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

It’s All in How You Tell It provides the tools and insights necessary to help both veteran and novice preachers move from ineffective habits into adrenaline-pumping, dramatic sermon delivery. They will learn to preach by retelling a scriptural account from the vantage point of a biblical character-combining the power of drama with God’s Word. Nationally known preaching expert Haddon W. Robinson and his son, Torrey, examine issues such as exegeting a text for a first-person approach, structuring a narrative sermon, determining how to portray biblical characters, and staging and delivering the sermon itself. With this book seminary and Bible college students have the opportunity to build foundations for engaging, story-filled preaching ministries. The end result will be more preachers who “love to tell the story” and more church members who are hungry to hear it.

This extensive encyclopedia is the most complete and practical work ever published on the art and craft of biblical preaching. Its 11 major sections contain nearly 200 articles, comprehensively covering topics on preaching and methodology. Entries are characterized by intensely practical and vivid writing designed to help preachers deepen their understanding and sharpen their communication skills. The contributors include a virtual Who’s Who of preaching from a cross-section of denominations and traditions, such as Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Rick Warren, Warren Wiersbe, Alice Mathews, John Piper, Andy Stanley, and many others.

J. Kent Edwards recalls a story that late pastor J. Vernon McGee told about seeing children in South Africa playing a game of marbles in the dust with real diamonds. The precious stones were being handled with no regard for their true worth. Edwards fears the same thing happens today when preachers offer Scriptural truth to listeners without being completely overwhelmed by its greatness themselves in the process. Deep Preaching is his call to “rethink” preaching. Edwards helps preachers learn to preach the word in ways that will powerfully change the lives of hearers.