This document discusses preparation for preaching. It begins with defining key terms related to biblical interpretation: exegesis is determining the meaning of individual passages, hermeneutics is the principles of interpretation, exposition is opening up the meaning of the text, and homiletics is how the message is communicated through preaching. Effective preaching requires thorough preparation, including studying the text, understanding the audience, and ensuring one's own heart is ready. The preacher must ask questions about the purpose of the sermon and choose an appropriate biblical passage to address the congregation's needs. Throughout, the preacher listens to God, the congregation, and evaluates their own abilities in order to faithfully deliver God's message.

1. Kerry Christian Ministries institute
Christian education certificate course
COURSE MODULE
Preaching 2015

2. Session One
Preaching
Terms EHEH
Personal Preparation

3. PREACHING
“ ‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord
GOD, ‘When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But
rather for hearing the words of the LORD’ ”
(Amos 8:11).

4. • According to Kyle Haselden, the pastor comes
across as a “bland composite” of the
congregation’s “congenial, ever helpful, ever
ready to help boy scout; as the darling of the old
ladies and as sufficiently reserved with the young
ones; as the father image for the young people
and a companion to lonely men; as the affable
glad-hander at teas and civic club luncheons.”
Robinson, Haddon W. (2001-06-01). Biblical
Preaching: The Development and Delivery of
Expository Messages (Kindle Locations 178-180).
Baker Academic. Kindle Edition.

5. Mandates to preach
• Matt. 28:19–20—“Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age.”
• 1 Tim. 4:13—“Until I come, give attention to the public
reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”
• 2 Tim. 2:2—“And the things which you have heard
from me in the presence of many witnesses, these
entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach
others also.”

6. Mandates to preach
• 2 Tim. 4:2—“Preach the word; be ready in
season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
• Titus 2:1—“But as for you, speak the things
which are fitting for sound doctrine.”

7. 2 Tim. 4:1–4:
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead,
and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the
word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For
the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they
will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance
to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from
the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

8. • As professional skills go, sermon construction
ranks among the most inexact when
compared, say, with cooking spaghetti,
removing an appendix, or flying an airplane.

9. Session One
Preaching
Terms E.H.E.H
Personal Preparation

10. E .H. E. H
A definition of relevant terms (McGrath
‘Christian Literature’):
• Exegesis
• Hermeneutics
• Exposition
• Homiletics

11. Exegesis
• The science of textual interpretation, usually
referring specifically to the Bible. The term
‘biblical exegesis’ basically means ‘the process of
interpreting the text of the Bible’.
• Exegesis is limited to a determination of the
meanings of individual statements and passages
in the Bible.
• Exegesis is called ‘the science of interpretation’ or
‘the application of the laws of interpretational’.

12. Exegesis - Task
• The task of the exegete is to attempt to look
into the mind of the author in order to
determine what he meant when he made
certain statements to certain people.
• The exegete uses tools, a method and applies
presuppositions to the task of interpreting the
scriptures.

13. Hermeneutics
• (Hermes, messenger of the gods & god of
science)
• The principles and assumptions underlying the
interpretation, or exegesis, of a text of
scripture, particularly in relation to its present
day application.

14. Hermeneutics.
The interpretative task.
“Christians have long regarded biblical
hermeneutics as the set of rules or the method
by which the truth in a text can be made plain.
Secular hermeneutics, on the other hand,
increasingly seems to challenge the reality and
objectivity of that very truth that hermeneutics
once was supposed to illuminate.”

16. • "Dear mum, thank
you for the socks
you sent. It's very
cold here. I miss
everyone at home.
How is the dog?“
• From Hadrian's
Wall, 2nd Century

17. One sentence different meanings
•I never said she broke
my computer.
•I'm having a friend for
lunch.

18. Hermeneutics takes into consideration
• The type of literature. Prose or poetry, history
or allegory, literal or symbolic.
• The historical background and life setting.
• The geographical conditions. The influence of
terrain and climate on a population’s outlook
and behaviour patterns.
• Language(s) of the bible.

19. Hermeneutics takes into consideration
• The difference between the primary and
secondary applications of any portion of
Scripture. - A primary application is made
when a given Scripture is recognized as
pertaining to those to whom it is addressed. A
secondary application is made when a given
Scripture is recognized as not applying directly
to a certain person or class of persons, but its
moral and spiritual teachings are appropriated
by them.

20. Hermeneutics takes into consideration
• A fundamental principle in grammatical-
historical exposition is that the words and
sentences can have but one significance in
one and the same connection. The moment
we neglect this principle we drift out upon a
sea of uncertainty and conjecture. (Milton S.
Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics , 2nd ed. (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, n.d.) 205.

