Sunday services have many important elements that can impact whether or not someone returns and goes from being a first-time guest to a committed member. One of the most important aspects of a Sunday Service is the sermon, especially how you end your sermon.
End Your Sermon Well
Sermons help your church learn about the Bible, teach important Biblical principles that will help grow their faith and can be used to unite your church to move towards the same goals and cause. The two most important parts of an engaging sermon are how you start and finish. When it comes to ending your sermons, you have to try and end on a memorable moment so that people walk away inspired and can take what you’ve taught and do something about it right away.
With this in mind, here are 10 creative ways to end your sermon.
1. Use a Personal Story
Sharing facts or information is good and important, but people don’t always remember it all. People will, however, remember a story. Ending your sermon with a personal story that drives home your main point or idea will stick with your congregation and leave them with a real-life example of how they can live out the subject of the passage you’re speaking on.
You can share a story of a time you succeeded or a story of a time you failed. Whatever direction you decide to go, make sure the story is accessible to your audience. This can be as simple as a childhood memory, like swimming, going to the park, or something specific to your area and city. The important thing is to know your audience enough to share something that will connect with a large portion of the crowd.
2. Use an Inspirational story
Just like the previous point, sharing a story will certainly stick out in your sermon and message. Instead of using a personal story, share an inspirational story about someone or something else. A great place to harvest such stories is from books, podcasts, or real people in your congregation.
Share a story about someone else’s successes or how they’ve overcome the odds. Make sure the story is on point with your Bible passage or subject. Sharing a real-life story about someone else will demonstrate to your congregation that if someone else can do that, they can do it too.
3. Use a Prop
Using a prop is another great way to end your sermon in a way that will leave a lasting impression. You can use everyday items like cooking tools or food, or get really creative and set up a table or entire set on stage.
You know your audience the best, so you’ll know what will resonate with your people. S
ermon props or illustrations can really make your subject or passage come to life. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. You can keep it simple. A lot of times the simple things are the more powerful things.
4. Show a Movie Clip
Another great way to end your sermon is by including a movie clip. Use a movie or scene that is appropriate and general enough that most people would be familiar with what they’re watching. You can use a classic film like E.T., Rocky, or the original Star Wars, or something more
modern like a new Marvel movie or a popular Netflix film. Whatever direction you decide to go, movie clips will capture your audience, drive home your message, and leave people talking about what they just saw and learned.
5. Play a Special Song
Ending your sermon with a special song can really inspire people and emphasize your message. If you’re talking about God the Father, “Good Good Father” by Cody Carnes could be the special song you end the sermon with. If you’re talking about God being our provider, you can end with the song “Jireh” by Maverick City. Ending with a special song can really enforce your message.
Suggested Resources
- Good Good Father (WorshipHouse Media)
- Jireh (WorshipHouse Media)
6. Use a Practical Action
Having some practical actions gives your message tangible action items that people can start putting into practice right away. You can have one big action you want them to do or have multiple actions you want them to take. Make sure to “challenge” them to accomplish these action items. An example of one big action would be to commit to praying for 15 minutes each day. An example of multiple actions you’re speaking on, for example, generosity, would be to commit to tithing for a month, pay for a random person’s Starbucks, and volunteer at a local charity. The important thing is to make the action items easy enough to accomplish while stretching their comfort zone.
7. Share a Video Testimony
Video Testimonies can really inspire your church to action. This is another great way to end your sermon on a high note. The best video testimonies are from people within your church community. These real-life stories and examples show your church that if God can do something for that person, they can do it for them as well.
If you don’t have the creative team or budget to do anything fancy, you can simply use your phone to record someone sharing their testimony. It doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as the story is captured on film.
8. Leave Your Congregation with an Acronym
Ending your sermon with an acronym is a simple but powerful way to make your message memorable. You can build the acronym throughout the message or “reveal” the acronym at the end with all your points. An example would be LOVE – Listen, Obey, Value, and Exemplify.
Whatever you decide to do, end your sermon by clearly displaying the acronym so that everyone can see it and remember it.
9. Distribute a Physical Reminder with a Handout
Physical handouts are another way to end your sermon so that people will never forget your message. It also works as a constant reminder of the message or passage you use whenever they see that specific object.
An example would be a small key you can give to everyone to demonstrate that they have the keys to the church because the church belongs to them, not just the pastor or staff. If you don’t have the budget for a physical object, you can print something like a picture, and use that as a handout. Whatever you decide to do, leaving people with something physical helps them to remember the sermon.
10. Give Away a Resource
Another way to end your sermon is by giving away resources. You can give away a book specific to the message or topic you’re sharing or software like Financial Peace University. You could also recommend certain podcasts or YouTube channels. Whatever direction you decide to go, the goal is to put something in your church’s hands that they can take home and apply to their lives.
Be Creative
Whichever way you decide to end your sermons, the important thing to keep in mind is to be creative. Budget limitations are not an excuse not to end your sermons strongly. Budget limitations are invitations to be creative. Use the tips above to end your sermon strong and help your congregation learn and grow.
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