Sermon Illustrations that Connect to the Bible Text (And Your Church!)

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore a fresh way to approach sermon illustrations. Instead of building a massive database with search tools and tags, consider categorizing your illustrations by type—like recent personal stories, historical examples, and visual aids. The goal isn’t to store every idea, but to know what kind of illustration you’re looking for and then go find it. Plus, we talk about how tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm the right type of illustration for your message.

1. 1. Recent personal stories
   2. Historical examples
   3. Quotations of well-known people
   4. Critiques of culture
   5. Visual aids
   6. Biblical examples

Resources:

• The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church

• Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Church Answers Certifications

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others. 

But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation. 

• • A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel.
  • Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff. 
  • Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them. 
  • Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel.

Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation. 

He knew exactly where to turn.

Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship. 

Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.

 

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