Task 5: Write down possible illustrations for each illustrated point
Essence of the task
Jot down any illustrations that could reinforce the message of each main point of the outline.
Detailed description
To a certain extent, this task is nothing more than an extension of the previous one. It seeks to formalize a particular aspect of filling out the outline: namely, the inclusion of illustrations that clarify the main conclusions of the message.
It has been my experience that preachers with a strong conviction about the priority of sound exegesis in biblical exposition often suffer from a certain lack of illustration. They are very good at extracting truth from the original text, but are less committed to enhancing those truths with examples that reinforce them, lend them relevance, and provide clarity or vividness.
Personally, I have had multiple experiences in which, while preparing a sermon, I have perceived that a truth that I have already incorporated into the outline or manuscript is missing something. I know that if I preach that section of the sermon in its current state, it will seem too dense or insignificant to people. Consequently, I have taken a few extra minutes to see if I can find or develop some way to illustrate what I want to convey. That extra effort has almost always paid off for me, and I know this from the “a-has!” I see in the eyes of the listeners at the conclusion of that portion of the sermon and from the comments made at the end of the service.
Therefore, this task urges us to make that extra effort. To do this, perhaps the most important thing is to answer the following question: How should I round out the applied interpretation of each point?
To Do
As I mentioned above, this task is actually an extension of the previous task. Therefore, you may have already identified the kind of illustration you need to include at each point. In fact, it is also possible that in preparing your applied interpretations (in Thursday’s assignment) you already jotted down ideas of possible illustrations to include. If that was the case, so much the better! If you didn’t get that far at the time, now is the time to do so.
You don’t necessarily have to write that illustration out in full at this point, but at the very least, find it so you can leave a note in the outline about what it will be. Even if you found the perfect illustration, fully drafted, in another resource, it is almost never possible to include it in the sermon without some modification. As a minimum, you will usually have to adjust the “moral” of the illustration to best fit the point you are trying to make. If you don’t, the illustration you chose to support a particular point will end up looking more like an island of isolated information that appears somewhat disconnected from what you want to affirm.
At the outline level then, once you have identified the illustration (anecdote, joke, example, quote) that you will use, it is important to at least add (1) an introductory sentence that leads to the illustration, (2) a sentence with the essence of the illustration, and (3) a concluding sentence that summarizes what the illustration contributes to the development of the sermon. Later, when you write the final outline or manuscript, you can complete this information so that it is perfectly coordinated with its context in the sermon.
To Keep in Mind
In my opinion, both sound exegesis and illustration of one’s discoveries are essential skills. Obviously, the former is much more important than the latter. But a poorly explained or illustrated truth can fail to have the impact it deserves. Hence, developing your ability to illustrate well and effectively is of great importance.
Evidently, the above presupposes that you have reached a certain level of skill in illustrating. If you feel that there is still room for growth in this skill, perhaps some of the following ideas may be of help to you.
- Study some articles or books on the art of illustration. There are some very good resources that can provide guidance and practical ideas.
- Develop a collection of illustrations. This is a long-term project. In the past it was primarily a matter of storing on cards and in binders all the illustrations that might be helpful someday and facilitating their later use with the development of a good index. With the advent of computers, the usefulness of such a system has greatly increased. Now one can, in software such as Logos or on a personal web page, create an instantly accessible library of labeled illustrations.
- Collect books and internet resources that can be accessed efficiently. Other people have also made a point of creating collections of illustrations. Some of these collections are published in books. Others are available on the Internet for free consultation, or by becoming a member of the site. Logos Bible software also includes a system for adding and finding illustrations that are collected from different sites on the Internet. The point is to investigate these options to know how each one works and to have a short list of those that you find most useful. That way, when the time comes in the preparation of the sermon when you need to find the perfect illustration, without wasting time, you know exactly which resource to consult and how to do it.
- Learn how to create the perfect “tailor-made” illustration yourself. Finally, I would mention that one of the best ways to illustrate a point is to come up with something on your own that fits perfectly. It won’t always be possible, but it truly amazes me how often, with a little purposeful thought, I am able to recall something from my own experience that turns out to be just what I needed. Then, with some extra work, I am able to fit it accurately into the context of the sermon and even with vocabulary that makes puns. There is nothing better, but it takes mental effort and time.