Sometimes people think of Expository Preaching as preaching from the Word of God that is “boring” because it is so heavily based upon the Word of God. I disagree. I think there is a difference between exegetical data dumping and expository preaching.
What is something helpful and practical that can help those teaching the Word of God not end up just go on like a run-on vocal Bible commentary?
Dr. Richard Bargas has written a good post titled “Help For New Expositors: The Four P’s of a Balanced Sermon.”
Every time I prepare sermon for Sundays after all my studies with the original language I feel the other half of sermon prep has just begun: structuring the sermon based upon these four Ps. And structuring the sermon upon the backbone of the four Ps take as much work as the exegetical study if one do it well for the consideration of the hearers. And its worth the effort if preachers and teachers love the people they are preaching to!
For example of this in my preaching and teaching outline you check out the following outline series in the past on our blog:
Exposition of Jonah Series Table of Content
7 Truths about God’s Creation of Man and Woman from Genesis 1: Table of Contents
The Lord is My Shepherd (This is a good example if you are looking for something that is seen all in “one shot”)
May this help those who teach and preach God’s Word! If you hunger more to learn how the teaching process work check out also “How to Teach the Bible: Two Part Audio Messages.”
The Domain for Truth 
Thanks for this post…will flag Jonah to read thru when I have more time. 🙂 Blessings today!
You’re welcome and thanks for flagging them to read later! God bless you!
When I did pulpit fill, then when I took my current church, so far the overwhelming response to expository preaching is that people actually feel fed after a sermon. I keep hearing people say “I learned something!” If someone associates “boring” with expository, then they have an improper association.
Thanks for sharing that! True Expository Preaching is hard work! But it is so rewarding to hear God’s people say “I learned something!” and the other one that I am bless to hear is “That was good, and it was really from God’s Word!” Again thanks for sharing that brother, God bless you as you preach to God’s People!
Thanks for all the info! I printed out a copy of the 4 Ps. This is helpful even for non-pastors. When my wife and I study the Bible together, I think I need to do a better job of finding the main point(s) of the chapter and pulling in some illustrations and personal applications.
Glad to hear that. I think this is helpful for everyone that teaches. Also with my church I also tell our people from time to time when I preach that there is always a skeleton to the message, that there’s always a point, a passage, a proof, picture and practical applications so that it is easier from them to track where the message is going so they can be helped in better understand the Word and the implication from God’s Word. I’ve had listeners tell me that is very helpful.
Thanks! Sometimes I catch myself reading through the Word in a perfunctory fashion especially if there’s a lot of detail – names and places – so it’s helpful to keep the “Ps” in mind.
Thank you for sharing Dr. Bargas’ post. J.
You’re welcome! Hope you are doing well J
This is excellent, I believe I can adapt the 4 P’s to my personal Bible study.
Thank you !
Wow praise God, glad to hear that Crissy! Blessings to you down under!
Blessings to you too pastor Jim all the way from down under !
I am having trouble finding any examples of expository preaching in the bible.
The question is not how scripture is taught but rather how much is caught and retained. I attended an excellent expository preaching church. The associate pastor also taught an adult bible class. One particular night he passed out a written true/false test. The topic was justification. Half way through the 20 questions the light bulb clicked on in my head. I had marked every question as being false. Every question was in regards to faith plus works. The questions were deceptively well written. Around 30 long time members of this church took the test. Only 2 marked every question as being false. If expository preaching is so wonderful then please explain why justification by faith alone had not been caught and fully understood and deeply held by the majority of members.
Educators agree that the lecture method is the least effective method of teaching. Within 5 days of hearing a sermon 90% has been forgotten. Why spend all those hours to give a 4 P lecture only to have it all forgotten by the following Sunday. You would benefit your flock far better by inculcating the 5 solas into their heads. Teach it and test it. Make them stand and deliver. When it comes to teaching/preaching Ephesians 4 is your singular prime directive. I will bet that the vast majority of preachers would be scared to death to hand out a similar written test. Their ability to answer correctly will expose for all to see if you are a good or a lousy teacher.
I do think few churches engage in faithful biblical exposition of the passage they are looking at; my personal experience is that churches that do expository preaching often have members that are more aware of what the Bible actually teaches including the Gospel and justification versus churches that’s regular diet is a staple of topic preaching. I’m not against topical preaching and also I see the importance of the role of classes with tools such as quiz, questions and discussion. Good post T.I. Miller, I plan to write more about preaching maybe in the near future on this blog. Thanks brother as usual for reading and sharing your thoughts!
the common theme of the prophets of old was to warn and to rebuke all who had gone astray from the truth. This remains the main mission of the shepherd/leaders of every church. How many are spending so much energy over sermons they are unaware that they have termites in the woodwork? Back to my previous remarks about a test. How many of the flock could accurately explain and defend the faith, Titus 1:9? How many could explain why so very many of the most popular books for Christians are straight from the pit? How many are aware of the dangerous heretical movements that are common place in almost every seminary? How many are aware that the missional/social justice movement is a false gospel? How many are well informed about just how anti-biblical contemplative spiritual formation is. What do they know about the emergent movement and its roots? How many know what the real purpose is behind the purpose driven church is? How many have really been forced to examine themselves to see if they are cultural Christians or genuine Christians.
I have done short stints singing in front of the congregation and leading bible studies and teaching over the radio. They all have built in inherent danger. ADULATION from others which always all to easily can serve to grow our egos. Examine yourself, are you only feeding the flock or putting on a performance?
Jesus rebuked the Sanhedrin for replacing the laws of God with the traditions of men. Can you find specific instructions from the epistles for your versions of a church service? Biblical church planting started with converting the lost not luring the already saved.