21. Hermeneutics governed by
• The clear teaching of dispensational truth.
• The difference between Israel and the church.
• The transitional nature of the Gospels and
Acts.
• An understanding of the importance of
prophecy and nature of apostleship
• The Big Picture of the bible.

22. Hermeneutics– the purpose
• To enable the interpreter to understand what
the Scriptures meant to the original recipients,
in their situation, at that particular historical
time.
• So that the message can be expounded to the
modern day hearers to guide them, to enrich
their spiritual lives, to enable them to carry
out God’s will more effectively.

23. • 1Pe 1:10-16 Concerning this salvation, the prophets
who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person
or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when
he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the
subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they
were serving not themselves but you, in the things that
have now been announced to you through those who
preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent
from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being
sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that
will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
passions of your former ignorance, but as he who
called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

24. • 2Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a worker
who has no need to be ashamed, rightly
handling the word of truth.

25. • Expositors who claim they follow no rules
usually have not analysed how they study.
Whatever we do regularly becomes our
method even if we have come to it intuitively,
and few effective expositors are as devoid of
method as they sometimes claim. Robinson,
Haddon W.

26. Exegesis – Hermeneutics
What’s the difference?
D A Carson: “exegesis is concerned with actually
interpreting the text, whereas hermeneutics is concerned
with the nature of the interpretative process. Exegesis
concludes by saying, “This passage means such and
such”; hermeneutics ends by saying, “This interpretative
process is constituted by the following techniques and
pre-understandings”.
The two are obviously related. But although
hermeneutics is an important discipline in its own right,
ideally it is never an end in itself: it serves exegesis.
(Exegetical Fallacies p.25)

28. EHEH
Exposition
(set forth in detail, explain, interpret)
Has to do with opening up and holding up the
meaning of the text.
Homiletics
The study of the vehicle by which the message is
communicated – preaching.

29. I believe that an engagement with hermeneutics
places greater demands upon us with regard to the
need for integrity of thought and conviction in our
preaching. It forces us to acknowledge the
presuppositions and prejudice we carry, the
religious and cultural traditions in which we stand,
and the limitations of our certainties. All of this, in
my opinion, is good for the cause of the gospel for it
creates authenticity and leaves room for the Spirit
of God to do his work. _ David McMillan

30. Why appreciation of hermeneutics is important
1.There has never been a period when writing, speaking and
interpreting has not been influenced by the prevailing culture
2.There is a constancy of approach to scripture as knowable
and authoritative throughout the changes of culture
3.There is a constancy of tradition and doctrine that is hugely
important throughout the changing cultural landscapes
4.There is much to humble and caution the interpreter

31. How do we approach the hermeneutic
task?
Hermeneutical task is to ask:
1. What it meant - exegesis
2. What it means for me - devotional
3. What it means for us - sermonic
Sound evangelical hermeneutic takes all three.
To ignore 1. = subjectivity
To ignore 2. = purpose of scripture – revelation and
encounter
To ignore 3. = remove imperative of proclamation of the
good news – individualism.

32. Homiletics
(Gr. homiletikos, from homilos, to assemble together)
In theology the application of the general principles of
rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching.
It may be further defined as the science that treats of the
analysis, classification, preparation, composition and
delivery of sermons.
The sermon is not merely a mechanical device for
communicating information but a construction that
invites a listening, engages the imagination and aids the
process of hearing and responding.

33. Questions I need to ask myself as come to the
biblical text:
Am I being fair to the text?
Am I being fair to the author?
Am I being fair to the hearers?
Am I being fair to this passage in its place within
the whole text?
Am I being faithful to the message – not of the
sub text but the canonical text?

34. The Bridge Hermeneutics and
Homiletics
• Move from the then to the now.
What does God want us to know now?
What does God want us to do now?
• What is my main point for now.
What am I talking about?
What am I saying about my main point?

35. The Bridge Hermeneutics and
Homiletics
• Study the text– Observation and
Interpretation
• Structure the Scriptures – Find the thread, the
main idea, analyse the argument(s), outline
the text.
• The Main Idea
Theme - What is the author talking about?
Complement – What is being said about the
theme?

36. The Bridge Hermeneutics and
Homiletics
• Structure the message
Outline the message, tie the points together
around the main point and the text, ensure
application is focussed.
• Preach/Teach the Scriptures
Introduction, body, main points, transition
statements, illustration, conclusion.

