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You can’t beat it: that moment when the eyes of the people sitting in front of you light up and they suddenly get it.
Anyone who does work with children or young people longs to see that penny-drop moment—and there’s something about a well-chosen, properly explained illustration that has a tendency to make it drop faster than a lot else. But illustrations can be hard to get right!
A good illustration is simple, clarifies an idea and sticks in the mind—and makes sure the Bible truth sticks with it. A bad illustration confuses or misleads—or is loads of fun, but with only a tenuous and soon-forgotten link to the main teaching point.
A good illustration is simple, clarifies an idea and sticks in the mind—and makes sure the Bible truth sticks with it.
Good or bad, few illustrations are original, and that’s why we’re collating some of our favourite gospel illustrations into a new series of blog posts.
#1: Three types of cross
This neat little way of talking about the cross was suggested by Mark Addison (who tells us he “nicked it from somewhere”!).
It centres on three different types of cross. Here’s how to tell it:
Ask: What does your teacher write on your work when you put 1+1 = 3?
Answer: A cross.
A cross tells us that we get things wrong. Jesus had to die on a cross because we get things wrong. We live like we're in charge instead of God.
Ask: When my mum sends me a text, what do you think she puts at the end?
Answer: A cross.
Crosses show us love. The cross that Jesus died on shows us that Jesus loves us so much he was willing to die for us. He took the punishment for what we do wrong—for living like we're the boss and God isn’t.
Ask: What's the best bit on a pirate's map?
Answer: the cross
Why? Because it's where the treasure is!
Crosses lead us to the treasure. The cross Jesus died on means that now we can have the best treasure we could ever imagine—a friendship with God that lasts for ever!
Do you have an ultimate gospel illustration? Tell us about it and we’ll try to feature it on our blog too!
Did you know that we run a whole host of training events throughout the year for anyone involved in youth and children’s work? Growing Young Disciples training days are jammed full of spiritual encouragement, practical tips and fresh ideas.
Plus, The Bible-Centered Youthworker Conference is our annual residential conference for youth, children’s or families workers, and returns Monday 25th – Thursday 28th January 2016.
Rachel Jones is the author of A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really), Is This It? and several books in the award-winning Five Things to Pray series, and serves as Vice President (Editorial) at The Good Book Company. She helps teach kids at her church, King's Church Chessington, in Surrey, UK.
