Make a sermon come alive by telling a story from world missions history
Global Evangelism sermon illustration assignment instructions
TL;DR
This assignment from the Global Evangelism course asks students to find and retell a story from world missions history that could serve as a sermon illustration on any topic, not just missions. The goal is to select a memorable, vivid, and accurate story that brings a sermon to life. A strong sermon illustration is relevant, clear, engaging, and visually vivid. It should simplify spiritual truths, stir emotions or reflection, and help listeners picture the message in their minds.
"One of the things that impacted me most in this course was researching a missionary
for the sermon illustration assignment." -- John Holz, youth minister
Simplified grading rubric
Use this rubric as a checklist before submitting your story to Scribe.
Choose a story from missions history that could illustrate a sermon on a topic other than world missions.
Was the assignment submitted on time?
Does the submission meet the minimum length requirement?
Does the story come from the history of global evangelism rather than from the Bible or a recent event?
Does the story include enough detail for listeners to remember it after hearing it once?
Does the submission focus on telling the story, with little or no explanation of its intended application?
Is the story told mostly in the student's own words, with all direct quotations enclosed in quotation marks and their sources identified?
Are three subjects or topics listed for sermons in which this story or illustration could be used?
Most stories will need more detail than the textbook or lecture provides. Are all sources consulted listed?
Is the submission relatively free of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage mistakes?
In terms of achieving assignment goals, is this work exceptional, excellent, good, acceptable, minimal, or inadequate?
Note: The course web pages on the official Nazarene Bible College site will contain
expanded written instructions for this sermon illustration assignment.
A good sermon illustration is one that captures the attention of the congregation and vividly communicates the message of the sermon. Here's a description of what makes a good sermon illustration:
Relevance: Sermon illustrations should directly connect with the sermon theme or topic. They should help clarify and apply the biblical passages or spiritual principles in the sermon.
Clarity: Illustrations should be clear and easy to understand. If they are overly complex or convoluted, the preacher may need to explain the illustration itself, reducing its usefulness. Illustrations are meant to clarify the main points of the sermon rather than muddy them.
Engagement: A good illustration engages the congregation on an emotional or intellectual level. Depending on the tone and direction of the sermon, it could call forth empathy, curiosity, humor, or reflection. Engaging illustrations hold listeners' attention and keep them interested in the sermon.
Visual imagery: The best illustrations create vivid mental images. Whether through storytelling, anecdotes, metaphors, or examples from everyday
life, visual imagery helps to make abstract concepts concrete and memorable.
"It was energizing to realize how naturally missions and evangelism can be woven into every sermon I preach." -- Beth Bramhall
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What kind of online student are you? Do others think of you as Busy or Wordy or Disconnected Dan? Do you sometimes come across as Oblivious or Trite-ly or even End-times Edith? ... [ more
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"This is a great course that opened my eyes to the struggles Christians face around the globe. It gave me an understanding of the real need for missionaries around the world. It's still hard to fathom that there are over three billion people who have not heard about Jesus." -- student on a course evaluation
