Why do you think that images and/or stories are such powerful means of communication? How does that understanding help to guide a person as he/she prepares a sermon?

Images and stories are a powerful means of communication because they are usually true and real and it’s something that we remember better and longer. That idea helps a person as she prepares a sermon to stay focused on her subject . It’s likely that the person can easier get the main point across to those listening, without losing their attention or interest. Pastors sometimes start or include a story into their sermon which helps them drive a point. We sometimes share stories to our children to teach them a lesson or the importance of something they shouldn’t do. Sharing stories or images is like sharing a object lesson. It’s important and can be very powerful.

People can relate to them and they allow us to remember what was said so much easier. This makes it important to choose fitting and proper illustrations.

Images whether in a picture form or a descriptive form, using words, can be very beneficial because some people learn by images and others can formulate the idea or meaning from a vivid descriptive vain. For these reason, I believe, based on your audience, you should consider both methods when preparing a sermon. You would always want the subject matter to be clear and also the relevance of the topic /subject and the solution to be clear to your audience as well.

Images can be used to illustrate an idea. It can also communicate to the viewer and/or audience and other cultures the realties of the main idea being communicated.
In a sermon you can use word images to develop and relate the sermon idea in a manner that make it easier for the listener to grasp the main idea of the sermon and how it can relate to them now.

Images and stories allow people to associate themselves with something. It brings the topic to realism. They don’t have to imagine the topic. They can see it or live it.