Illustration and Tips in Preaching

Illustration:

‘Great Preacher are the master of the Art of Illustration”

Jesus Christ set the values of Illustrations in Preaching, He always tells a stories with the Kingdom of God. Illustration is a great help to an audience which help them to carry home. Illustration also important to arouse the audience from sleepiness and interact with them. They are the light which makes the subject lively and clear. According to Cooper “To Illustrate is to light up or Illuminate” It also make the subject plain and simple (as Jesus did). Preacher should use Illustration to make the Sermon interesting.

The source of illustration:

1.     From everywhere. Jesus picked up from day to day life. He was a good Observer.

2.     Preacher must keep eye open. He also should be good observer.

3.     Our Culture, Community from the age that we are living, Our practices-habits, customs.

4.     Newspaper-important source, it has events, situations, facts, figures articles, etc.

5.     History- a good source that can be

6.     Poetry

7.     Biography-biblical, missionaries, great preacher, great personalities, etc

8.     Science, art and invention

9.     Three kingdoms: animal, vegetable and mineral.

Sheep, goat | wine, grapes, wheat | salt, gold

10. Children

How to use the illustration:

1.     It should be simple

2.     Understood by all people

3.     It must not be lie

4.     Preacher should not make a point just for the illustration or the story.

5.     It should illustrate.

6.     There should not be too many illustration.

7.     Preacher should know his illustration well, the value that he wants to communicate.

8.     Preacher can file his illustration to keep his record.

Tips on sermon delivery:

1.     The use of the precise words. Words must be simple and clear, always use appropriate words to communicate effectively.

2.     Try to use different words to create or image in the minds of the audience.

3.     Sentences should be short.

4.     Always pronounce the words correctly.

5.     Preacher can take effort to learn new vocabulary.

The use of voice-tone:

1.     The speed in preaching. 120-160 words per minute. Fluency in preaching.

2.     Volume: it is the sound you produce when you preach. It is also up and down when you preach.  

3.     Intensity: the preacher can change the intensity according to the need of the sermon. The volume also change.

4.     Pitch- There are two types of Pitch

a.      Normal Pitch – normal sound

b.     Optimum Pitch- Using at the best

The Pauses in preaching: Creating Silence in between, To know what nest

Monotonous preaching:

Non-verbal communication in Preaching:

1.     Gesture: it is the posture where you express yourself, behave on the pulpit, you action and other things. Hand and fingers for body language. It is suggested not to hold the pulpit for the whole preaching. Your arms, finger, hands, legs to move according to the scripts. Standing Position should be mindful.

2.     Eye Contact: Looking directly the eyes of the audience. Not focusing to one direction or one particular place but moving around from corner to corner, place to place.

3.     Facial Expression: Depending upon the scripts the feeling should be visible.

4.     The whole personality should be shown.

5.     Dress: The way we dress also important.

Plan your sermon well ahead.

You can also memorise the quotation.

Posted in: Homiletics