37. Session One
Preaching
Terms E.H.E.H
Personal Preparation

38. Why should they listen to me?
• To stand and drone out a sermon in a kind of
articulate snoring to people who are
somewhat between awake and asleep must be
wretched work. - CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

39. Every time I stand up to speak, my listeners ask
one foundational question: Why should I listen
to you? And within this question are three sub-
questions:
• Can I trust you?
• Do you care for me?
• Do you know what you are talking about?
- Berkley, J. D. 1986. Preaching to convince. "A
Leadership/Word book

40. Preparation
Powerful preaching always begins with proper
preparation. The man of God cannot expect to rightly
interpret the text or passionately expound the truth
without first preparing his own heart and mind for
the task. This preparation involves at least six areas of
consideration:

41. Preparation
• The Preacher – Am I ready to preach?
• The Purpose – Why am I preaching?
• The Paradigm – What type of sermon will I be
preaching?
• The People – To whom am I preaching?
• The Potential – What are the potential results
of my message?
• The Passage – What text am I going to preach?

42. Five basic questions
• Who is my audience (age, sex, background,
prejudices)?
• What are their questions (thoughts, feelings,
struggles, pains, needs)?
• Which of those questions shall I address?
• Fourth, what is God’s answer to this question?
• How much time do I have?

43. Preparation
• God’s word must prepare the preacher.
• God presence must empower the preacher.
• God’s blessing must be sought by the preacher

44. A challenge to preachers

45. Responsibility and accountability
• But what about me as the purveyor of God’s truth, the
physician of the soul? Shall I not be held responsible to
God for any perversion of truth, however witless, and
for my negligence and lack of skill? What earthly
regulatory association validates me? Do not I, who
preach God’s Word, face a higher court than the legal
bar or any medical tribunal? James said, “Let not many
of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as
such we shall incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).
MacArthur, J. (1997, c1992). Rediscovering expository
preaching (0). Dallas: Word Pub.

46. WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A PREACHER?
WHAT IS YOUR MAIN GOAL IN PREACHING?

47. ‘Listen’ to the congregation
• When the zenith of a preacher’s ethos is solely the
development and delivery of the sermon and that
ethos ignores the listening and learning preferences of
the audience, then those values and goals need to be
re-examined.
• William Ward Ayer stated ‘Preaching is not an end in
itself, though there is a tendency in the modern
ministry, at least the more cultured clerical set, to
make the message a sort of literary masterpiece,
ornate with flowery passages, bolstered with poetry
and stilted classic illustrations.’ (Ayer 1967, p. 3)

48. ‘Listen’ to yourself
• Do you have an ethos for preaching or
teaching?
• Understand your personal prejudices, pet
subjects, criticize and evaluate your method
and your application.
• Personality differences. Martin Lloyd Jones
speaks about the ‘whole person’ being
involved in preaching. (Lloyd-Jones 1971, p.
53)

49. Listening …
• To changing trends
• Listening as a pastor/shepherd. Harold Brack
wrote ‘Preachers have been preoccupied with
schemes of being listened to and not with ways
of becoming better listeners.’ (Brack 1983, p. 86).
• To be relevant the preacher must discover the
congregation’s spiritual maturity, their capacity
for growth and the areas that hinder growth.

50. Listening …
• To God. Montoya says ‘The secret to powerful
preaching lies with God, not man. Skill alone does
not make a preacher; God makes the preacher’
(Montoya 2000, p. 21).
• Bring the task of preaching before the throne of
God in prayer for the grace needed to preach His
Word remembering that it is God who causes
growth, gives the increase and keeps watch over
His Word (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Jeremiah 1:2).

51. Choosing a passage to preach
• A conscientious ministry in the Scriptures
depends on thoughtful planning for the entire
year.
• Not every Scripture possesses equal profit for
a congregation at a particular time.
• Be as familiar with the needs of your church as
they with the content of the Bibles.

52. Choosing a passage to preach
• Understand the genre. For example working
within a narrative (story) section we will more
likely preach/teach a literary unit larger than a
paragraph or two.
• Read through a book several times and then
divide them it portions that can be preached
in particular sermons.

53. Break Here
• Come back and look at a passage and then
practically work through it
• Outline the passage
• What are the main teaching points, concepts
in the book, passage and text
• Devise the preaching/teaching material.

54. Practical Session
- Philemon

55. Background
• Author, date, place of writing
• Circumstances
• Characters in the book. Who are they, what do
they do, what is their importance to the book,
how do they relate?
• Church? Who are they? What do we learn
about them

56. Content
• What are the main concern(s) of the author?
• What style of writing?
• Are there theological and doctrinal issues?
• Anything about Christ?

57. Content
• Look for repeated words, phrases, a theme of
idea(s).
• When does the thought pattern change, when
does the author change subject(s)
• Are there words/ideas/phrases you don’t
understand?

58. Intent
• What are the problems the author is
addressing?
• How does the author tackle the problem?
• What are the problems, solutions, concepts
that you intend addressing?
• What are the intended aims, goals of your
sermon?

