Expository Preaching: Course Programme

(Langham Seminars adapted)

Introduction:
The Case for Expository Preaching*
Comparison with other forms of preaching: What it is NOT…
Why it is needed…
What it does BEST…
1st Lecture
Understanding the Bible
Its Dual Authorship
1. The Bible as the Word of God:
Its Inspiration – Truth – Unity – Clarity – Authority
2. Scripture as Words of Human Beings: the importance of:
A. Contexts: how the text was formed and why
Literary:
Narrative: History – Story – Gospel – Parable
Law Prophecy Wisdom Apocalyptic
Poetry: Psalm / Hymn – Lyric – Saga
Letter: Exposition – Exhortation – News / Greetings
Background: Historical – Cultural - Social
Editorial: Author – Situation – Construction – Emphasis
B. Exegesis: what the text says
Natural sense – paragraphs – sentences – words – imagery

Scripture Expounded – 1st Example:

Nehemiah
2nd Lecture
Sermon Construction
1. Bridging the Culture Gap
Communication Gap
2. Crafting the Sermon
3rd Lecture
The Preacher’s Integrity*
WORKSHOPS
on the Text
1. Studying a Passage (Analysis* and Exegesis)
2. Working on a Sermon Outline (Exposition)
Scripture Expounded – 2nd Example:
Psalm 22
4th Lecture
Taking the Bible as a Whole
5th Lecture
Planning your Preaching
* Additional or Alternative Material
 Langham Preaching Seminar • What is the main point that the author was trying to make to the
(modified for local use) original hearers / readers in this passage? What is the ‘heartbeat’ of
this text? (Try to summarise it in a single complete sentence.)
Personal Study and Group Workshops
for Groups of 6 plus Facilitator GROUP WORKSHOP
Passages for personal study, and group exegesis and exposition: Goal: To outline an agreed exposition of a given passage
Exodus 19:1-6; 1 Peter 2:9-12; Deuteronomy 4:32-40; Requirements: A1 size sheets of paper and thick markers
Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 96; Acts 4:1-22 Each group should appoint a time-keeper to monitor progress in covering the ground
and keep the group ‘on track’.

PERSONAL STUDY
Goal: To prepare an exegesis of a given passage Stage One
Requirements: Study Bible, Bible Dictionary Exegesis
Type / write out neatly the whole passage, clause by clause, indenting (30 mins)
phrases to show the structure and the relationship of the various parts.

Example 1. Share with the group, and discuss, the observations made in your
1 Peter 2:9 …. personal study in answer to the questions above. Agree the
following:
But you are not like that,
for you are a chosen people. (10 mins max!) The passage’s
You are a kingdom of priests, • Genre,
God’s holy nation,
his very own possession.
• Author,
This is so you can show others the goodness of God, • Context,
for he called you out of darkness • Situation.
into his wonderful light…. (-NLT) (Don’t spend too much time on these background issues.)
Questions to ask yourself : (10 mins) Try and reach a consensus about the Subject
(NB: Write down your answers to take to your Group.) and the Outline.
The latter should help to identify:
• What kind of writing is this? (i.e. its genre)
• What is the context of this passage (before and after it)? (10 mins) The central thrust, or main point, of the text.
• How does that help me understand what it is about? Be specific – no vague generalisations!
• What was the situation of the original author and listeners
(readers)? 2. Write your group’s agreed outline
• What is the passage talking about, or describing? (i.e. its subject) and central point
• Is there a flow of thought, or argument? What is it? on a large sheet of paper.
• Make an outline of the passage, summarising what it says, verse
– 0 –
by verse, or section by section. What is the topic of each section?
Each group can now share their findings
in
 A Plenary Session GROUP WORKSHOP
for discussion and critique Stage Two
Exposition
(60 mins)

1. Agree on:
(5 mins) The kind of congregation (i.e. situation, educational level, etc,)
to which you intend preaching this sermon. List some characteristics.
(5 mins) What will be the main point of this sermon? (This should reflect
the “heart-beat” you agreed as the central point in your exegesis
above, bearing in mind also the situation of the congregation).
2. Discuss possible outlines for your sermon. (15 mins)
• Avoid a ‘lecture’ approach
• Be creative and imaginative.
• Develop a simple structure of headings or points that will faithfully
reflect what the text says.
• Keep these headings short, simple and easy to remember.
3. Apply this message to the situation of your listeners. (15 mins)
• How will you make relevant application of the text to the local
context?
Note: Application should be specific, not general,
contextualised, not universal.
• What local illustrations will you use to make the text live?
4. Check:
(15 mins) As a result of hearing this sermon, what do you want your
listeners
• to know, or to have learnt (with their minds)?
• to feel convicted, assured or challenged about (in their hearts)?
• to determine to do (through their wills)?
(5 mins) Does the effect you want your sermon to have on your listeners
reflect the effect that the author of the Bible text itself
wanted to have on his hearers?
– 0 –

Each group can now present their exposition in

A second Plenary Session.