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

by J. Kent Edwards

The Steps from Text to Narrative Sermon Presenting biblically centered sermons in a new, creative genre Pastors and teachers are always on the lookout for new ways to expand the effectiveness of their preaching. Sermons delivered in the first-person point of view can weave the power of story and drama into the biblical teaching, making familiar---and not-so-familiar--- characters and situations come to life. This book helps students and pastors understand how first-person sermons can be preached with biblical integrity. It extends Haddon Robinson's 'big idea' philosophy of preaching to this new genre. J. Kent Edwards takes a practical approach as he walks readers through the steps needed for creating sermons that are faithful to the text and engaging to the listener. Examples and worksheets enable readers to apply this unique approach to one of their own sermons. The book includes a CD-ROM with a video sample of first-person narrative preaching.

Genres: Theology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[I]

STEPS:
1) Adjust your interpretive paradigm
2) Understand the larger context of the story you want to preach
3) Determine the structure of your story
4) Analyze the characters
5) Discover the setting of the story
6) State the "big idea" of the narrative
7) Double-check your "big idea"
8) Make the application



CHAPTER NOTES:
...my responsibility as a preacher is to communicate the primary message that the original author communicated to his audience (prime directive).

There is not one approach - abracadabra doesn't work!

[Marty]

If you've ever thought about trying to do a first-person message, this is a great resource. Edwards walks readers through a detailed step-by-step process to carefully prepare all the aspects of pulling from Scripture and staying faithful to the text. Obviously, this isn't for everyone, but it's kind of fascinating to consider.

[Bledar]

A book worth your time and energy. In a world that watches more movies than hears speeches, this work tells you how to do it, answers your questions and doubts and even offers alternatives for critics.

[Spencer Creech]

Pretty solid.

If you know herm you know the 1st half of the book. Book doesn’t really get into preaching 1st person until 2nd half.

[Mikayla]

Decent book. Very helpful when it comes to developing a first-person sermon.

[Bogdan Javgurean]

Very helpful for understanding this new genre. Practical steps for creating a first person sermon, and background understanding of why

[Daniel]

Just your typical preaching book. Beyond common-sense understanding of what it takes to execute a good first-person sermon there were a few helpful tips. If you come into this book with a grasp of what makes a good monologue/soliloquy in theater or cinema and/or the use of 1st person literature nothing here will shock you (apart from some of the horror stories).

[Don]

Talbot Course: Contemporary Biblical Preaching

Edwards is the authority on First Person narrative preaching! This book is very practical and easy to read. The concepts are well-developed.

[David]

Super interesting.