From: Preaching and Preachers
A Series of Nine Seminars for Men Led by Stuart Olyott

We are called to preach God's Word with exegetical accuracy and doctrinal substance.   All our labours will be lost if our preaching cannot be followed or remembered.  Clear structure is of paramount importance.  And so is Vivid Illustration.

1. The Value of Illustrations
   Illustrations are windows which let the light in.  They are essential for those who are poor at abstract logic but good at visual thinking.
   - They explain the truth and give it a certain argumentative force.
   - They make the truth attractive, and also impressive.
   - They make the truth memorable.
   
2. Sources of Illustrations
   - Scripture
   - Observation
   - Invention
   - Etcetera - literature, art, science, poetry, publications, history, biography.
   
   All of us could illustrate better if we tried harder and for longer.
   
3. The Selection of IIlustrations
   Illustrations should be:
   - Subordinate: serving the truth, not ruling it.
   - Clear: not involved.
   - Brief: never drawn out.
   - Dignified: avoiding all bad taste.
   - Varied: rather than stilted.
   - Accurate: both factually and theologically
   
   Let's put the lights on and let our people see the shape of what we are talking about!
   

Questions for Discussion:

1. Can what has been said today be substantiated biblically?
   
2. A friend of yours is in trouble.  He is a preacher who badly wants to illustrate.  He works hard at it but gets nowhere.  What practical advice are you going to give him?
   
3. Another friend illustrates easily and liberally; but people who listen to him say that he is just a story-teller.  What are you going to say to him?
   
4. Are there some dangers in this area that we have overlooked?
   
5. Is it really that important?