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jwelchans's review against another edition
5.0
Communicators everywhere should buy this book. Best formula for creating and remembering a speech, talk, presentation, etc. Changed my communicating skills in big ways, it's the best book I've found on the subject.
theshleester's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting ideas - I don't agree with everything he says but I'm intrigued to try out his preaching model.
The first half of the book conveys his 7 imperatives as a story. This is genius. I was so engaged, and then in the 2nd half when he goes back through the 7 imperatives with more detail/context, I already knew what he was talking about - reminders and revisiting information rather than being overwhelmed by new content
The first half of the book conveys his 7 imperatives as a story. This is genius. I was so engaged, and then in the 2nd half when he goes back through the 7 imperatives with more detail/context, I already knew what he was talking about - reminders and revisiting information rather than being overwhelmed by new content
jthornenj's review against another edition
5.0
I try to reread this book about once a year, the principles that Andy Stanley puts out in this book have helped my speaking abilities sevenfold.
jacoboboyle's review against another edition
4.0
For what it is, this small book is a fantastic introduction and guide to a tried and true style of preaching/teaching. The book teaches the principles and format of the Me/We/God/You/We method in two ways. Firstly, the book is written in narrative form, telling the story of a pastor who is given guidance by a wise veteran speaker. Secondly, the book takes the principles put forth in the narrative portion and expands and explains them in a more straight-forward manner. It is a short read, designed to be very accessible for a wide range of readers. This was very helpful in giving me an easily memorable way to navigate public speaking. The methodology and principles presented are memorable and approachable. I read this as part of a preaching class I took at university and found this to be the more helpful and practical of the assigned books given. I have recommended this and will continue to recommend it for those looking for a good resource in speaking/preaching. For some, the basic premise of having one big idea as the focal point of a sermon may seem to exclude those other traditions of homiletics that are valuable and worth celebrating. This book does contribute a valid method for preaching and teaching that can act as a helpful tool that can be added to one’s homiletical tool belt.
nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Some of my friends will really bristle at Stanley's concept of a one point sermon. I probably would have too if it were not for two factors. The first is that my preaching professor, Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas, encouraged his students to lean in this direction. The man is in his late eighties and has been preaching and studying the art of preaching since he was a teenager, so I trust him. The second reason is that I have sat through all kinds of multi-point sermons since infancy and the ones that I still remember where the simple ones.
Recently, I preached a sermon that I was hoping to motivate life change. What I got afterwards were comments on how interesting it was. Grrrr.
Don't get me wrong. I love deep, scholarly, verse by verse expository preaching --heck I love reading commentaries for crying out loud --but the majority of people sitting in the pew aren't that type of learner. We shouldn't punish them because they are not. That's what a Pharisee would do. Jesus taught mostly in parables-- simple, one point sermons.
Ok. So enough of my defense for the gist of the book. There is a lot of helpful material in his book that can help Christian teachers and preachers connect with their audience in order to present the gospel clearly. There is some occasional mega church, business model, marketing drivel, but over all I found it to be good, easy to read, and easy to remember.
Recently, I preached a sermon that I was hoping to motivate life change. What I got afterwards were comments on how interesting it was. Grrrr.
Don't get me wrong. I love deep, scholarly, verse by verse expository preaching --heck I love reading commentaries for crying out loud --but the majority of people sitting in the pew aren't that type of learner. We shouldn't punish them because they are not. That's what a Pharisee would do. Jesus taught mostly in parables-- simple, one point sermons.
Ok. So enough of my defense for the gist of the book. There is a lot of helpful material in his book that can help Christian teachers and preachers connect with their audience in order to present the gospel clearly. There is some occasional mega church, business model, marketing drivel, but over all I found it to be good, easy to read, and easy to remember.
lmuenti's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Very informative and inspiring but could be half the lenght.
stephen_angliss's review against another edition
4.0
In my opinion, the most benefitting book on preaching out there. Nothing will actually make you a better preacher more than this book.
philippelazaro's review against another edition
4.0
“Preaching is not talking to people about the Bible; it is talking to people about themselves from the Bible.”
–Andy Stanley
This was a great book that has changed the way I put together talks or public communication.
I would love it if the approach found in this book became more normalized. Many of us have encountered so many talks that are built off extensive outlines and itemized lists. While there's room for that, this book helped explain why some of the most life-changing talks and sermons I've ever heard were ones that stuck with me ever since.
–Andy Stanley
This was a great book that has changed the way I put together talks or public communication.
I would love it if the approach found in this book became more normalized. Many of us have encountered so many talks that are built off extensive outlines and itemized lists. While there's room for that, this book helped explain why some of the most life-changing talks and sermons I've ever heard were ones that stuck with me ever since.