Actuality: Real Life Stories for Sermons That Matter (The Artistry of Preaching Series)

Preachers need stories. Stories, examples, and illustrations bring sermons to life. But what sort of stories work best to communicate the gospel for listeners today? In Actuality , discover why the best sermon illustrations come from real life, from the actual experiences of trouble and grace in your own life as a preacher and in the lives of your congregants. Learn how to find those stories and how to use them. Author Scott Hoezee demonstrates new story-sharing techniques with multiple examples and clear, practical guidance which is useful and instructive for every preacher who seeks to bring new vitality to the pulpit. Show, Don't Tell Showing through Details The Bible as Source for "Show, Don't Tell" Balancing Tell with Show Examples of Moving from Tell to Show The Challenge of "Show" Examples of "Show, Don't Tell" in Sermons Keeping It Vivid Showing Trouble Denying Trouble in Worship Acknowledging Trouble in Worship Trouble in the Bible: Epistles and Stories Parabolic Trouble The Power of Observation Naming Trouble through Story Eliciting Real Life The Pain and Dysfunction of Families The Sorrow of Broken Dreams and Dashed Hopes Human Character and Sin The Struggles of Loneliness Conclusion Showing Grace Grace in the Bible Grace in the Sermon Looking for Grace Grace in the Everyday The God Glimpse Grace in Jesus's Parables Images of Grace in Art To See Your Face Is to See the Face of God Gracious Paradox Conclusion.

Preachers need stories. Stories, examples, and illustrations bring sermons to life. But what sort of stories work best to communicate the gospel for listeners today?



In Actuality, discover why the best sermon illustrations come from real life, from the actual experiences of trouble and grace in your own life as a preacher and in the lives of your congregants. Learn how to find those stories and how to use them. Author Scott Hoezee demonstrates new story-sharing techniques with multiple examples and clear, practical guidance which is useful and instructive for every preacher who seeks to bring new vitality to the pulpit.

Preachers often rely on illustrations and stories that are distant or detached from the congregation's daily experiences. But in Actuality: Real Life Stories for Sermons that Matter, Scott Hoezee offers practical and compelling instruction for real-life storytelling. He demonstrates how preachers can use stories from their own lives and the lives of other communities for sermons that make a difference for those who hear. (from the back cover)