What if

1. The Hook

Start calm, confident—no rush:

“What if Christianity isn’t true?”

(Pause. Let it sit. Look at them.)

“What if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead?

What if the tomb wasn’t empty?

What if everything we’re doing here today… is built on a mistake?”

(Pause again—this is where the tension builds.)

Then ground it:

“Now I know—that sounds uncomfortable.

That almost sounds like something you’re not supposed to say in church.”

“But here’s what’s interesting…

I didn’t come up with that question.”

Lean in:

“The apostle Paul did.”

1 Corinthians 15:12–13 LSB

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised.

2. The Context

Purpose: Transition naturally from our shared problem to the message of Scripture as the

solution source.

Elements:

Introduce the passage briefly—book, author, audience, situation [Enter short background/context notes]

Clarify why this text speaks into our tension or question [Explain connection between problem and text]

3. The Text

Purpose: Help people understand what the text says, means, and reveals.

Elements:

Walk through the text section by section or idea by idea [List major movements or points in the text]

Explain terms, context, and theological implications concisely [Summarize key truths or insights]

Highlight the main truth—simple, clear, memorable [Write main takeaway sentence here]

4. The Application

Purpose: Move from understanding to transformation.

Elements:

Show what this truth means for our lives today [Describe practical, real-life application]

Use stories or examples that make obedience concrete [Add modern illustration or testimony]

Appeal to both head and heart—conviction and hope [Write your emotional appeal or challenge]

5. The Invitation

Purpose: Unite the congregation around the shared call of God.

Elements:

Summarize the key truth in one simple, memorable sentence [Rephrase your main point or truth here]

End with a vision of what life looks like if we all live this truth together [Picture of kingdom life]

Invite response—repentance, baptism, prayer, encouragement [Describe call to action or invitation moment]