
I was searching for it on my iphone on the app store and it does not show there. I posted this question and then re-read the post referencing it and saw Ipad app.
thanks for your help.
I searched for it on my iPhone but nothing; however, when I looked for it on my iPad it showed up 👍
I'll be teaching a homiletics crash course to the men in the church, so they can learn different methods for building classes and sermons. I use the question or statement approach (At least that's what I call it). For example:
Topic: Fornication
Introduction: Introduce the subject (different ways to introduce it - story, stats, quotes, etc.)
I. What is Fornication? or The meaning of Fornication (define term and related terms)
II. What does the Bible say about fornication? or What the Bible says about fornication (give some biblical information about the topic)
III. What are the consequences of fornicating? or The consequences of fornicating (list consequences)
IV. What can we do to prevent fornication? or How to prevent fornication (provide solutions to prevent the problem)
Conclusion: Give summary and include the blessings of those who abstain from fornication (blessings could be another point but is optional)
By following this basic format you can present many topics like works of the flesh, fruit of the spirit or any other topic.
My two cents 😁
DAL
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I enjoyed the book and especially the Decker system. The app is OK but needs some work to be ready for prime time.
The Decker Grid system as discussed in the book, is well-suited to sermon prep. You will need a lot of Post-It notes, though.
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Bill Cook said:
I enjoyed the book and especially the Decker system. The app is OK but needs some work to be ready for prime time.
The Decker Grid system as discussed in the book, is well-suited to sermon prep. You will need a lot of Post-It notes, though.
Digitally speaking, a mind map would serve the same purpose; but paper wise, the sticky/post it notes are a huge turn off for the Decker system. I've used the system in the past with key word points in an iMind Map PowerPoint presentation and it works out great, but now I just use the sermon editor or the Paper feature in Accordance to present directly from my screen. It's way better; especially with hyperlinked verses where people can read the Bible directly from the screen. 👍
DAL
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