introduction to expository preaching

INTRODUCTION TOEXPOSITORY PREACHING

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DefinitionsFoundationsCharacteristicsMethodsPointers

INTRODUCTION TOEXPOSITORY PREACHING

The Levites...instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

- Neh 8:7-8

INTRODUCTION TOEXPOSITORY PREACHING

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

- Neh 8:7-8

WHAT ISEXPOSITORY PREACHING?

Expository preaching is the proclamation of God’s word using Biblical context as the main basis for explanations.

WHAT ISEXPOSITORY PREACHING?

Compared with conventional preaching, expository preaching strives to focus and highlight the context of the Bible more than anything else. Exposition involves factual data that leads to Bible truths.

Characteristics

The foundation of expository preaching is the Bible.

The focus of expository preaching is exegesis.

The method of expository preaching is explanation.

Example of Paul “preaching”They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. - 1 Cor 10:3-9

Elements of Exposition

Information about the Text/Verse Information about the writer Information about the recipients or readers Conclusion or principle learned

Two Key Words

Explanation - explaining/shedding light on the verse

Principles - pointing out main concepts, more than just specific challenges

Advantages of Expository Preaching

For (you) the preacher:

It keeps you sharp on the Bible It gives you greater confidence in using the Bible as the true authority It makes sermon preparation more interesting It gives more emphasis on the Bible than the preacher You can teach more with less verses; sermons become shorter but “meatier” The background research gives you more material to preach with

For the audience:

It makes the sermon more interestingIt increases appreciation for God’s word & encourages people to study the BibleIt disarms the audience; less feel of coercionIt equips people with solid principles than they can apply when they are aloneIt creates at atmosphere of deeper study & multiplies preachers

Advantages of Expository Preaching

Elements of Expository Preaching

“The Central Idea of Text” (CIT) is a simple declarative sentence, written in the past tense, which says what the text meant back then.

Elements of Expository Preaching

“The Major Objective of the Text” (MOT) is a broad description of the primary purpose or intent of the text. In expository preaching, it is common to use one launching passage for the rest of the sermon.

Elements of Expository Preaching

“The Major Objective of the Sermon” (MOS) is a statement of what the preacher hopes to accomplish with this one message, for this one congregation. It should be a short simple sentence.

Research Point of View

The focal point of most worship services is the sermon…

Highly effective churches have pioneered ways of maximizing the impact of the sermon…

Research Point of View

The first lesson from the highly effective churches is that people have to be taught how to hear truth. The first step in this process is often challenging people’s views of Scripture…

Dr. George BarnaHabits of Highly Effective Churches

BiblicalText/s

Central Idea of Text/s (CIT)

Main objective of Text/s (MOT)

Main objective of Sermon (MOS)

WRITING THE SERMONTheme: Based on my MOS, what do I want to preach on? What is my launching idea?Title: How will I name this sermon?Introduction and Conclusion: How will I start and end?Body (Points/sub-points) : How will I develop my theme?

Polishing & Practicing

How to make the text apply

Biblical Text

Content of the passage

Context of the passage

General Relevance for

today

Key concept or principle

Specific Application

SermonText

Results of conventional preaching

Personal ExperiencesMarriage/Family Dynamic, World News/Secular Input, Church Needs, etc.)Biblical Study

SERMON

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X

T

F

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K

Results of expository preaching

Personal Experiences

SERMONBiblical Study

T

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X

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Results...

1. Atmosphere of learning2. Less Scripture abuse3. Conviction of responsibility4. Practice of self-confrontation

Pointers for leaders & preachers

1. Always study context

• Read a passage slowly• Ask questions: what, who, why, how• Keep a Bible dictionary handy• Try to explain the context in a short sentence

Pointers for leaders & preachers

2. Develop a Berean atmosphere

• Have themes & goals• Lift up those who show interest• Give “HW” during preaching• Feed them new things

More Pointers3. Highlight the text when preaching/discipling

• Expect people to read with you• Wait for people to turn• Read with power & conviction• Express personal interest• Try out different versions

More Pointers

4. Expect a response

• Ask people what they think about the text, not about what you said• Focus on how they respond to the Bible, not to your challenges• Mention things from last message/s

INTRODUCTION TOEXPOSITORY PREACHING

Class Outline

DefinitionsFoundationsCharacteristicsMethodsPointers