The Challenge of Crafting a Good Challenge

I strive as a preacher to include certain elements in every message.

• Exposition/Explanation (what the Bible says)
• Illustration (appealing to the senses)
• Application (connecting to real life)
• Inspiration (get up and go)

I personally have to work the hardest at application.  And I have to guard against two mistakes.

Broad Application: The prophet Nathan could tell parables all day and get David to agree as long as they were general enough.  Generalized applications, made with broad, sweeping statements, get everyone to agree without anyone feeling personally challenged.  But truth hits home when the parable ends with "You're the man!"

Narrow Application: The opposite extreme is to get too specific.  If I only apply a message to twenty-nine year old Pistons fans who have been married less than four months, then 99% of the church will checkout and assume, "That one wasn't for me."

The great challenge in preaching is crafting a challenge that applies to everyone in a personal way.  That takes hard work, a few re-writes, unending interaction with real people, some newspaper/magazine subscriptions, and a whole lot of dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Comments

[mike mccrary]

Great thoughts Brad! Go Pistons!

I heard Warren say once, "if application is the point shouldn't the points be applications."