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Are you getting this?
If Robert Fergusson were to tell you a story, whether from a church platform or in the confines of the seat next to you on an airplane, you would undoubtedly listen - and undeniably be changed. Stories pass on gathered wisdom, they reveal much about a person's identity, convey responsibility, instil values and uncover truth. There is an art to storytelling, and priceless significance gained when you discern and absorb this age-old practise.
In 'Are You Getting This?', discover the story telling method that has made Robert Fergusson a sought-after teacher, memorable preacher and incessant disciple of Jesus Christ. Rediscover a love for learning and teaching, the importance of impartation and the eternal truths found in the greatest story ever told.
In 'Are You Getting This?', discover the story telling method that has made Robert Fergusson a sought-after teacher, memorable preacher and incessant disciple of Jesus Christ. Rediscover a love for learning and teaching, the importance of impartation and the eternal truths found in the greatest story ever told.
- GenresFaithNonfictionChristian
422 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
9 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Robert Fergusson
2 books4 followersRobert Fergusson is a Teaching Pastor at Hillsong Church, where he has been on staff for over 30 years. He is passionate about imparting practical life principles from the Bible and his primary responsibilities involve pastoral oversight and preaching and teaching. Robert is married to Amanda; they have three married children and currently seven grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 22, 2022
This book, written by a Hillsong pastor, was highly recommended and they were probably right. It has many good insights. But I never looked forward to reading it and had to listen double time to finish before it returned to the library. My personality just did not take well to his classifications and I happen to be a person who responds more to logic than story. I think most people will find the book helpful. For instance, he teaches that one should always begin with a story, and I think most people like that. I however regularly find myself impatient when a preacher sets off on an anecdote or two rather than reading a scripture passage and explaining it. So the book will be helpful for most, but I hope there remain some out there who begin with scripture and exegesis and use stories only afterwards to illustrate a point already made.
March 19, 2021
I wish I could give this book more stars! It was fantastic in every sense. It was rooted in the Bible and it is evident that Robert practices what he preaches. The book is very cleverly written and reinforces the way to effectively communicate. I think this is going to be a book I read over and over again. The practical tips are thought provoking and lead me to action and I’ve already found helpful in my life.
March 13, 2023
It’s like sitting back in bis classroom, I can almost hear him read the book to me in the form of his lessons. A wonderful book written by a very wise man
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October 18, 2025Quotes from my notes app:
What is it about parenting that seems to compel us to use stories as a way to convey life lessons or illustrate the importance of moral values?
Some of you might not share my particular convictions. Nonetheless, I cannot apologize for them. They are the bedrock of my life.
Yet, when Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came to earth, it would be reasonable to think that He would use the most effective and powerful methodology to spread His message. So, what did He do? He told stories.
After all, excellence glorifies an excellent God and the Bible encourages us to excel in everything', including speech.
Preaching is the anointed, authoritative and applicable declaration of the Word of God, by a God-called person to a God-needy audience, for the purpose of reconciling them to God through Jesus Christ.
Yet it is our calling to know Him, belong to Him and speak about Him. This is our extraordinary vocation.
I know this was irresponsible, but I felt compelled to do it. I then prayed a prayer, one that turned my life around. I prayed for fire.
I prayed for the fire that had given these preachers such boldness. I prayed for the fire of the Word of God that had transformed Jeremiah from a tongue-tied child into a fearless prophet. I prayed for the fire of the Holy Spirit that had changed Peter from an uneducated fisherman into a compelling speaker.
I even prayed, if there was any anointing left in the pulpits used by those great preachers, that God would 'give it to me now'.
I was desperate.
Jeremiah declared, 'But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot'.
Not only does contained wind lose its power, but it also loses its identity.
Wind, by definition, needs freedom of movement. If the Spirit of God is like the wind, we need to be cautious about describing how He works. In all my attempts in this chapter to define the anointing of God, there is part of me which hopes I have failed.
The Christian life is impossible. If it were simply difficult, we would attempt it and fail; but since it is impossible, we can safely give up and therefore succeed. Because it is impossible, we can see the invisible, perceive the imperceptible, know the unknowable and love the unlovable. What a glorious contradiction! It is the pathway of faith. No wonder our natural minds cannot conceive God's plans for our spiritual lives.
That day, I learned to look longer, listen more carefully and keep my mouth shut except to ask questions.
There is not a crash course for calling. If it took thirty years for Christ to prepare for fruitfulness, why should we think we can survive with shallow roots?
When Jesus Christ called His disciples to Him and sent them out from Him, He was acting as a Good Shepherd. When we come in to hear Him speak to us, and then we go out to speak for Him, we are acting as good sheep.
Passion is fundamental to communication. It is contagious. We need to prize the principles we teach in the same way as collectors cherish their collections before they exhibit it to others.
The gospel is good news for the poor because it enables us to be reconciled to God. Forgiveness is the desperate need and heart cry of humanity.
I always find it extraordinary when people walk away from such an offer and choose to remain unforgiven.
… he did everything within his power to create an environment of faith in which his audience could receive a vision from God and become irrevocably changed.
Ultimately, joy is the litmus test of Christianity.
What is it about parenting that seems to compel us to use stories as a way to convey life lessons or illustrate the importance of moral values?
Some of you might not share my particular convictions. Nonetheless, I cannot apologize for them. They are the bedrock of my life.
Yet, when Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came to earth, it would be reasonable to think that He would use the most effective and powerful methodology to spread His message. So, what did He do? He told stories.
After all, excellence glorifies an excellent God and the Bible encourages us to excel in everything', including speech.
Preaching is the anointed, authoritative and applicable declaration of the Word of God, by a God-called person to a God-needy audience, for the purpose of reconciling them to God through Jesus Christ.
Yet it is our calling to know Him, belong to Him and speak about Him. This is our extraordinary vocation.
I know this was irresponsible, but I felt compelled to do it. I then prayed a prayer, one that turned my life around. I prayed for fire.
I prayed for the fire that had given these preachers such boldness. I prayed for the fire of the Word of God that had transformed Jeremiah from a tongue-tied child into a fearless prophet. I prayed for the fire of the Holy Spirit that had changed Peter from an uneducated fisherman into a compelling speaker.
I even prayed, if there was any anointing left in the pulpits used by those great preachers, that God would 'give it to me now'.
I was desperate.
Jeremiah declared, 'But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot'.
Not only does contained wind lose its power, but it also loses its identity.
Wind, by definition, needs freedom of movement. If the Spirit of God is like the wind, we need to be cautious about describing how He works. In all my attempts in this chapter to define the anointing of God, there is part of me which hopes I have failed.
The Christian life is impossible. If it were simply difficult, we would attempt it and fail; but since it is impossible, we can safely give up and therefore succeed. Because it is impossible, we can see the invisible, perceive the imperceptible, know the unknowable and love the unlovable. What a glorious contradiction! It is the pathway of faith. No wonder our natural minds cannot conceive God's plans for our spiritual lives.
That day, I learned to look longer, listen more carefully and keep my mouth shut except to ask questions.
There is not a crash course for calling. If it took thirty years for Christ to prepare for fruitfulness, why should we think we can survive with shallow roots?
When Jesus Christ called His disciples to Him and sent them out from Him, He was acting as a Good Shepherd. When we come in to hear Him speak to us, and then we go out to speak for Him, we are acting as good sheep.
Passion is fundamental to communication. It is contagious. We need to prize the principles we teach in the same way as collectors cherish their collections before they exhibit it to others.
The gospel is good news for the poor because it enables us to be reconciled to God. Forgiveness is the desperate need and heart cry of humanity.
I always find it extraordinary when people walk away from such an offer and choose to remain unforgiven.
… he did everything within his power to create an environment of faith in which his audience could receive a vision from God and become irrevocably changed.
Ultimately, joy is the litmus test of Christianity.
March 7, 2021
Best preaching book!
Robert draw a wonderful picture from his own life to go in the heart of what is preaching, teaching, and storytelling.
I read this book in the same time to study with Robert in his preaching class, and this is an authentic masterpiece from how the Fergusson is a blessing for Hillsong, the Church and to build the kingdom of God forward. Really practical and applicable for our everyday lives
Recommend it!
Robert draw a wonderful picture from his own life to go in the heart of what is preaching, teaching, and storytelling.
I read this book in the same time to study with Robert in his preaching class, and this is an authentic masterpiece from how the Fergusson is a blessing for Hillsong, the Church and to build the kingdom of God forward. Really practical and applicable for our everyday lives
Recommend it!
June 9, 2022
Solid book and a recommendation to anyone who wants to serve Jesus more and become a better preacher. It seems like Robert wrote this book to be readable for people with a short attention span. I wish he would have gone deeper on some topics. Others felt less significant, but overall, there is something for everyone to learn in this book.
December 18, 2021
There is so much gold in this that I took almost a year to read through it! Every chapter impacted me significantly and so I needed time to process before moving onto the next one.
Thank you for both challenging and encouraging us as teachers of the Word.
Thank you for both challenging and encouraging us as teachers of the Word.
September 26, 2022
Das Buch ist für meinen Geschmack zu ausführlich. Es hat fast 400 Seiten. Diese sind allerdings schnell zu lesen. Ich fand viele Themen zu offensichtlich, die er angesprochen hat. Trotzdem war viel gutes dabei.
July 10, 2021
Can we give more than 5 stars ?
Seriously, this book is excellent, Robert is so engaging with his writing skills,
A must-read !
Do yourself a favour !
Seriously, this book is excellent, Robert is so engaging with his writing skills,
A must-read !
Do yourself a favour !
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews