I hate to admit it, but I just devoured what seems to be the book of the year in Christian circles... Robert McKee's Story, which is about writing screenplays. Fascinating read. It's forever changed the way I watch movies.
One thing it taught me -- the best movies introduce plot as soon as possible in the storyline. There has to be a tension for the audience to hold on. Proved to be true when Ains and I watched Wolverine this past weekend. The plot wasn't introduced until 40 minutes in... Snore.
I think the same goes for sermons. There has to be tension for the audience to hold on... a great conflict that must be relieved. A dilemma that the truth of scripture must come in and save. And the sooner it's introduced... the better.
sweet bro. i will pick up a copy to read. sounds awesome.
Posted by: Jason Young | October 07, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Interesting. Andy Stanley talks about the need to introduce tension in the introduction of a sermon.
Posted by: JFRadosevich | October 07, 2009 at 09:53 AM
I love this! Not being creative when we bring the Word is lazy and not in keeping with our creator!
We just began reading the Bible, cover-to-cover, as a church. It should end late, late night Friday. My office sits right next to the auditorium - so, all day I'm hearing different voices read the Word of God - AMAZING! HE knows how to write a STORY!
Posted by: Chilly | October 07, 2009 at 10:02 AM
That book by way of Don Millers new book has had significant effect on my preaching lately...Just the concept of story really. And I say that as a reformed exegetical guy...
D
Posted by: David Drake | October 07, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I love that this book is making rounds in Christian circles. Beneath the surface, this book is about so much more than screenwriting. It offers insight into the nature of stories and why we tell them. It had a profound impact on me.
Posted by: Justin Snyder | October 07, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Sounds like a great book. I'll add it to my list.
--Terrace Crawford
www.terracecrawford.com
www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
Posted by: Terrace Crawford | October 07, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Great point Ben! Implementing immediately!
Posted by: Pete Wilson | October 07, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Great post. Sounds like a great book and definitely a great truth about the plot of a sermon. The "big idea" is the term I learned and should be introduced early in the sermon and repeated often and driven home.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Hollingsworth | October 07, 2009 at 11:50 PM