Bulk of the papers include handwritten and typescript notes for lectures and sermons, and the typescript drafts, printers' proofs, correspondence, notes and permission forms leading to the writing and publication of books and essays. Also biographical materials, correspondence, class notes taken as a student, course materials used as a professor, typescripts of theses, typescript draft of unpublished book on the Bible as literature, book reviews, correspondence and organizational materials reflecting participation in Laymen's Academy for Oecumenical Studies and other church-related activities, and notebook of funeral records. Major areas of interest in the writings include John Wesley, Methodism, church history, worship, and Bible study.

Records of the Laymen's Academy for Oecumenical Studies reflect Sanders work and activities for that organization and are held in Special Collections and University Archives, MS 20.

This collection is organized into six series:

• Series 1. Biography, 1940-1970
• Series 2. Correspondence, 1944-1967
• Series 3. Notes, 1937-1970
• Series 4. Published Works and Manuscripts, 1946-1972
• Series 5. Sermons, 1940-1960
• Series 6. Subject File, 1961-1969