Charles Spurgeon called illustrations "the windows of a sermon." Without them, your message sits in a dark room of abstract ideas. With the right illustration, truth suddenly becomes vivid, felt, and remembered.
The 5 Sources of Great Illustrations
1. Personal Experience
Your own stories carry authenticity that no borrowed illustration can match. Vulnerability builds trust. When you share your failures alongside your faith, people lean in — because they see themselves in your story.
2. Scripture Itself
The Bible is full of vivid narratives that illuminate other passages. Use David's confrontation with Goliath to illustrate faith. Use the Prodigal Son to illuminate grace. Cross-referencing Scripture with Scripture is always powerful.
3. History and Biography
The stories of missionaries, reformers, and everyday believers throughout church history provide a deep well of illustration. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie ten Boom, Hudson Taylor — their lives illuminate Scripture in unforgettable ways.
4. Current Events and Culture
A reference to something your congregation experienced this week — a news event, a local occurrence, or a cultural moment — creates immediate connection. Just be careful with political topics and ensure the illustration serves the text, not the other way around.
5. Everyday Observations
Some of the best illustrations come from ordinary moments: a conversation at a coffee shop, watching your child learn to ride a bike, the way a sunrise reminded you of new mercies. Train yourself to see sermons in everyday life.
Carry a small notebook or use your phone's notes app. When an illustration-worthy moment happens, capture it immediately. The best ideas evaporate within hours.
Illustration Dos and Don'ts
- DO: Use illustrations that illuminate the text's point
- DO: Keep illustrations brief — 60-90 seconds maximum
- DO: Include sensory details that people can picture
- DON'T: Use your spouse or kids without permission
- DON'T: Make yourself the hero of every story
- DON'T: Use dated illustrations that require explanation
AI-Generated Illustration Ideas
AI tools can suggest illustration angles you might not have considered. Feed in your passage and Big Idea, and get a dozen possible illustration directions in seconds. Then choose the one that fits your congregation and make it your own.