James Henley

Telling a good story

Stories are a vital part of every sermon or presentation. They engage the audience on an emotional level in a way that delivering information just can’t do. Here’s some of my ideas about how to tell a really good story.

When I first started preaching a few years ago, I fell into a trip which I think many others fall into. I prepared sermons packed full of important information, but no stories. The more I’ve matured as a communicator, the more I’ve realised that the part of any sermon, talk or presentation that audiences most seem to grab onto and engage with are the stories I tell - whether they are about me or others.

Pretty much every good story has three clear parts - the more clearly defined these three sections are the easier it is to engage the audience in the story:

1. Beginning - The Setting

The scene is set and the main character or characters are introduced.

2. Middle - The Obstacle

This is the most significant part of any story. The character(s) encounter an obstacle which they need to overcome. The audience should be hanging on every word, desperate to find out how the obstacle or challenge is going to be overcome.

3. End - The Conclusion

How the character(s) overcame whatever obstacle they faced, leaving them in a better place than when they began.

An example:

Mother Theresa was a nun who lived a simple, but relatively comfortable life within the four walls of a convent in the city of Calcutta, India.
But as she saw more of the city, she saw extreme famine and was faced with many suffering people. She felt God calling her to do something, but to act would mean sacrificing her own comfort.
She left the convent and lived on the streets, living alongside and caring for those who were suffering. People began to join her, and many years later the movement she started works in many countries across the world.

How do you use story as a way of communicating? What tips would you give for telling captivating stories?