Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching: The Steps from Text to Narrative Sermon

• Publisher:   Zondervan
• Number Of Pages:   192
• Publication Date:   2005-09-01
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0310263093
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780310263098

A practical text to help students and pastors understand why and how first-person sermons can be preached with biblical integrity. While following Haddon Robinson's "big idea" preaching methodology, the author walks the readers through the steps they can take to prepare an effective first-person message.

Whether you are a preacher, or just someone trying to make your Bible study come alive, this is a must read book. Narrative accounts for 65% of the Bible. Learn how to accuratly handle the bulk of biblical literature.

The subtitle on the cover page reads "Designing Sermons For Adults And Children." This is what the book is about. It is about sermons preached simultaneously to adults and children and not to children alone. Starting with answers to the question "why preach to children?" the book gave reason after reason why a pastor should keep the children in his congregation in mind when designing and delivering a sermon. Bringing up the cultivation of faith as one of the reasons, the author said that faith of a person should be cultivated as early in life as possible and with the support and in the presence of parents. Children should then worship together with their parents. Also, children should be made to feel that they are part of the local Body. Discussing about how sermons could meet the needs of the children and adults, the book discussed the practice of some churches in setting aside a segment of the worship service where the pastor can speak to the children. The author gave caution of some of the likely problems that may be encountered and how these could be overcome. He goes on to advocate that preparing to preach effectively to children does not necessarily mean preaching one to the children and then another to the adults but it means constructing one with the children in mind. When a Biblical passage or topic is chosen, the preacher has to examine what this may mean to the children and not the adults alone. The book then mentioned about how a Scripture text could be presented rather than just plainly read so that it can better impact the children. It then went into the construction of the sermon discussing ways and means to hold the attention of these young ones. Illustrations, props and activities to hold their attention were included in this discussion.
The focus of this book is on how children could be kept in the same service with the adults. Though Carolyn Brown did mention about having a children corner if the congregation is small, it is surprising that she never considered the possibility of the children having a time of their own away from the main congregation. If the objective of keeping children in the main service with the adults is to build up their worship life, then everyone can be together during the worship segment and be separated during sermon time. Also, what happens to babies and toddlers during this time. Though older children may follow a sermon, it is doubtful that infants can. Church growth studies have shown that churches that have carefully worked out programmes for babies, toddlers and children are healthier churches. Parents are free to worship knowing that their children are taken care of. Children interact with other children and learn social skills beside learning about God, the Bible and theology. Also, children do have their own worship songs which means more to them than adults worship songs.
As children can be considered a unique group with special needs, the principles governing the development and delivery of sermons for them could also be applied when one is preaching within a multiracial, multicultural and multi-linguistic society such as Singapore. Though some churches within Singapore have a mixed congregation comprising all the different categories of people, it is also common to find churches focused on special groups. When a preacher is preaching within a mixed congregation he has to be aware of the people whom he is preaching to; much the same as what Carolyn Brown has mentioned in her book. This in fact is one of the fundamental requirements about preaching; that we know our congregation and whom we are speaking to. Ideas to capture and hold the attention of children could also be used for different people group. Some people group comprise working class people who have minimum education. Preaching to them would have to be different from preaching to a congregation of scholars. Also, symbols and things carry different messages to different people type same as meanings of such things differ between children and adult. The "big idea" behind this book is therefore know the children; know your congregation. The book therefore brings a fresh reminder to us to know our congregation when we preach.
I do not think I will follow the idea mentioned by Carolyn Brown in having children within the same service as adults throughout the year. Perhaps, in some occasions it warrants for it. There are however many reasons to keep the congregations separated.
The book nevertheless gives an idea on how to preach to children. I would probably do this within their own gathering. The principles from this book will help me when the time comes.

One of many techniques available for presenting a good sermon, first-person preaching involves taking a Biblical character and presenting the gospel from their viewpoint. This can be a very powerful technique if done well. On the other hand some conservative churchgoers may have problems with a sermon where acting is an important part of it. The funny thing is that these same people will generally enjoy attending a passion play or other similar form of acting out the gospel. This book is about how to go from a text sermon to a narrative one and takes you through the process step-by-step. The author doesn't suggest that this style should be used for every sermon but provides an alternative style to add to the preaching techniques of the minister. A very instructive and useful book it makes a teaching style as well as preaching technique available to everyone. Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching is highly recommended.

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