Gospel-Telling

by Coleman, Richard J.

• ISBN13: 9780788019494
• ISBN10: 078801949X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Css Pub Co

Summary

When was the last time you took a moment to consider the purpose and effectiveness of your children's sermons? After all, nothing is more important than sowing the seeds of faith early in life. In this comprehensive look at all aspects of preaching the gospel to young people, Richard Coleman challenges you to examine your approach with a critical eye and gives you plenty of practical guidance for developing simple, direct messages that help children form a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the first section of Gospel-Telling, Coleman discusses what constitutes meaningful children's sermons, offering a thoughtful rationale for the idea that we must proclaim the gospel so youngsters experience God's love. You'll learn how you can mine your own experience for inspiration and proclaim gospel stories that flow from your specific circumstances. Then in the second portion of the book you'll see this process at work, with over 30 examples illustrating several different types of children's sermons. Whether you're a pastor, Christian educator, or engaged in the teaching

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(6)
Part I - Laying A Firm Foundation
Introduction	15	(2)
It's Not All That Easy	17	(16)
Moralism And Humanism	17	(3)
Simile, Allegory, Metaphor, Literalism	20	(3)
Object Lessons	23	(1)
The Misuse Of Biblical Heroes And Stories	24	(4)
Participatory Communication	28	(5)
The Purpose Behind Our Gospel-Telling	33	(8)
The Distinctive Character Of The Gospel	33	(2)
Integrating The Sermon Into Worship And Life	35	(1)
Supporting One Central Point	36	(1)
Liturgical vs. Secular Calendar	37	(1)
The Bigger Picture	38	(1)
Using Scripture And Prayer Appropriately	39	(2)
The Art Of Gospel-Telling	41	(14)
Where To Begin	41	(1)
Developing Your Style And Tone	42	(3)
Targeting Your Sermon	45	(4)
Watching Your Language	49	(2)
Heart, Mind, And Spirit	51	(1)
Music	51	(4)
The Story Form As Proclamation	55	(6)
Using Storytelling In Gospel-Telling	55	(1)
Overhearing The Gospel	56	(2)
Becoming A Good Storyteller	58	(3)
The Ten Commandments Of Gospel-Telling	61	(4)
Part II - Variety: The Spice Of Gospel-Telling	65	(4)
Definitions
Let's Pretend	69	(10)
Death Comes To The Henry Family	70	(3)
Sammy No Share	73	(2)
Show Me How Strong You Are	75	(2)
Stilling The Storm	77	(2)
Visual Demonstrations	79	(16)
A Book Of Words/The Book Of Love	80	(2)
Adding A Drop Of Love	82	(3)
Breakfast Of Champions	85	(2)
Humpty Dumpty Had A Great Fall	87	(2)
My One-tenth Box	89	(2)
You Make Me Feel Like A Grapefruit	91	(2)
You Can't Steal A Spirit	93	(2)
Dramatic Participation	95	(14)
An Apple A Day	96	(2)
All The Glue In The World	98	(2)
Building A Church	100	(2)
Fifty-two Card Pick-up	102	(2)
Yesterday I Stomped On A Frog	104	(2)
What To Do With A Chocolate Chip Cookie?	106	(3)
Pantomime And Echo	109	(12)
Love Conquers All	110	(2)
Overcoming Temptation	112	(3)
The Good Samaritan, Part I	115	(2)
The Good Samaritan, Part II	117	(4)
Storytelling	121	(14)
A Prince In Disguise	122	(3)
Baa-Baa	125	(3)
Devils Are For Sale, Aren't They?	128	(3)
Looking For The Devil	131	(2)
The Story Of Tom Gobble	133	(2)
The Prophets	135	(10)
A Special Note	136	(1)
How Will We Turn Out?	137	(2)
Breaking Pots	139	(2)
Jim, The Promise-Mender	141	(4)
Puppets	145	(10)
A Special Note	146	(2)
God Doesn't Make Telephone Calls	148	(2)
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know	150	(2)
What Color Is God's Skin?	152	(3)
Postscript	155	(2)
Endnotes	157	(2)
Bibliography	159