59. • G. Campbell Morgan once wrote in his diary
this report of a message he listened to: “Heard
a capital sermon with which I did not at all
agree, on a text which had no relation to the
subject.” Even in Morgan’s day, a text without
a context was still a pretext! Wiersbe, W. W.,
& Wiersbe, D. 1986. The elements of
preaching : The art of biblical preaching
clearly and simply presented. Tyndale House
Publishers: Wheaton, Ill.

60. So what?
• Ask yourself. What difference will it make in
anybody’s life if this sermon is preached?
• If your response is neutral, go back to the
drawing board.
• Are you preaching because you have to say
something, or because you have something to
say?

61. Session Two
The Topical Sermon
The Textual Sermon
The Expository Sermon

62. 1. The Topical Sermon
• It begins with a topic or theme.
• The sermon flows from the topic.
• It does not require a text.
• It will still be biblical.
• The verses are drawn from across various
portions of the bible.
Definition: A topical sermon is one in
which the main divisions are derived from
the topic, independently of a text.

63. 1. The Topical Sermon –
Important aspects
• Unity of thought.
- the sermon contains one central idea.
- though there are many other areas worthy of
preaching on that concern prayer, the sermon is
limited to the one idea of the topic, reasons for
unanswered prayer.
• Kinds of topics.
- the bible contains an inexhaustible storehouse
of topics for every occasion and situation.

64. 1. The Topical Sermon –
Important aspects
• Choosing a topic.
Seek the Leading of the Lord, spend time in
prayer and God’s Word.
• The topic could be decided by a special
occasion, theme from a text or a specific need
of a congregation.

65. Basic Principles for preparing topical
outlines.
• The main divisions should be logical or
chronological. Eg The believers Hope (logical)
i. A living hope- 1 Peter1:3
ii. A saving hope – 1 Thess 5:8
iii. A sure Hope – Heb 6:9
iv. A good hope – 2 Thess 2:16
v. An unseen hope – Romans 8:24
vi. A blessed Hope – Titus 2:13
vii. An eternal hope – Titus 3:7

66. Basic Principles for preparing topical
outlines.
• The main divisions should be logical or
chronological.
Eg. Vital Truths about Jesus (chronological)
i. He is God manifest in the Flesh – Mat 1:23
ii. He is the Saviour of men- 1 Timothy 1:15
iii. He is the coming King Revelation 11:15

67. Basic Principles for preparing topical
outlines.
• The main divisions may be an analysis of a
topic.
Eg: Satan our Archenemy
Main Facts about Satan in the bible
i. His origin. Ezekiel 28:12-17
ii. His fall. Isaiah 14:12-15
iii. His power. Ephesians 6:11-12;Luke 11:14-18
iv. His activity. 2 Corinthians 4:4, Luke 8:12
v. His destiny. Matthew 25:41.

68. Basic Principles for preparing topical
outlines.
• The main divisions may proof of a topic.
Values of knowing God’s Word.
• The main divisions might a subject compared or
contrasted.
Comparing the testimony of the believer with salt.
• The main divisions might be centred on a phrase
like ‘he is able’
• The main divisions might be a word study.
Honour, fear, faith etc.

69. Basic Principles for preparing topical
outlines.
• The main divisions should not be
substantiated by texts taken out of context.
• Doctrinal sermons are good examples of
topical sermons

70. Example of a topical sermon
• Topic: Reasons for unanswered prayer.
James 4:3- Asking Incorrectly
Psalms 66:18 – Sin in our hearts
James 1:6-7 - Doubting God’s Word
Matthew 6:7 – Babbling, vain repetition
Proverbs 28:9 – Disobeying God’s Word
1 Peter 3:7- Mistreating your spouse
• Use a good reference bible, concordance, topical
bible.
• E-sword word search in bible.

71. Practical
Prepare a topical sermon on
Grace

72. Grace Defined
• God’s favor Gen. 6:8
• God’s forgiving mercy Rom. 11:6
• Grace is love demonstrated by giving; in the
gospel, grace is unmerited divine favour,
arising in the mind of God and bestowed on
his people. It is often considered with regard
to its beneficial effects Freedman, D. N. (1996,
c1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (2:1086).
New York: Doubleday.

73. Grace Defined
• In other words, grace is to be understood in
terms of a dynamic expression of the divine
personality rather than as a static attribute of God’s
nature. Grace is the dimension of divine activity
that enables God to confront human indifference
and rebellion with an inexhaustible capacity to
forgive and to bless. God is gracious in action.
Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Baker
encyclopedia of the Bible. Map on lining papers.
(898). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.

