There was a moment in the New Testament when the Apostles organized new leaders and deacons to give the core group more time to focus on study and sermon delivery (Acts 6:1-7). This is because as a pastor, preaching is a big part of your job.

Naturally, we all want to be better preachers, so where should we turn? While we can learn tips from business leaders, stand-up comedians, and Apple keynotes, let’s learn from the best. Let’s learn how to communicate like Christ.

Jesus had a unique approach to communication style in that He saw himself as both a storyteller and a shepherd. He didn’t just deliver sermons. He told stories. He didn’t just teach theology. He told allegories. Jesus, the designer of human brains, knew that we need stories to understand spiritual ideas. What should we learn from that? How should that change how we preach? Let’s take a look at how Jesus explained the most important part of his message, the Kingdom, using very simple illustrations:

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.“

Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus loved a good story. In His ministry, He didn’t just preach sermons. He painted pictures with his words. Of all the teachings of Jesus, this short collection contains some of the biggest hits. Matthew 13 contains the parable of the sower, the weeds, the mustard seed, the pearl, and the hidden treasure. One of my favorite parts of this teaching is that Jesus uses a string of stories to ultimately communicate one big idea.

What was his core idea? In both the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast, the theme is expansion. The Kingdom of Heaven may seem small now, but it is growing into something you would not believe. Small faith leads to big outcomes. Small moments lead to big movements. God is starting something huge right there in Judea.

How do you help a bunch of uneducated farmers and homemakers understand this? With a visual prop. Christ offers two different parables to illustrate the exact same idea. We do not have proof of this, but I imagine Jesus actually showed a mustard seed in his hand when preaching. I could even see him mixing flour in a large bowl to show the crowd the process of yeast expanding in the dough. Jesus was a good preacher and he was not afraid of a prop!

I love that He used two stories instead of one. I believe it was because Jesus understood his audience. He looked out and saw a mixture of farmers with mud under their nails and bakers with flour under theirs. Instead of just focusing on one story, Jesus offered two — one about farming and one about cooking.

There is power in parable. The crowd perked up when He started talking about soil and yeast. Why? They understood these concepts. Jesus used natural parts of everyday life to supernaturally connect with people. He didn’t speak with abstract concepts, he used everyday stories featuring motifs his audience knew well — sheep, coins, servants doing work, and farming.

Why did Jesus use stories in the first place?

• Stories get our attention.
• Stories engage our emotions.
• Stories help with comprehension.

Why do you believe Jesus taught this way? It wasn’t about information. It was about transformation. So, let’s all ask ourselves — what elements make a good story-driven sermon? Reflecting on how Jesus taught, we can discern five essential characteristics of story-driven preaching.

P – Personal Connection
R – Relevant Examples
E – Engaging Applications
A – Action-Oriented Goals
C – Cultural Context
H– Heartfelt Discussion

P – Personal Stories: Jesus didn’t just deliver sermons from a podium; he met people where they were. Oftentimes, we even see him sitting on a rock or gathered around a table. Jesus wanted to personally connect with his audience first. That’s why he told stories that echoed their daily experiences. As preachers, this means you need to get personal early in your message. People perk up when you start telling a story, so be sure to have one show up early in your talk. It allows people to relate to you and feel as though you are preaching directly to them.

R – Relevant Examples: This is when the whole concept of parables comes into play. Jesus used a lot of illustrations in his teaching. Why? Relatable illustrations help people find personal applications. Jesus was the greatest storyteller to ever live, but He seldom just said things matter-of-factly. Rather, He would tell relatable stories that helped people understand complex principles. Simply put, a parable is a natural story that explains a supernatural truth. In our sermons, we should draw similarities from contemporary life, utilizing case studies and illustrations that directly address our congregants’ challenges and triumphs.

E – Engaging Applications: After sharing half a dozen parables, Jesus said, “Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matthew 13:51). In the ancient era here, people relied on teachers to help them understand God. Jesus said that preachers are like the hosts of a dinner party, they bring out new treasures and old ones to show their guests. I love this concept. As a preacher, your sermon is like show-and-tell. You take an inventory of your life, your congregation, and God’s truth, and you put it all together for your people. Always offer a clear “treasure” in every lesson you write. This is an application, as in “What should I do with this truth?” Offer these principles to your audience like an excited dinner host.

A- Action-Oriented Goals: When Jesus taught, his applications were tied to action. He would present a truth and then share how that changes your day-to-day life. Jesus was not satisfied with just telling a quality anecdote; he sought to inspire action. Each parable was purposefully constructed to provoke self-reflection regarding beliefs and behaviors. As pastors, we should strive to stir up our congregation toward taking concrete steps closer to Christ. It’s not enough to simply entertain or educate; we need to inspire action.

C – Cultural Context: I used to have a professor who always said, “Your exegesis should start with your audience.” I loved that. Exegesis, which is the art of interpreting scripture, should start with the question, “What does my congregation need to know about this passage?” Jesus clearly started with this question. How can I tel? He told two stories — one about farming and the other about baking. He was meeting two distinct audiences with one distinct truth. We should do the same in our preaching — use examples that make sense to our audience – every distinct part. Start your exegesis with the people sitting in your rows and you will take your community towards God’s ultimate goal for them. 

H – Heartfelt Discussion: Emotion was at the core of how Jesus taught. He didn’t shy from it. He didn’t hide from it. Quite frankly, it seems like Jesus liked a little emotional tension in his sermons. When he was talking about destroyed crops, people gasped. When he spoke of a coin getting lost, people got anxious. When he talked about faith being a mustard seed, they felt encouraged. Be sure an emotional spark is ignited with every message you share. Every breakthrough in faith starts in the heart. Preach like Jesus, know that your sermon could be the spark.

Pastors, when preaching like Jesus, share stories. Like a charismatic host at a dinner party, present old treasures alongside new ones for your guests. They will enjoy themselves and ultimately learn something from it. Your sermon is an opportunity for show-and-tell, where you combine your congregation’s life experiences with God’s truth. Just as Jesus aimed to provoke self-reflection and action through his parables, please strive to preach for transformation instead of just information. Preach like Jesus.