Use an Anchor Illustration

Just one will do.

In traditional homiletics courses, you learn that using illustrations is an important communication tool.

And it is.

However, it is possible to overdo illustrations to the point they overshadow the main point of the message.

While our preaching template provides a couple of places where illustrations are typically most helpful, we can spend so much time trying to find illustrations that we neglect other aspects of the message and find ourselves up at 1:00 am—like me!

In my opinion, one anchor illustration, story, or metaphor to which the entire message connects may be better than lots of illustrations sprinkled throughout the sermon.

You might use an illustration in the introduction and keep coming back to it.

Or you may use the key illustration for identifying the problem.

Or you may want to save it for a conclusion in the response movement.

You're free to get creative.

So, try using one anchor illustration for the sermon, and let me know what you think.

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When you’re ready, feel free to check out my full preaching course here.