Reaching the Unchurched
Adam Hamilton
April 1, 2007
In seminary I was taught that excellent preaching always started with the biblical text (preferably one chosen from among the four Lectionary texts assigned for a given week). I was to exegete the text, apply it to my hearers' lives, and then illustrate it. The process looks something like this: Biblical text —› Exegesis —› Application —› Illustration This is excellent biblical preaching. But it also assumes that your hearers are interested in what the Bible has to say and that it has authority for their lives. This is a fair assumption for Christians. But in our increasingly post-Christian culture, many people are not so interested in what the Bible says, nor are they convinced that it should carry any authority for their lives. So at least some of our preaching must have a different starting point. In half of my sermon series each year, we start not with the biblical text, but with the human condition. What are the issues, struggles, or questions people are wrestling with? We then "exegete" these issues, and then ask how the Bible addresses them. We apply the biblical text, explain it and how it addresses the issue. Then we illustrate. This kind of preaching looks something like this: Human condition —› Exegesis —› Apply biblical teaching —› Illustrate Here's an example from a recent sermon series I preached: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris have been on the bestseller lists for months. On Christmas Eve at our candlelight services (when our congregation nearly triples in size, largely with unchurched people) we announced a series entitled "Conversations with an Atheist." We told the holiday attenders, "We will address ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
