Classical Speech Theorist developed the concept of “topoi.” The “topoi” were “mind-generators.” The concept of “topoi” is abstract at first, but as you understand it, it takes on a role of great usefulness for all those who engage in public speaking!

When this classical concept is applied to “Pulpit Speech”, one use is a method to brainstorm, or to “generate” ideas for approaching a particular chapter or passage of Scripture.

We had five pastors on staff, and we had the advantage of being able to “pick each others’ brains” for ideas. However, if you are the sole pastor in a local church setting, you may find some of these lists – on every chapter in the Bible – beneficial. As you read through the list you will find your mind thinking, generating . . .

As you read through the list you will find your mind thinking, generating . . .

• directions you could go•
• what you could focus on•
• different approaches to the passage•
• a wording that works•
• a BigIdea•
• changing or adjusting words•
• a subpoint•
• a “sticky” idea worth repeating and restating•
• an illustration•
• an introduction•
• an interesting thought•
• a way of seeing the chapter you had not thought of before•
• an idea to research which could help with an introduction or illustration •
• a metaphor to build on•
• a conclusion•

These included below have been gathered from all different places. Its purpose is to help kick off, brainstorm, or “generate” ideas on Genesis 2.

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Genesis 3 – The Fall

• A Snake In The Grass
• The Devil Made Me Do It
• I’ve Fallen & I Can’t Get Up
• Excuses, Excuses
• It Wasn’t The Apple In The Tree; It Was The Pair On The Ground
• Don’t Believe The Hype
• You Are What You Eat
• The Big Lie
• Propaganda
• The Solution Must Acknowledge The Problem
• Can I Make A Suggestion
• Operation Rescue / Restore
• Missed Opportunities Caused By Sin
• The Buck Stops Here
• Naked & Unashamed
• Calling Evil Good, And Good Evil
• Human Nature 101
• I’m Responsible For My Choices
• The Reason For Christmas & Easter
• From Pedestal To Blame: It’s the woman
• Anatomy Of A Fall
• Door 1 or Door 2
• Narnia
• Jump The Shark
• The Devil Made Me Do It
• Careful Who You Listen To
• The Lucifer Effect
• The Theology Of Trees
• Truth or Consequences
• A Deadly Conversation
• A New Leaf On Life
• Tricked!
• The Devils Doctrine
• Lucifer’s Theology
• Auto-correcting The Devil’s Dialogue
• Are You Tired of Being God?
• What A Difference A Day Makes
• Who Told You That?
• Gen 3: The Beginning Of Evangelism
• Sin’s OS (Operating System)
• WWJD: Matthew 4
• Spoiled
• Lies Men Believe
• Conflict & Confusion
• The First Ponzi Scheme
• I’m All In . . .
• Snake Eyes
• Designer Clothes
• The First “New Age” Movement
• Everything Is Broken (Bono)
• The Only Good Snake Is A Dead Snake
• The OS crashed
• Free Fall
• Listening To Such Is Much Of The Problem
• Liar, Not Liberator
• The First Prophecy of Jesus
• A True or False Question.
• She Ate, He Ate
• Who Do You Trust
• Contrast: The Temptation Of Jesus
• End Of A Perfect Marriage
• As The World Turns
• Near-sighted Sinners
• Relationship Busters
• The Influence Of Companions
• What Is Your Problem!
• The Sting of Death & The Seed of the Woman
• Nakedness & Holiness
• A Multiple Choice Question
• Where did it all go wrong?
• The First Missionary Movement
• The God Who Never Gave Up
• The Original Sin
• Prohibition
• And Great Was The Fall Thereof
• Fatal Attraction
• Life Is Hard
• First Sin / Lie / Doubt
• What’s Wrong With Us? / You?
• Family Under Attack
• A Crafty Question
• Manipulation
• Asking Tough Questions
• Paradise Lost
• Hide & Seek
