Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection

by Lisa Washington Lamb, Mark a Labberton (Foreword)

We need good news now more than ever. We are hungry to connect—with God and with each other. Whether you preach from a pulpit or simply want to communicate more effectively as a leader, this book will empower you to bring that good news with fresh boldness. It teaches a simple, practical method of testing the crucial connection points that too often go missing in our preaching. It invites you to pay attention to the verbs of your sermons, so that you will be better able to lament painful struggles with empathy, awaken joyful hope for the future, and catalyze faithful discipleship in the present.

Genres: Theology

162 pages, Hardcover

Published December 6, 2022

Reviews

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resonate made me rethink my approach to teaching the Bible. I'm not a pastor, but I often speak on the Bible. This book gave me new approaches to making my presentations memorable and applicable. I read it as I was preparing for a session that I felt a little nervous about and Lamb's approach made me focus more on the message and the people who would hear it--instead of how I would be perceived.

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for the Stone-Campbell Journal and my review will appear there.

[Dorothy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard about Lisa's book, I wondered if it would be overly academic for me. (The premise being that good preaching depends a great deal on the verbs that we choose.) It's not! It's accessible, informative, and insightful. Dr. Lamb argues that to achieve resonance on Sunday mornings (or in the classroom during the week), preachers need to not only understand the Scripture but also enliven it. That happens through personal integrity, but also by understanding how to use language, and specifically, the 11 verb forms. She defines a preacher as "One who brings God's word to persons they love." Lamb insists that sermons should, and need to, "do something: namely to catalyze transformation." And then she shows us how to make that happen. It's a fascinating and encouraging book for anyone who preaches, speaks, or lectures.