74. Grace Defined
• GRACE — favor or kindness shown without regard to
the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite
of what that person deserves. Grace is one of the key
attributes of God. The Lord God is “merciful and gracious,
long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Ex.
34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with
mercy, love, compassion, and patience. Youngblood, R. F.,
Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers.
(1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed.
of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index.
Nashville: T. Nelson.

75. Grace in Salvation
• Rom_3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Eph_1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph_2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Tit_3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
1Pe_1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling
of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be
multiplied.
Rom_5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom_1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.

76. Power/Strength/ Service/Equipping
• Rom_12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given
to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of
faith;
2Co_8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance,
and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye
abound in this grace also.
2Co_9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co_12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1Pe_5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you.
2Pe_3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2Ti_2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus.
Heb_12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,
let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear:

77. Growth/Holiness/Humility
• Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given
unto me, to every man that is among you, not
to think of himself more highly than he ought
to think; but to think soberly, according as
God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith. ~
Jas_4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore
he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble.

78. Grace
• Is the source of
• a. Election. Ro 11:5.
• b. The call of God. Ga 1:15.
• c. Justification. Ro 3:24; Tit 3:7.
• d. Faith. Ac 18:27.
• e. Forgiveness of sins. Eph 1:7.
• f. Salvation. Ac 15:11; Eph 2:5,8.
• g. Consolation. 2Th 2:16.
• h. Hope. 2Th 2:16.

79. As a church we must remember that
God’s Grace is
• Is described as
• a. Great. Ac 4:33.
• b. Sovereign. Ro 5:21.
• c. Rich. Eph 1:7; 2:7.
• d. Exceeding. 2Co 9:14.
• e. Manifold. 1Pe 4:10.
• f. All-sufficient. 2Co 12:9.
• g. All-abundant. Ro 5:15,17,20.
• h. Glorious. Eph 1:6.

80. Grace in the lives of the church
• a. Are heirs of. 1Pe 3:7.
• b. Are under. Ro 6:14.
• c. Receive, from Christ. Joh 1:16.
• d. Are what they are by. 1Co 15:10; 2Co 1:12.
• e. Abound in gifts of. Ac 4:33; 2Co 8:1; 9:8,14.
• f. Should be established in. Hebrews 13:9.
• g. Should be strong in. 2Ti 2:1.
• h. Should grow in. 2Pe 3:18.
• i. Should speak with. Eph 4:29; Col 4:6.
• J. Pray for For yourselves. Heb 4:16. and for others.
2Co 13:14; Eph 6:24.

81. Grace and Believers:
• Are under Rom. 6:14
• Receive John 1:16
• Stand in Rom. 5:2
• Abound in 2 Cor. 9:8
• Be strong in 2 Tim. 2:1
• Grow in 2 Pet. 3:18
• Speak with Eph. 4:29
• Inherit 1 Pet. 3:7
• Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's quick
reference topical Bible index. Nelson's Quick reference
(262). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

82. Session Two
The Topical Sermon
The Textual Sermon
The Expository Sermon

83. Definition
• A textual sermon is one in which the main
divisions are derived from a text consisting of
a brief portion of Scripture. Each of these
divisions are then used as a line of
suggestion, and the text provides the theme
for the sermon.
• In contrast with the topical sermon we begin
with a text not a topic.

84. Examples
• Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study
the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach
his statutes and rules in Israel.
The text centres on Ezra’s heart. We draw the
following divisions that His heart was set on:
a. Knowing the Word of God
b. Obeying the Word of God
c. Teaching the Word of Gd.

85. Preparation of Textual Sermon.
• It should be centred around one main thought and from
one main text. Romans 12:1
• It may consist of truths suggested by the text. John 20:19-
20
• Though there may be more than one theme in the text only
one subject must be chosen. John 3:16
• Divisions should be in logical or chronological order. John
3:36
• The words of the text may form the outline. Luke 19:10
• Context must be observed and related to the text.
• Texts that contain contrast and similarities are treated best
when they are pointed out. Psalm 1

86. Examples
• Series of sermons
God’s best kept secrets
Seven last words from the cross
Common ills of humanity
The claims of Christ ( I Am’s)

87. Homework
• Prepare a textual sermon from 1 Thess. 2:8.
Give the title, subject and main divisions.
After each division write the portion of Scripture which
supports the main division.
• Find a suitable text for a sermon for
a. Fathers Day
b. A Funeral service
c. An wedding service
d. A young peoples meeting
Give the title, subject and main divisions.
After each division write the portion of Scripture which
supports the main division.

88. Session Two
The Topical Sermon
The Textual Sermon
The Expository Sermon

89. The spirit of expository preaching
• And they read from the book, from the law of
God, translating to give the sense so that they
understood the reading. (Neh. 8:8)
• Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am
innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not
shrink from declaring to you the whole
purpose of God. (Acts 20:26–27)

90. Definition
• An expository sermon is one in which a more
or less extended portion of Scripture is
interpreted in relation to one theme or
subject. The bulk of the material for the
sermon is drawn directly from the passage
and the outline consists of a series of
progressive ideas centred around that one
idea.

