If you want to preach better sermons, the first step is determining which preaching style to choose. Expository Preaching offers many benefits, including higher congregational engagement, direct connections to the Scripture text, demonstration of Scripture study, and life application for congregation members. This guide will lead you through sermon preparation from Scripture and show you how to create Expository Sermons.
Sermon Styles
There are many different sermon styles – expository, exegetical, topical, narrative, historical, prophetic, and more. While each pastor has their own style, some sermon styles may be more helpful if you want to increase congregational engagement.
Expository preaching occurs when a pastor engages in good exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a Scripture passage) to study a passage, then preaches a message explaining the findings of the study applied to our lives today. While Topical Preaching starts with a main point or life application topic, Expository Preaching begins with the Scripture passage and draws topics and lessons from the text.
Exegetical vs. Expository Preaching
Although Exegetical and Expository Preaching are very similar in their literal definitions, many preachers and ministry leaders use them in different contexts. Exegetical preaching commonly refers to a more formal and scholarly tone, while Expository preaching is focused on the presentation and application of those scholarly findings.
To make the difference easier to understand, consider how you might conclude your sermons. If you end with a summary of the scholarly facts about the passage, you’re likely preaching with an Exegetical style. If you present that same scholarly context but then explain how the truths apply to our lives today, that would be an Expository preaching style.
Expository Preaching for Congregational Engagement
If you’re trying to engage your congregation, Expository Preaching could be a beneficial style to try. Your topics will all originate in the text itself, giving sermons more variety and keeping people’s attention. However, the sermons won’t just end in scholarly explanations of the text – they’ll apply that text to our lives today, helping people walk away with practical application steps.
Expository preaching helps with congregational engagement because your content comes straight from God’s Word. People listening won’t wonder if this is just your opinion or an inspirational speech. As you preach directly from Scripture, your congregation will hear the power and truth that comes directly from God’s Word. The Bible is living and active and can convict, instruct, and heal those listening.
Another benefit of Expository Preaching is that it teaches your congregation how to understand God’s Word for themselves. As you unpack your sermon text, explain how you conducted your study and exegesis of your passage. Then explain life application points found in the passage. This demonstration of Scripture study (and the conclusions and applications you present) will model Scripture study for your congregation members, showing them how to engage with God’s Word themselves.
How to Create an Expository Sermon
Now that we’ve covered the differences between Expository and Exegetical preaching, let’s discuss how to create Expository sermons. This type of sermon preparation comes directly from Scripture, so Scripture is where we’ll begin.
Researching and Choosing the Right Passage
The first step in Expository Preaching is researching and choosing the right passage to preach from. In this preaching style, your main points will originate from the text itself – rather than using the main points as the starting point.
As you choose a passage for your sermon series, consider your congregation’s felt needs and seasonal needs. Take into account what’s going on in the world around you and which book or chapters of Scripture might apply. Also consider your overall preaching plan (because an Expository sermon generally falls within a larger preaching plan) and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You may choose to preach through a portion of Scripture, an entire book, or even multiple smaller books over the course of an Expository series.
Understanding Historical Context
After you’ve chosen your passage, dive into exegesis. Spend time exploring the historical context of the passage, what God was doing in the world at the time it was written, the Hebrew or Greek meanings of words in the passage, and theologically strong commentaries on the passage. Don’t jump right to the application – study the text in depth and allow your findings to guide the direction and structure of your sermon points.
True, transformational Expository Preaching takes place when the preacher has been transformed personally by the text. Don’t rush your study and preparation process – spend time meditating on, studying, diving deep into, and being transformed by the passage you’re preaching on. Allow the text to transform you before you preach it to others.
Sermon Preparation From Scripture
Now that you’ve chosen a passage, dug deep into the context and historical meaning, and let the passage transform your own life, prepare application points to help others learn from your exegesis. Here are some questions to ask as you practice sermon preparation from Scripture:
- What does this passage say about God, and how does that change the way we live?
- What does this passage say about man, and how does that refine us?
- In what ways is the original audience like the church today, and in what ways are they different? How do these similarities and differences influence our application?
- What lesson was God teaching the original audience and how does that apply to us today?
- How has this passage changed me, and how might I share that with my congregation?
- What main points or verses is God highlighting to me as I study this passage?
Consider the passage from multiple perspectives. Live with it for days or even weeks as you prepare, allowing it to deeply impact your heart and mind. Focus on who God is, as revealed to you in the passage, and observe how that changes your thoughts and actions. Preparing a sermon from Scripture includes more than just exegesis of the sermon – it involves teaching that exegesis in a way that applies to people’s lives and transforms the way they live. This is how you create and present an Expository Sermon to your congregation.