Stories That Serve: Using Illustrations in Expository Preaching

by Ed Moll

Publisher:

Langham

, 2022

Overview

Stories are a powerful tool in the hands of a preacher. Used poorly, they can become the central focus of a sermon, usurping the rightful place of God’s word as teacher and guide. Used well, they support the cause of truth, bringing the word of God to life with fresh clarity, relevance and power.

This concise book serves as an excellent introduction to the role of storytelling in expository preaching. Ed Moll, a seasoned preacher and preaching trainer, offers readers a comprehensive guide to the types of stories that can support biblical teaching, from simple images and metaphors to full-fledged narratives, illustrating how each type can best aid the preacher in teaching the word of God. An excellent resource for both experienced preachers seeking to grow their skill and new preachers just starting out on their journey, this book provides practical exercises to put learning into practice and includes reading lists for those wanting to dive deeper into the topics raised.

Key Features

• Serves as an excellent introduction to the role of storytelling in expository preaching.
• Provides practical exercises to put learning into practice.
• Includes reading lists for those wanting to dive deeper into the topics raised.

Praise for Print Edition

I’m always impressed by how frequently and fluently many Ugandan preachers pepper their speech and sermons with local proverbs and parables, and how well-received and appreciated they often are by congregations. But integrating such “little stories” into a sermon in order to serve and teach listeners without being distracting or confusing can be tricky. I’m so grateful for Ed’s help to do this effectively with this excellent little book, Stories that Serve. It’s the most practical, applicable, clear and helpful guide to this topic I’ve yet found. I’m planning to apply these principles into my own preaching and will also be sharing this book widely with my students and colleagues to help them do the same.

--Chris Howles. Head of Theology, Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda. Founder, From Every Nation, https://www.fromeverynation.net

Some of us leave church on Sunday talking about the amusing little story that the preacher shared in the sermon. But we can’t for the life of us remember what the Bible passage was about. Ed Moll’s wonderfully helpful book will enable his fellow preachers not to fall into this trap. The great strength of this book is its focus on the power of God’s word to change human lives. Ed helps us to think about how little stories, our illustrations and applications, bring clarity not confusion to the exposition of Scripture, so that God’s word is clearly understood. I wish I’d been able to read this book when I began my own preaching ministry thirty years ago; and I’d love to be able to share it with fellow preachers I’ve served alongside in England, Kenya and Australia.

--David Williams. Director of Training and Development, Church Missionary Society Australia

No doubt illustrations play a vital role in making sermons relevant. But as Ed Moll says, “We want neither big stories that swallow up the sermon nor no-stories that stifle it, but little stories that serve the sermon and allow the text to do the work.” (p. 5). What “little stories,” are, where can one find them and how and where in the sermon these can be used most effectively are valuable insights this book offers. If one wants to know how to give supporting help or how stories can help with clarity, this book is a guide.

--Alongla Aier. Langham Preaching Movement Coordinator, Nagaland, India

Product Details

• Title: Stories that Serve: Using Illustrations in Expository Preaching
• Author: Ed Moll
• Publisher: Langham
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 67
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Preaching; Storytelling Religious aspects Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781839737015, 9781839737022, 9781839737039, 1839737018, 1839737026, 1839737034
• Resource ID: LLS:STORIESTHATSERVE
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-10-17T10:13:08Z

About Ed Moll

Ed Moll, is senior minister at St. George’s Church, Wembdon, England, and is involved in training preachers locally and in partnership with Langham Preaching in French-speaking Africa. He has a DMin from Covenant Seminary, Missouri, USA, and has written books on parenting and church leadership.