Spiritual Life and Leadership 161. Preaching for Deep Connection, with Lisa Lamb, author of Resonate
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Lisa Lamb is professor of preaching and theology at St. Paul’s Theological College and the author of Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection.
Sometimes I wonder how effective sermons are. As a receiver of sermons, I probably don’t remember 99% of the sermons I’ve heard. At the same time, some sermons I’ve heard have been life-changing for me.
The question for us preachers is: How do we preach sermons that connect? Sermons that make an impact? Sermons that truly resonate?
Lisa Lamb helps us answer these questions.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Lisa Lamb is professor of preaching and theology at St. Paul’s Theological College and other schools in Malaysia and India, and the author of Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection.
- Lisa shares what she loves about preaching.
- The preaching framework is grounded in verbs. What kinds of verbs are being used in the sermon and in which person are they being spoken?
- Preaching in the first person singular gives the congregation a sense who the preacher is and where the preacher is coming from.
- Second person singular speech is powerful speech. It blesses and exhorts.
- Third person singular is the proclaimer. Lisa Lamb says that speaking in the third person is where we declare God’s goodness.
- Third person plural says, “These things are true.”
- Lisa Lamb explains how the past, present, and future tenses impact a sermon.
- We don’t need to hit all these aspects in every sermon. But Lisa Lamb suggests looking back over several months to see if you’ve spoken in all these ways.
- The indicative form is simply naming reality.
- The subjunctive form asks, “What if?”
- The imperative form—the command—can lead people in very life-giving ways.
- Lisa Lamb reflects on how preaching can help congregations wrestle with competing values.
RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:
- Books mentioned:
- Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection, by Lisa Lamb
- Paraclete Mission Associates
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