Presenting Like a Pro
Five Elements That Should be in Every Message
“No reason exists why the preaching of the gospel should be
a miserable operation either to the speaker or to the hearer.”
- Charles Spurgeon
Nowhere in the Bible does it state that a sermon is more spiritual because it is long and boring. In fact, an argument can be made that it is more spiritual to deliver a creative and engaging message because of the life change that such a message can bring.
You do not have to re-invent your communication style if you want to be more effective with your preaching. Here are five pointers that can help your preaching improve.
5 Tips to Present Like a Pro
Lift up Jesus
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
- John 12:32 ESV
No matter what topic you are covering on Sunday, it should always bring people to a better understanding of Christ in their life. Each message should give people the opportunity to respond to the gospel.
"To present the Bible 'in its fullness is to preach Christ
as the main theme and substance of the Bible's message."
- Timothy Keller, Preaching
Illustrations
Being engaging is not about entertainment. It is about connecting to your audience so you can deliver a message that will help them make an eternal decision.
An illustration is like a picture. It says more than the words it takes to present it. Stories and illustrations help the audience process God's truth in their own understanding.
If you do not connect with your audience, you are not stewarding your opportunity well. Do not do a disservice to God's compelling word by making it dull. Jesus, the best preacher in history, used illustrations, and so should we.
Less is More
It is important to remember that less is more when presenting. At a certain point, the more you give them, the less they remember. The goal of a fisherman is to pull the net in once it is full, not to show off how complicated the net is or see how long he can keep it in the water.
Leave them wanting more, and they will be back next week. Give them all you have, do not honor their time, and you better make it count because it may be the only chance you get.
Humor
"Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine do down."
- Mary Poppins
It is always good to include humor, especially at your own expense. Making a loved one or valued team member the subject of a joke is never a good idea. If you do not feel you were born with a funny bone, you can still share an amusing anecdote from someone else at the beginning of the message.
Humor can also relieve the pressure in the room after an intense portion of the message. This is the spoon full of sugar that helps the medicine go down. Do not be afraid to plan a laugh in the middle of your message as well.
Address Felt Needs with an Application
"Preaching for life change requires far less information and
more application. Less explanation and more inspiration."
- Andy Stanley, Communicating for a Change
Make sure you are not answering questions no one is even asking. Addressing felt needs creates an entry point for engaging the audience with your message. Giving them practical application is an exit ramp from your message that helps your audience bring that message into their everyday life.
Bonus Tip: Most Importantly, Be Yourself
There are many different styles of communication. These principles are here to help you. The worst thing you can do as a communicator is to try to be something you are not. When teaching, you should be yourself, but you should also continue to improve your craft to be the best version of yourself.
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