I just wanted to add one more important ingredient to the list. We need to describe well and preach dynamically. To effectively preach the story, we also need . . .
High Definition Imagination – To put it simply, if you can see it, they will see it. Instead of just describing “about” the story, we need to describe the story. We need to study well so that the image forms in our mind, then we need to describe what we can see as we tell the story. We need to be careful to preach the inspired text, rather than the event itself. However, in preaching the text, we do describe the event/story. If that is merely facts, it will not communicate well. If it is a foggy view through the mists of time, then people will only hear the fog. But if we can study ourselves through to a point of clarity, then we have a chance of preaching so that the reality of the narrative forms in the minds and hearts of the listeners.
This certainly overlaps with description skill, but all the skill in the world will fall flat if we do not have a high definition imagination that is thoroughly informed by Scripture. We have to see it, if they are to see it.