Her Sermon Helps

Eight Keys to Choosing the Right Sermon Title

Sometimes, choosing the right sermon title can be one of the most challenging endeavors of message preparation.  Balancing the need for relevancy, peaking curiosity, and provoking the appropriate response, can sometimes become muddled by the perpetual desire to arouse attention. Therefore, proper titling of sermons, or messages as some may call them, requires careful thought and effort on the behalf of the minister.

When some speakers get up to minister, often times they interchange the terms theme, topic, subject, and title, in an effort to introduce the name of their sermon.  The first three are somewhat synonymous as they pair in regards to the definition of a title. The theme, topic, and subject are usually what forms the foundation for the sermon. So, what exactly is a title?

A title is a highlight of a specific point within the sermon stated in a manner to advertise the sermon. Therefore, prayer, preparation, study and skillful phrasing are essential to composing effective sermon titles.

Let's discuss eight key principles to help you prepare sound, yet appealing, sermon titles.

1. Your title should be relevant to the text or message you are ministering.
   
   
   
   • If the dominant of idea of your sermon is timing, then the title could be "God Has a Set Time."
   
   
2. Your title should keep with the respect and decorum of the pulpit.
   
   
   
   • Some ministers go too far in an effort to get attention by using sensational titles such as, "The G-Spot," "Ride That Thang," "When Donald Duck Got Saved."
   
   
3. Your title should provoke interest.
   
   
   
   • The title should be relevant to life situations. Any title that does not have any significance or special inspiration to people probably is not be the best title to use.
   
   
4. Your title should be brief.
   
   
   
   • Lengthy titles are sometimes difficult to remember. However, don't sacrifice clarity. Also, be sure to avoid being abrupt. Too short of a title may not generate interest.

5. Your title can be stated as declaration, question, or exclamation.
   
   
   
   • Examples are as follows:
     
     
     
     • Declaration: "God Is In It All"
       
     • Question: "Why Do Saints Fall?"
       
     • Exclamation: "Falling to Get Up!"
   
   
6.  Your title can be a phrase followed by a question.
   
   
   
   • Note the following examples:
     
     
     
     • "Changing Generations: How Does the Church Position Itself?"
       
     • "The Perplexities of Marriage: What Can We Do to Overcome Them?"
   
   
7. Your title can also take the form of a compound subject if necessary.
   
   
   
   • Here are a few examples:
     
     
     
     • "The Holy Spirit and His Gifts"
       
     • "Faith: Its Challenge and Its Reward"
   
   
8. Your title can be a snippet of text or scripture
   
   
   
   • The following are examples:
     
     
     
     • "Consider Your Ways"
       
     • "He Brought Me Through the Waters"
       
     • "For Thine Is the Kingdom"