When ending a sermon with the gospel story, you need to consider the emotional impact. Stir the emotions of the congregation so they feel something. Also, consistency with the rest of the sermon is key. The gospel story should fit in with what has been said before.
The main element is clarity. Make sure the gospel story is told clearly so that everyone can understand it. Another is relevance. It should connect to the lives of the listeners.
One important element is authenticity. Share the gospel story from the heart. Also, consider the context of the congregation. If it's a young congregation, you might present the story in a more modern way. Additionally, leave room for reflection. Don't rush through the conclusion. Let the story sink in for a while so that the listeners can think about its implications for their own spiritual journey.
The tone is crucial. A happy ending might leave the reader satisfied, like in a fairy tale where the prince and princess live happily ever after. Also, resolution of conflicts matters. All the main problems in the story should be dealt with. For example, in a mystery story, the mystery must be solved at the end.
Character motivation is crucial. If you change the ending, the character's actions should still be in line with their motives. For instance, a greedy character won't suddenly become selfless without proper build - up.
One important element is to tie up loose ends. Readers don't like to be left with unanswered questions. Another is to leave a bit of an emotional impact, whether it's a happy, sad, or thought - provoking feeling. And the ending should feel natural, not forced or out of place with the rest of the story.
One important element is the mood. If the story has a dark and gloomy mood throughout, a happy - go - lucky ending might seem out of place. Another is the message you want to convey. If you want to show that kindness always wins, then the ending should reflect that. And don't forget about the setting. It can influence how the ending unfolds. For instance, if the story is set in a post - apocalyptic world, the ending could be about rebuilding or total destruction depending on your vision.
The plot is crucial. It's like the backbone of the story. You have to make sure the events flow logically. For example, in a mystery story, the clues should lead to the solution in a believable way. Characters are also important. Their actions and decisions drive the story forward. And don't forget the setting. It can create the mood. A spooky old house as a setting for a horror story can make the whole story scarier.
The overall theme of the story needs to be maintained or at least not violated. If the story was about the consequences of greed and the original ending showed the downfall of a greedy character, you can't change it to a happy - go - lucky ending that ignores the theme. You might adjust it, but still keep the essence.
Character development is crucial. The characters should grow and change in a way that makes the ending logical. For example, if the ending is a character becoming a hero, they should start as an ordinary person with some flaws and gradually develop the qualities of a hero through the story's events. Also, the plot should be well - structured. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The middle part should build up tension towards the ending.
Resolution. You need to tie up loose ends. If there were conflicts in the story, show how they are resolved. For instance, if it was a family feud, show how the family members start to reconcile.
When outlining a story, pacing is an element not to be overlooked. If it's a fast - paced adventure story, the events should unfold quickly. But if it's a more character - driven, emotional story, the pacing can be slower. Also, the point of view matters. Will it be first - person, where the narrator is a character in the story? Or third - person, where the narrator is an outside observer? Deciding this early on helps in creating a coherent outline.
The setting also matters. It sets the mood. If your story is set in a spooky old mansion, it will create a different atmosphere compared to a sunny beach. The time period can also be an important part of the setting, like a story set during the Middle Ages will have different elements than one set in modern times.