This message details the reasons why illustrations are necessary in any sermon or Bible lesson, and discusses the importance of application of the sermon content to the daily life of the audience.
Lecture Outline Detailed Outline Remember ItFrom one’s own personal life and from the figures of speech within the text itself.
Without good application of the Word, the sermon simply becomes an accumulation of Bible facts. The teacher or preacher should always seek for transformation in the life of the listener. It is not just information delivery that we are ultimately interested in, but transformation of lives (Matthew 28:19-20). Application applies the Word to one’s heart and behavior. It challenges and convicts the mind. Application takes Sunday morning teaching and applies it to the Monday-Saturday life of every believer.
Most people seem to have little ability to put truth to shoe-leather. They know to pray, but they need practical helps to get started. Often it is the practical suggestions of how to pray more effectively that people grab onto and implement immediately.
- What did you learn from the quotation by Dr. Guthrie that you should never forget?
- How did the speaker use the parable of the Good Samaritan to show the importance of illustrations?
- Can you think of one other example (aside from the parable of the Good Samaritan) of Jesus the Master Teacher using illustrations to drive home a fundamental truth of Scripture?
- Learn to write down illustrations from your own life or from daily reading of books, magazines or newspapers. Illustrations are all around us. We have to be aware of them and have some system in order to record them for use at a later time.
- Set up in your computer (or in a file or notebook) a system for filing illustrations and interesting stories. All good speakers and writers always carry pen and paper with them so that they can record their thoughts and illustrative sermon material. One good resource for doing this online is the app "Evernote."
“3 Reasons Your Church Needs Sermon Illustrations” by Eric McKiddle