How to Exhort

Exhortation is a miniature form of preaching. First of all it is short. Usually it should not last more than three to five minutes, or, in some special occasions (like birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), it may last up to ten to fifteen minutes. Otherwise it may become real preaching and people would take offense because of its length. We must learn to be sensitive to any situation whenever we are asked to speak. As a rule, special occasions require shorter exhortations, unless you are specifically asked to give a full-blown message. Here’s how to do it.

• 1 START WELL.

Start with an interesting beginning that can easily tie up to the main theme and topic of your message. Anything is interesting if it can get your audience to ask, “What now?” In other words, if they are not asking that, at least in their minds, they are not interested. Say something that would make people interested to know more or to know what happens next. It should easily lead you to mention your theme (general subject matter) and topic (specific subject matter) without too much effort. If you have to try too hard to mention your theme or topic, you have the wrong beginning. The topic should really be stated as a question which demands an answer. But the question and possible answer(s) should also be interesting, which means it must be need-meeting to the audience.

• 2 GIVE THE GIST OF YOUR MESSAGE.

After telling your audience the theme and topic of your exhortation, it’s time to give them the gist of your message. Gist means substance or essence of your message. In other words, it must be a one sentence summary of what you really want to say. It must be short (not more than nine words as much as possible) and memorable. It must not be a cliché. It should be stated in a fresh way that creates amazement (not amusement) as much as possible. It should add value to your audience (i.e. it helps them in some way to know and apply God’s will in their lives, remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Ultimately it must be based on Scripture but you can get the idea from other sources (e.g. books, articles, website, etc.). If you get it from another source, make sure that you mention or cite it (e.g. “I got this from Rick Warren’s book, Purpose Driven Life.”).

• 3 EXPOUND A LITTLE.

After stating the gist of your message, expound a little. Expounding involves any of the following: repetition or restatement, explanation, or proof. You may focus on one, two, or all three. Repetition or restatement simply means saying the same thing in a different way. This would clarify your main statement in a powerful way. Of course, explaining it clearly would further clarify your statement. Proving your statement either by citing Scripture or other sources of proof can greatly help. You may not have time to read Scripture, so often you have to memorize it. Avoid long passages. You can use illustrations to explain or prove something. Illustrations are stories that you or others have created. You can also use invented tales or parables to illustrate. You can also use object lessons. Wise use of illustrations and object lessons can help clarify your main message. But make it short and to the point. Long-winded illustrations or object lessons can hinder rather than help your exhortation.

• 4 CALL FOR A REASONABLE RESPONSE.

The word “exhort” actually means to encourage someone to do something. So at the end of your exhortation you should ask your audience to respond. Their initial response must be thanksgiving: thanking God for revealing the truth, for forgiving us for all our shortcomings (sins of commission or omission), for giving us the Holy Spirit who can transform us, and for making us a new creation, able to obey God. This is important. Second, there must be a practical response also. What do you want your audience to do in response to the truth you shared? You need to think about this in light of the situation. Don’t be idealistic but be realistic. It may just be an initial response. Avoid the typical “Let’s pray” if at all possible. Altar calls must be done with sensitivity, if done at all. Avoid unthinking responses.