The primary purpose of this series is to provide helps for preachers and shepherds in teaching the Word of God to the saints, thus taking seriously our responsibility to “feed My sheep” (Jn. 21:15; see 1 Pet. 5:2). In particular, we hope to address the subject of expository preaching.
Defining expository preaching
Expository preaching is not just a verse-by-verse running commentary on the Scripture. Although it includes that, it is significantly more. It involves expounding the text, bringing out its meaning to the original readers, the background surrounding the writing of the passage (if known), and the application and relevance to us today. It also includes comparing scripture with scripture, bringing similar passages to bear on the passage being dealt with. Another aspect is pointing out doctrinal truth wherever it is found.
Why is it so effective?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16) and we are charged to declare “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Expository preaching helps us fulfill this mandate: it eliminates “hobby horses” and “one-stringed fiddle” preaching, while at the same time helping to ensure that the difficult passages of Scripture are not skipped.
Furthermore, it presents the Scriptures in the context in which they were originally given by the Holy Spirit. This method aids people in better understanding the Scriptures because they generally read the Bible in a verse-by-verse manner.
Later on, when reading the same passage in private devotions, expository preaching will certainly help the Bible reader to remember things that had been taught in the public meetings of the assembly.
Lastly, the preacher who adopts this method will never run out of subject matter, and will not spend long hours wondering what to preach on, but instead devote that precious time in studying the text itself.
How can we work it into our local assemblies?
Let it be understood here that I am not suggesting that expository preaching is the only method of teaching God’s Word. I am also a proponent of open platform meetings, conversational Bible readings, and gospel meetings. However, I do believe that New Testament assemblies would be greatly edified by regular and systematic exposition of the Scriptures. Somewhere in our schedule it would be profitable to the saints to have time set aside for the expounding of the Scriptures.
One challenge with implementing this is that we often have different preachers each Lord’s Day. A possible solution is to ask visiting and local preachers to expound on a passage in a prearranged schedule. Not all will appreciate this, but many will be happy to work on the passage, provided they are given sufficient notice. It also can help the saints to prepare themselves for the message by reading ahead. Especially difficult passages should be assigned to those with extra ability in clearly teaching the Scriptures.
Of course this will take planning. Some are reluctant to do this, as they insist that everything is to be Spirit-led, so any kind of planning is viewed as unscriptural. Needless to say, the giving of the Scriptures as books and letters was definitely Spirit-led, and to seek to teach the Scriptures in the same manner in which they were given could hardly be viewed as grieving the Spirit or unscriptural.
Why it is neglected?
Perhaps the primarily reason for neglect is because it is such a lot of work. It can take several hours initially to do the exegesis of a passage of Scripture, and then to put it into a preachable form. Time constraints, and perhaps other priorities, mean that other methods of preaching are an easier option. It is also difficult because we have to deal with complex portions of the Word of God, which may cause the preacher to lose sleep and sweat over the passage in an attempt to unlock truth and grasp its true meaning. It can truly be a case of laboring in the Word and doctrine.