Sticky Sermons

When you hear a good sermon, what do you remember? Do you remember the passage? Do you remember the linear points the preacher made or the Greek and Hebrew words used?

Communication is slippery, and it demands that we, as the brothers Heath tell us, make our ideas sticky (Made To Stick by Dan and Chip Heath). But what makes one idea sticky and another slippery?

For an idea to be sticky, it must engage us on multiple levels—not just the cognitive, but the emotional as well. It should not be overly complex but simple. It must not be too predictable but must introduce an element of surprise. Sticky ideas, according to the Heath brothers, are both concrete and credible.

One of the best ways to make your preaching sticky is to work hard at becoming a master storyteller. Stories have the ability, like nothing else, to embed themselves deep in the long-term memories of people. Stories can move us in ways that a simple recitation of facts never can.

Think back with me to the last three sermons you heard. What do you remember? What was the preacher’s text? Can you give the main point of the sermon? Can you think of one story he or she told?

One Response to “Sticky Sermons”

1. Kris says:

   July 29, 2011 at 10:33 am

   It’s always the story, the illustration. Had a great talk with a 70 year old member who shared she couldn’t remember a single scripture passage, but she remembered dozens or hundreds of illustrations and stories.