• Satan’s Bait
• Disobey God: Off Course Of Course
• Why Are There So Many Religions
• I’m Just Asking!
• You Should Have Seen The Aftermath
• The Devil Has A Wonderful Plan For Your Life
• You Can’t Go Back Home; It Isn’t How You Think You Left It
• Opportunity Given & Missed
• Subtle Serpent
• Lucifer The Liar
• The Devil’s Deception
• It’s Downhill From Here
• Sin Is Subtle
• Nowhere To Hide
• Dominoes
• Who’s The Boss Around Here
• Truth & Consequences
• Hiding Out
• The Hideout
• Who’s Responsible For This Mess
• Moses Wrote Of Me
• Dominos
• The Cause: Distortion Of God’s Commandments
• Stepping On The Lucifer’s Head
• The Darkest Day
• Lucifer’s PlayBook
• Erosion or Collapse
• Good Goes Bad
• The Real Hero Is. . .
• Humpty Dumpty . . .
• It Was A Hard Fall
• A Snake Is A Snake
• “A. F.” – After The Fall
• Operation Regeneration /Re-Creation
• Limitations
• The First Declaration Of Independence
• Doing Life The Hard Way.
• No Excuses.
• What The World Needs Now Is . . .
• Off Course.
• Do You Hear What I Hear?
• What The World Needs Now Is . . .
• What A Difference A Day Makes
• A War Caused Christmas
• A Great Turning Point.
• The Process of Temptation
• Just Asking
• Looking Back, It All Started When I . . .
• And Great Was The Fall Thereof
• Two Roads Diverged, I Took The One. . .
• You Did It Now.
• The First Question
• There Are Lies, & Damn Lies.
• Don’t Be Fooled / Deceived.
• Designer Clothes
• I’ve Got You Covered
• Lock It Down (the Garden)
• Weeds
• Damaged Goods
• The First Missionary Movement
• A World of Hurt
• It’s All Out of Order
• “Out of Order”
• The First Promise
• Danger of the Eye
• Danger of Appetite
• Danger of Wisdom
• After The Dust Settles
• Don’t Listen To The Liar
• A Pretty High Priced Meal
• Admission or Confession
• With Eyes Wide Closed
• The Blame Game
• Satan’s First Sermon
• The Art Of Persuasion
• How To Win Friends & Influence People
• He’s An Angel
• A New Hideout
• The “Emperor” Has No Clothes (Dominion)
• The “Emperor’s” New Clothes (Dominion)
• Whose Fault Is It?
• The First Sacrifice
• Why Is There Suffering In The World?
• When Sin Hath Conceived (James1)
• No Place to Hide
• My Hiding Place
• Where Art Thou?
• Where It All Went Wrong
• What Is This That You Have Done?
• Everything Got Broken
• “Where Are You?”
• Snake Eyes
• The Devil’s Curse
• A Package Deal (3:7-13)
• The Heart Of Temptation
• God Isn’t Going To Like This
• Broken Dreams
• The Most Far-Reaching Sin In History
• It Started Out As A Normal Day
• Who’s To Blame
• Satan’s Four Spiritual Flaws
• Liar, Liar
• The Penalty Clauses
• Getting Kicked Out Of A Garden Party
• God’s First Words To The First Sinner
• The Guilty Pair
• Passing Sentence
• Fallen, Yet Redeemed
• The Penalty Phase
• Playing The Blame Game
• Conscience
• Mercy In The Curse
• Damaged Goods
• Closed Eden, Opened Heaven
• A Promise: Crushing The Head Of Evil
• The Deceitfulness Of Sin
• Man’s Most Powerful Enemy
• Eye Danger
• Robbed Of His Glory
• The Good Old Days
• A Talk About Temptation
• A Crafty Question
• The Sure Doom Of Satan
• Admission Is Not Confession
• Father Knows Best
• A Word To The Wives
• Critical Questions & Critical Answers
• I Lost That Lovin Feeling
• A Serpent-Like Trick
• Fussin, Fightin, and Feudin
• The Roller Coaster Of Sin
• Don’t Quit Your Daytime Job Yet
• Don’t Fall For It
• Longing For The Forbidden
• Fall Out Of Favor
• Fall On Stony Ground
• Going After The Weakest Link
• A Falling Out
• Lucifer’s Bait
• Free Fall
• Pride Comes Before The Fall
• The Day The Bottom Dropped Out
• Fall Short
• Fell Flat On His Face
• Fall From Power
• The Lust Of The Eye
• The Dawn Of Guilt
• Dead Man Walking