They heard it. You preached it.
But by Monday… it’s gone.
If I asked you to name the last three sermons you heard, you might struggle.
And you may have preached them.
But if I asked about your favorite movie, or a story that changed your life?
You’d light up.
That’s not because your sermons were bad. It’s because you’re wired for story—by God.
Yet most sermons still sound like lectures:
- Outlines.
- Subpoints.
- Greek words.
- Exposition on exposition.
Helpful? Sometimes.
Memorable? Rarely.
If you want your sermons to stick, it might be time to stop leaning so hard on explanation…
And let story do the heavy lifting.
The Preaching Problem: Too Many Sermons are Built for Brains, Not for Hearts
Let me be clear:
Content matters. Doctrine matters. Truth matters.
I’m big on theological clarity.
But let’s not confuse accuracy with impact.
Because preaching that only educates rarely edifies.
People forget information.
They remember experiences.
And stories are mini-experiences.
The shortest path from the head to the heart is a well-told story.
This is why people remember your sermon illustration… but not your outline.
It’s not because you didn’t preach the truth.
It’s because story sticks.
And guess who knew that? Jesus.
- That’s why He told parables.
- That’s why He answered questions with stories.
- That’s why our Bible is filled with narratives, not just points.
What if your sermons followed the same model?
Preach the Bible Through Story—Not Just About It
The Bible isn’t a theology textbook.
It’s a massive, unfolding story of redemption.
So when we reduce it to bullet points of truth, we remove the very thing that makes it powerful:
Immersion.
Try this instead.
1. Preach the Story, Not Just the Principle
Pick a Bible character or narrative arc.
Let it breathe. Let it unfold.
Walk your people through it like they’re in it.
Then bring the principle forward.
“Joseph’s story isn’t just about perseverance—it’s about trusting God when your purpose is buried under betrayal.”
Use the story to stick the truth.
2. Draw Application from the Character’s Journey
Instead of jumping to “What should you do?” ask:
“Where do you see yourself in this story?”
Make it human.
Make it real.
Then invite response.
3. Simplify Your Structure to Follow the Narrative
Think in scenes, not points:
-
- Scene 1: The conflict
- Scene 2: The response
- Scene 3: God’s movement
- Scene 4: The takeaway
It’s not less structured.
It’s just more memorable.
4. Tie It All Together
Don’t assume the story will do all the work.
Name the principle. Clarify the application.
Give it legs.
Try This: A Practical Narrative Series
This Sunday, or this season, try something new:
- Choose a Bible character.
- Preach through their story for 4–6 weeks.
- One story + one clear takeaway per week.
Focus on clarity, not coverage.
You don’t need to explain every detail.
You just need people to walk away with one truth they can’t forget.
That’s how truth sticks.
That’s how story shapes souls.
That’s how your preaching breaks through the fog of pressure and busyness and creates real-life transformation.
Quotes to Share
The shortest path from the head to the heart is a well-told story.
Don’t just preach about the Bible—preach it through the stories God already told.
When your sermon becomes an experience, not just information, people don’t just listen—they change.
Here is another article you may enjoy:
Want to Preach Better Sermons?
I help churches do this every month. Reply to this email if you’d like to discuss how I may be able to serve you and your church.
You can also:
Join a FREE Pressure Valve Session: I host a monthly Pressure Valve Session to help pastors like you tackle one of these seven pressures head-on.
Attend a Leadership Lab: Attend a digital strategy lab and walk away with a practical plan to confidently lead under pressure. Or I’ll come to you and host a retreat or a 1-day workshop.
Take the Pressure Inventory: This free, 5-minute assessment helps you identify where the pressure is heaviest for you.
Leading Through The Pressure With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams
