Through the expanse of civilizations, people groups have communicated through storytelling. In fact, storytelling is a part of all cultures. Mike Augsburger, pastor of Willow Creek Baptist Church, West Des Moines, Iowa, shared with an audience of 40 attendees that storytelling is a great way to communicate spiritual truth. This helpful and inspiring workshop was one of several taking place during the GARBC Conference.
In developing a sermon, Augsburger says, pastors could be affective storytellers by looking at the narrative of a Bible passage, which will lead them to the big idea of the story. The Bible text should drive the sermon’s form and help pastors develop the sermon’s story.
Developing a good narrative sermon, or storytelling, takes place in a three-step progression, Augsburger says. The first step is to develop the exegesis of the text, which will help reveal the author’s historical meaning. The second step is to connect the historical meaning that leads to the timeless meaning. The third step happens when the timeless meaning leads to the contemporary meaning formed as the big idea.
As an example, Augsburger pointed to Peter’s restoration in John 21. The big idea was not fishing and catching a multitude of fish, nor was it Jesus’ fireside chat with Peter. The big idea was Jesus saying, “Follow Me.”
Augsburger’s session was truly a blessing to those in attendance.