91. Definition
• At its best, expository preaching is “the
presentation of biblical truth, derived from
and transmitted through a historical,
grammatical, Spirit-guided study of a passage
in its context, which the Holy Spirit applies
first to the life of the preacher and then
through him to his congregation.”

92. Definition
• In summary, the following minimal elements
identify expository preaching:
1. The message finds its sole source in Scripture.
2. The message is extracted from Scripture
through careful exegesis.
3. The message preparation correctly interprets
Scripture in its normal sense and its context.
4. The message clearly explains the original God-
intended meaning of Scripture.
5. The message applies the Scriptural meaning for
today.

93. The definition of expository preaching
• The passage governs the sermon
• The expositor communicates a concept
• The concept comes from the text
• The concept is applied to the expositor
• The concept is applied to the hearers

94. The case for expository preaching?
• The devaluation of preaching.

95. The case for expository preaching?
• The case for preaching
1 Peter 1 :22-25,Romans 1:11-12, 15, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-13, 2
Timothy 4:2
• Matt. 28:19–20—“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.”
• 1 Tim. 4:13—“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of
Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”
• 2 Tim. 2:2—“And the things which you have heard from me in the
presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be
able to teach others also.”
• 2 Tim. 4:2—“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
• Titus 2:1—“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound
doctrine.”

96. The case for expository preaching?
• Biblical preaching’s authenticity is significantly tarnished by
contemporary communicators who are more concerned with
personal relevance than with God’s revelation. Scripture
unmistakably requires a proclamation focused on God’s will and
mankind’s obligation to obey. With men wholly committed to God’s
Word, the expository pattern commends itself as preaching that is
true to the Bible. Exposition presupposes an exegetical process to
extract the God-intended meaning of Scripture and an explanation
of that meaning in a contemporary way. The biblical essence and
apostolic spirit of expository preaching needs to be recaptured in
the training and preaching of men who are freshly committed to
“preaching the Word.”
MacArthur, J. (1997, c1992). Rediscovering expository preaching (3).
Dallas: Word Pub.

97. The case for expository preaching?
• The need for expository preaching.
“ ‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord
God, / ‘When I will send a famine on the land,
/ Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, /
But rather for hearing the words of the Lord’ ”
(Amos 8:11).

98. The case for expository preaching?
• best achieves the biblical intent of preaching:
delivering God's message.
• promotes scripturally authoritative preaching.
• magnifies God's Word.
• provides a storehouse of preaching material.
• develops the pastor as a man of God's Word.
• ensures the highest level of Bible knowledge for
the flock.
• leads to thinking and living biblically.

99. The case for expository preaching?
• encourages both depth and comprehensiveness.
• forces the treatment of hard-to-interpret texts.
• allows for handling broad theological themes.
• keeps preachers away from ruts and hobby
horses.
• prevents the insertion of human ideas.
• guards against misinterpretation of the biblical
text.
• imitates the preaching of Christ and the apostles.
• brings out the best in the expositor.

100. Examples
• Ephesians 6:10-18.
Paul is dealing with Spiritual warfare.
1. Vs. 10-14 the believes morale.
- it must be high vs:10
- it must be steadfast. Vs:11-14a
2. Vs. 14-17 the believers armour.
-it should be defensive vs:14-17a
- it should be offensive vs:17b
3. Vs. 18. the believers prayer life.
-it should be persistent vs:18a
-it should be intercessory. vs18b

101. Important Principles
1. Any passage under consideration should be
carefully studied to understand its meaning
and to obtain the subject of the text.
2. Significant words or phrases in the text may
indicate or form the main divisions of the
outline.
3. The outline may be drawn from the
expository unit in an order different from the
text.

102. Important Principles
4. Important truths in a passage may form an
outline.
5. Two or three passages from different parts of
Scripture might form the basis of an expository
sermon.

103. Developing hermeneutical skill.
1. Note the context of the expository unit.
2.Examine the historical and cultural
background of the passage , wherever possible.
3. Treat the details accurately, unfolding the
meaning.
4.The truths in the text must be applied to the
present day.
5. Use good resources.

104. Developing hermeneutical skill.
6. Don’t be lazy, don’t make excuses.
Galatians 5:3
7. Grammar is your friend.
8. Check with reliable sources, look for biblical
verification of the doctrine you are preaching.

