Craig Brian Larson - 1001 Illustrations That Connect: Compelling Stories, STATS, and News Items for Preaching, Teaching, and Writing

Also by Craig Brian Larson

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers (Baker, 2002), a compilation of Bakers three previous illustrations books

The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching (Zondervan, 2004), coedited with Haddon Robinson

Choice Contemporary Stories and Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers (Baker, 2000)

Contemporary Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers (Baker, 1999)

Hang in There to the Better End (Spire, 1996), originally published under the title Running

the Midnight Marathon(Revell, 1991)

Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching: From Leadership Journal (Baker, 1999)

More Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion (Tyndale, 2003), coedited/compiled with Drew Zahn

Movie-Based Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, volume 1 (Zondervan, 2003), coedited/compiled with Drew Zahn

Movie-Based Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, volume 2 (Zondervan, 2004), coedited/compiled with Laurie Quicke

Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion (Tyndale, 2002), coedited/compiled with Drew Zahn

Preaching That Connects (Zondervan, 1994), cowritten with Mark Galli

Staying Power (Baker, 2005), originally published under the title Pastoral Grit (Bethany House, 1998)

Also by Phyllis Ten Elshof

Church Leaders Answer Book (Tyndale, 2006), general editor with Lee Eclov

Couples Devotional Bible (Zondervan, 2008), general editor

Leadership Handbook of Management and Administration (Baker, 2007), general editor of revision

Men of Integrity Devotional Bible (Tyndale, 2002), general editor

Quest Study Bible (Zondervan, 2003), general editor of revised edition

Questions Women Ask (Nelson, 2008), general editor

Real Questions, Real Answers about Sex (Zondervan, 2005), general editor

Sweet Talk of Success (Nelson, 2007), general editor

What Cancer Cannot Do (Zondervan, 2006), writer and compiler

1001 Illustrations That Connect
ePub format
Copyright 2008 by Christianity Today International

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

ISBN-13: 978-0-310-32054-8

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.

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Interior design by Michelle Espinoza

TELL ME A STORY

Will you tell me a story? My kids asked that; now the grandkids ask it too. They love to be read their favorite stories, of course, which include the adventures of the Berenstein Bears, Dr. Seusss Green Eggs and Ham, and If You Give a Moose a Muffin, as well as the stories of Bible characters such as Daniel, Moses, and Samson.

But when the lights are off and were snuggling after prayers or were in the car minus books, its begging time for custom storiesones that tap into a fear, teach a lesson, warn about the consequences of messing up, or rejoice in the fun of getting something right. The stories can be wise, witty, scary, or sad, but the ones that go over best involve the kids themselves or grownups they know in real-life situations.

These are the kinds of illustrations that work best in preaching and teaching too. As John Ortberg, pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, in Menlo, California, says, the single largest source of his illustrations are stories about real people in real-life situations, because story communicates deeply. Illustrations bring color, verve, personality, and emotion to sermons and Bible study, which themselves are rich with Bible story.

For example, a sermon on the Good Samaritan hits home with a story Gordon MacDonald tells about failing to help a homeless man who fell and split open his chin in front of MacDonalds taxi (#320). If youre dumb enough to get that drunk, why should someone stop and help you? MacDonald asks, sounding very much like the Pharisee and Levite in Jesus parableas well as we who fail to help someone in self-inflicted trouble.

Likewise, the apostle Pauls teaching that the whole world is a prisoner of sin (Galatians 3:22) gets to us in Rich Doeblers tale of his outof-control ride on a Tilt-O-Whirl at a carnival in northern Minnesota (#329). After a few minutes the ride became miserable, Doebler writes. I was caught, going around in circles, held down by a merciless carnival ride operator.

Stories help sermons hit home. They are natural teaching tools. But they are also just plain fun to read. Take a stroll through the 1001 illustrations covering everything from aging, evangelism, and faith to suffering, temptation, and work. Perhaps in the dark of night, these stories will come back to you, offering hope, inspiration, peace, and strength for your daily walk with Christ.

Phyllis Ten Elshof, general editor

Editors note: Many illustrations in this book have been adapted from the sources cited in the credit lines.

ILLUSTRATION 1

FORGETTING TIMES THREE

Topics: Aging; Forgetfulness; Human
Condition; Limitations; Perspective;
Seasons; Time; Weakness

References: Deuteronomy 4:9;
6:1012; Psalm 71:9; Proverbs 16:31;
20:29; Isaiah 46:4; Jeremiah 3:21