(03 Sermon Notes) Listening for Structure and Substance in a Sermon

Ezra 7:10 ESV

10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Did anyone try a new way to take notes?

Did anyone try to incorporate anything from what we learned last week?

1. Recognize the structure (The skeleton of the sermon)

Every sermon is built with a framework. Good note-taking starts by hearing the shape of the message.

Communication is a two-way process. At its most basic sense it requires a minimum of two people: a person who sends a message and then a recipient.

Three most common ways sermons are structured.

Do they know what they are?

Ask them to define what they are.

A. Topical

A sermon built around a specific topic or theme.

The preacher gathers verses from different parts of the Bible to support that theme.

Focus: what does the Bible say about one subject.

B. Textual

A sermon built from a short section of scripture.

Preacher uses it as a launching point to discuss a certain topic.

C. Expository

A sermon that explains and applies a specific passage of Scripture in its context. The preacher works through the verses, drawing out the meaning and application.

What this passage means and how it applies today.

YouTube: @PastorJoshuaPutnam

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Why is understanding what these are helpful when listening for structure and substance?

How to identify structure.

Ask these questions while listening:

Is the preacher walking me through a passage line by line? → Expository.

Is the preacher tracing a subject across the Bible? → Topical.

Is the preacher drilling down into one verse or short text? → Textual.

Tip: Write down the headings as soon as you catch them. Even if you miss details, you’ll keep the big framework intact.

Example: If the sermon is from Psalm 23, you might hear:

The Lord Provides (v.1–3)

The Lord Protects (v.4–5)

The Lord Promises (v.6)

That’s the skeleton—easy to hang details on later.

What could you do if you captured the skeleton but didn’t get any details to hang on it?

2. Capture the substance (The meat of the sermon)

Once you recognize the structure, focus on the content that carries weight.

Main Points vs. Details – Write the main truth clearly.

Supporting stories, quotes, or illustrations can be shortened or even just summarized with a keyword.

Listen for the big idea.

Part of breaking down my sermons is to keep one thought in front of you.

Listen for transitions – words like “first,” “next,” “finally,” “in conclusion.”

Look for repeated words or phrases – preachers often signal their points by repetition.

Notice Scripture movement – when the preacher shifts verses or passages, it usually marks a new point.

Tip: Write down the headings as soon as you catch them. Even if you miss details, you’ll keep the big framework intact.

Truth Statements – When the preacher says something like, “Here’s the big idea” or “This is what we need to see,” mark it with a star or underline it.

Identify substance in illustrations.

Illustrations are the story - substance is the truth they illustrate.

Don’t try to capture the whole story.

Ask yourself: “Why did Pastor tell this story?” and write down that point.

Learn to interpret the text.

This comes from consistently listening to expository preaching.

This comes from us teaching Bible Study 101 a couple of times.

Those of you in a discipling relationship should go through this as well.

This will help you recognize the skeleton and meat.

You generally know where I’ll be each week - outline the passage yourself.

Let’s look at the passage I’ve been in.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 ESV

1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Now let’s outline it.

What if you had even very minimal notes ahead of time?

3. Walk in integrity before the world (vv. 11–12)

A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v. 11a)

B. Mind your own business (v. 11b)

C. Work with your hands (v. 11c)

D. Earn respect and remove reproach (v. 12)

At least pay attention when we read the passage.

Observation

Who?

Who is the author?

Who is speaking?

Who is being spoken to?

Who are the main characters in the passage?

Who is acting, and who is being acted upon?

Who else is mentioned (nations, churches, groups, individuals)?

Who do pronouns (he, they, you, we) refer to?

What?

What is happening in the passage?

What is being commanded, taught, or promised?

What sin is being exposed?

What example is being set (to follow or avoid)?

What repeated words, phrases, or ideas stand out?

What contrasts or comparisons are being made?

What does this reveal about God, Christ, the Spirit, or humanity?

Where?

Where is this taking place geographically?

Where are the people in the story moving to or from?

Where does this fit in the book as a whole (beginning, middle, end)?

Where else in Scripture is this theme, event, or phrase used?

When?

When did this happen in history?

When did the events take place in relation to other events?

When in the person’s life did this occur (youth, old age, ministry period)?

When does the author shift topics or tone?

When is a promise expected to be fulfilled (now, later, eternity)?

Why?

Why is this included in Scripture?

Why did the author write this to the original audience?

Why is this command, warning, or encouragement given?

Why does God act this way here?

Why does the writer repeat or emphasize this truth?

Why does this matter for faith and obedience today?

Interpretation

What did the author mean.

Application

What am I going to do about what the author meant?

Applications – Sermons are not just information but transformation. Always capture how the text applies to life.

Capture applications clearly.

This is where the sermon hits our lives.

You need to write down your own.

Don’t wait for the preacher to say: “now for the applications”

Tip: Use abbreviations and symbols (→ for application, ★ for main truth, ? for something you need to study more).

We talked about this last week.

Open your Bible and look at (1Thess 4)… where do you think I will be after we finish verses 11-12?

13-18 most likely.

There is a natural break in topic - many bibles call it out.

Here’s look at my Bible.

Even if we don’t make it all the way through, you can get the bigger picture.

3. Filter while you listen

You can’t write everything. The skill is deciding what matters most.

Ask yourself in the moment:

“Is this the main point?”

“Does this explain or illustrate?”

“Is this an application I need to remember?”

Hold onto anchors, not every wave.

Sermons are full of sentences, but the anchors are the truths and principles that hold steady.

In every sermon there will be points you find more helpful than others.

Write those down.

3 Filtering Questions While Listening.

Is this a main point or a supporting detail? (Keep main point; summarize support.)

Is this timeless truth or just filler? (Keep truth.)

Will this help me obey, share, or remember later? (If yes → keep it.)

Here is a quick help for you.

HOW DO YOU FILTER IN REAL TIME?

Conclusion (Wrap-Up)

Good sermon notes are not transcripts—they’re tools for memory and meditation.

When you listen for structure, you capture the outline.

When you listen for substance, you capture the truth.

Together, they make your notes clear and useful for spiritual growth.

Slide

Key idea

Structure shows you where the sermon is going. Substance shows you what God is saying through His Word.

Application/Challenge for the Week

During the next sermon you hear, don’t aim to write more—aim to write better.

Try to capture the outline (skeleton) in real-time, and add just 1–2 main truths (meat).

Afterward, review your notes and summarize the sermon in one sentence—that proves you caught both structure and substance.