105. Examination – What does the text say
• Context
• Translation.
• Observation
• Identification.
• Consult, Solve, and Evaluate

106. Context
• Logical Context - This is the context of the
passage within the text – its placement within
the logical flow of a passage, a book, and even
the entire Bible. There are several circles of
logical/biblical context:
a. Immediate Context
b. Intermediate Context
c. Remote Context

107. Context
• Historical Context.
For example Philippians 3:7-11
How does this passage relate to the
immediately preceding and following
contexts?
• How does this passage relate to its related
major section within Philippians?
• How does this passage relate to the entire
Epistle to the Philippians?

108. Translation.
• Interact with the passage in its original form—
whether in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.
• Look for key words (lexical information) and
key phrases (syntactical and grammatical
information).
• Compare his translation with a literal English
translation (such as the ESV, NASB, or NKJV).

109. Observation
• Read and reread
• Who, What, Where, When and How.
• Connecting words – "and," "but," "therefore,"
"for," and others.
• Verbs – note the tense, voice, whether
singular or plural, and make sure you know
their meaning.

110. Observation
• Patterns in context – look for similar verb
forms in the passage, such as the five
participles strung out in Ephesians 5:19-21
• Repeated words – note words that are
repeated within a verse or within a context
• Words a given writer tends to use – for
example, Matthew is the only gospel writer
who uses the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven"

111. Observation
• Contrasts, comparisons, commands,
exhortations.
• Definitive articles or lack of them
• Adjectives
• Note: what the verse does not say may also be
important but don’t stretch it.

112. Observation
• Perform a word study for each key word in the
text. Keep in mind that many words have no great
"golden nugget" of expositional truth outside of
their usage within proposition and context of the
passage.
• State the argument and/or the development of
the theme succinctly and in your own words.
This is important as it helps you summarise your
examination and interpretation accurately.

113. Consult, Solve, and Evaluate
• Consult.
• Now turn to commentaries, lexicons, Bible
dictionaries, Bible encyclopaedias, and
concordances.
• New observations may surface.
• The preacher who has examined, observed
and interpreted carefully and prayerfully
should find his questions answered and his
interpretations verified.

114. Consult, Solve, and Evaluate
• Solve.
• When a question in the text is answered
differently by two different commentaries
then the preacher must decide which best fits
the passsage

115. Summarize and Evaluate.
• Summarize findings as concisely as possible.
• This summary sentence (or paragraph) will
provide the basis for the proposition of his
sermon.
• Review observations and the conclusions
drawn from those observations.
• Uncertainties, ambiguities may need
additional study.

116. Apply
• Bible study is not complete until the truth
discovered is applied to life situations.
• Application helps the congregation answer the
question how does this apply to me and my
life?
• Having interpreted the scripture accurately,
and applied its truths in his own life, the
preacher now proclaims that truth to his
congregation.

117. Session Three
The Central Theme
The Introduction
The Proposition
The Transitional Statement.

118. The preacher communicates a
central theme.
• The central idea of a true expository message
reflects the central idea intended by the Bible
author himself. … In our approach to the bible,
therefore, we are not primarily concerned
with what words mean, but with what the
biblical writers mean through the use of
words.
- MacArthur, J. (1997, c1992). Rediscovering expository preaching
(229). Dallas: Word Pub.

119. What is the big idea.
• When the pilot does not know what port he is
heading for, no wind is the right wind; and when
the preacher does not know what he is trying to
accomplish in his message, no service is a good
service. Have a specific aim for each message,
and be sure to tell your congregation what it is.
Wiersbe, W. W., & Wiersbe, D. (1986). The
elements of preaching : The art of biblical
preaching clearly and simply presented.
Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

120. The Central Theme
• “The Central Theme of the Text”
is a simple declarative sentence,
which says what the text means.

121. The Central Theme
• Don’t to create your own message but
communicate the author’s message.
It is your job to:
1. find the author’s central theme
2. build a message around that theme, and
3. make that theme the central part of all you
have to say.

122. Examples of central themes
• Every saved sinner receives God’s unmerited
favour. Ephesians 2:8-10
• The Lord desires worship that comes from the
heart. Matthew 15:8
• No one can escape the consequences of his
own sin. Galatians 6:7
• We can forgive others because we have
experienced God’s forgiveness. Matt 18:15

123. Identifying the central theme
• Examine the context.
Interact with syntax, structure and author’s
intent. James 1:12, Revelation 1:19
• Find the Central Idea from a Single Statement in
the Passage.
1 Tim. 4:6–16, Gal. 6:1–10, 1 Pet. 5:1–11
• Find the Central Idea from the Larger Context .
1 Corinthians 12–14, Hebrews 10–12.
• Find the Central Idea from Recurring Ideas.
Eph. 1:3–14. Matthew 6:19–33.

