Support material

We tend to think that we will add power to a message by adding more. Perhaps more material or evidences or quotes in support of a point. Perhaps more volume or pitch or speed in delivery. It is very important to know when less is more! Sometimes the powerful clarity of a single statement is cloaked by extra material. Sometimes the secret to a deep impact in delivery is to do the opposite of the obvious.

When less is more in content – Long speeches are regularly forgotten, but succinct ones stand tall in history. Multiple exhibits given in evidence may confuse listeners who are trying to remember the detail without clarity as to the main goal. Numerous quotes may begin to feel like mere words when one pithy powerful quote might ring true, loud and clear. A complex main idea may be accurate, but will it change lives like a carefully honed succinct statement?

Tomorrow we’ll consider when less is more in delivery.

I’ll take another couple of posts to focus on introductions and conclusions, but first, it’s time to focus on support material. Robinson calls this stage “fleshing out the skeleton.” You know why you are preaching (stage 5), what your main idea is (stage 6) and what your strategy or structure is (stage 7). Then it is time to carefully plan where to add support material. Where do people need clarification on your explanation? Where might your message be improved by touching down in today’s world? It is important to include illustrative material so that the message does not degenerate into a poor lecture. But merely sprinkling illustrations is not a wise approach. Illustrations, or as I prefer to call them, support material or applications (note correction here), should be planned carefully and evaluated to the same extent as every other element in the message. If they do not support the main idea and help the message to progress, then cut and find a better alternative. Remember, the best illustrations come not from obscure anecdotes or historical mythology, but from the everyday experience of your listeners, so learn to be an observer of normal life – this will help you to touch down in their world as much as possible in your preaching.

Previously – It is critical to remember that illustrations are servants, not masters in the sermon. Try to make your illustrations relevant, and banish boredom from your preaching. There can be great variety in your illustrating (see also part 2), and often you can find illustration images right in the text. The keys to effective illustration use include concrete language and taking enough time (see here too). One option that may need too much time is the use of movie clips (see also part 2). It is important to be pastorally careful (part 2). Don’t forget the power of humor, make your sermon sizzle and maybe even illustrate without illustrations.