I’m a part of a coaching network with Church of the Highlands (visit www.growleader.com for info). The other day my coach was teaching me something so helpful I had to pass it along here. It’s a preaching tip.
Jonathan (my coach) taught me how Chris Hodges (lead pastor of Church of the Highlands) instructs the students at their Bible College to “Dig a hole. Then throw a rope to help them out.” I loved this concept and used it this past Sunday. I’m sure I could’ve done better but four people gave their lives to Christ at the end of the message so I was pretty pumped!
Here’s how I tried to “dig a hole.”
- If you feel like something is missing that’s a clue that you need salvation (point 1).
- If you feel hopeless that’s a clue that you need salvation (point 2).
- If you feel weary that’s a clue that you need salvation (point 3).
Here’s how I tried to “throw a rope and help them out.”
- When you drink from God’s cup of salvation (we’re in a series called The Four Cups) the emptiness will go away. As bread satisfies your physical hunger so Jesus satisfies you spiritual hunger. As water quenches your spiritual thirst so Jesus quenches your spiritual thirst (John 6:35).
- When you drink from God’s cup of salvation hope is restored. God is the source of hope and He will fill you with to overflowing with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
- When you drink from God’s cup of salvation you will find rest. Jesus said: Come to me all who are weary and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-30).
This really helped me know what to bring up and when to bring it up. I don’t want to offer a solution until I’ve made clear the problem. First you create the tension. Then you help people resolve it. I thought this was great advice and found it very helpful! I hope you do too!
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