Jonah preached what is arguably the shortest sermon in the Bible (Jonah 3:4):
- just 8 words in the NRSV: Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!
- just 7 words in the Message: In forty days Nineveh will be smashed
- just 5 words in the original language (Hebrew)
So What?
One need not be long-winded to be effective. The results of Jonah’s five word sermon were nothing short of amazing. In our sound bite culture where big ideas are often conveyed or discussed in 140 characters or less, people and organizations should have clear focus.
My writing here and elsewhere as “sowhatfaith” has benefited considerably from the focus given by these few words:
- 4 words: Faith Matters. Does Yours?
- 2 words: So What?
What small group of words (ideally 5 or less) have shaped your life more than any other of late? What about the life of your congregation?