124. Session Three
The Central Theme
The Proposition
The Introduction
The Transitional Statement.

125. The Proposition
• It is a simple declaration of the subject which the preacher
proposes to discuss, develop, prove, or explain in the
discourse. In other words, it is a statement of the main
spiritual lesson or timeless truth in the sermon reduced to
one declarative sentence.
• It is the thesis, the big idea, the homiletical idea, or a the
subject sentence, it is a principle: a rule which governs the
right conduct, or a fact or generalization which is accepted to
be true and basic.
‘How to prepare Bible Message’s, James Braga,1969, 1981, Multnomah
Press.

126. The Proposition
• The foundation of the entire structure of the
sermon.
• Indicates the course of the sermon.
• Introduces the main points of the sermon.
• It directs the main points to the central theme
of the sermon.
• It directs the central theme of the sermon to
the central theme of the text.

127. The Proposition.
• Daily meditations in the Scripture is vital
for the Christian who wants to grow in Christ.
• God demands proper worship
that must be in Spirit and truth.
• God shows us what love is
by giving His Son?
• God uses the weak things of this world
to reveal his power.
• The gospel is good news
for the hopeless sinner.

128. The Proposition- example
• From Ephesians 2:8 suggest three
propositional statements.
• Every saved sinner is the beneficiary of God’s
unmerited favour.
• Although salvation is free, it becomes ours
when we accept it by faith.
• God’s provision of salvation is entirely outside
of man’s doing.

129. The Importance of the Proposition
• It is the foundation of the sermon.
Every word must be clearly and accurately selected
• It clearly indicates the course of the sermon to the
congregation. This makes the sermon interesting and
possible for the congregation to follow
• It shows that the preacher has vigorously studied the
content of the passage (exegesis), has set the direction
and outline of his sermon (proposition, homiletics) and
knows how to apply the sermon correctly.
If you do not know the BIG IDEA of the passage
you cannot introduce the sermon and therefore
you cannot preach the sermon

130. Session Three
The Central Theme
The Proposition
The Introduction
The Transitional Statement.

131. Definition
• The introduction is the process by which the
preacher endeavours to prepare the minds
and secure the interests of his hearers in the
message he has to proclaim.

132. Definition
• Someone has said that the introduction to a
sermon may be likened to the prelude to a poem,
the preface to a book, the portico to a building,
or the preamble to the statement of a case in
court. The prelude introduces us to a poem,
suggests its method and meaning or message.
The preface to a book also does that.… An
introduction, then, must introduce.
• G. Campbell Morgan, Preaching (reprint, Grand
Rapids: Baker, 1974), 81.

133. Purpose
• Capture and redirect the audience’s attention to focus on
the preacher and his message.
• Enhance the audience’s goodwill toward the preacher.
• Create audience interest in and anticipation of the body of
a message.
• Demonstrate the biblical importance of a message.
• Answer every listener’s unspoken question, “Why should I
listen to this message?”
• Orient listeners to the preacher’s wavelength.
• Make the preacher’s intended course of discussion clear to
his audience so that they can follow along and not get lost
on the preaching journey.

134. Purpose – in a nutshell
• Overall, the introduction will put the preacher
and his hearers mentally in step with each
other.
• To secure the good will of the congregation.
• To arouse interest in the theme.

135. Variations
• Current statistics which highlight a contemporary
problem to be addressed in the message.
• Historical illustrations that serve to acquaint
listeners with the message theme.
• Humor.
• Current events that relate to the message.
• Careful reading of the biblical text from which the
message comes.
• Real-life stories.

136. Variations
• Biographical illustrations.
• Striking quotations.
• Rhetorical questions directed to the audience.
• Personal experiences of the preacher.
• References to current, well-known books.
• Life-related problems for which biblical
solutions will be forthcoming.

137. Variations
• Contemporary confusion over biblical teaching.
• Highly interesting personal correspondence.
• Appropriate prayer.
• Modern-day parables.
• Personal testimony.
• Hymns related to the message.
• Asking an audience for their response to a
hypothetical situation.

138. Guidelines
• Does it fit the occasion? For example, the introduction of a
message at a banquet would be different than one in a
worship service.
• Does it connect with—i.e., actually introduce—the subject
of your message?
• Do you deliver in the message what you promise in the
introduction?
• Is it short, like an appetizer in relation to the main course
(generally no more than five minutes)?
• Do you avoid using humor just for humor’s sake?
• Do you create the highest possible level of interest to
capture the audience’s attention?
• Is the introduction crisp and striking?

139. Preparation
• As a general rule, development of
introductions comes toward the end of
message preparation.
• Once you are certain of your main theme and
general outline and application.
• It is good practice to write the introduction
and the conclusion simultaneously.

140. An effective introduction:
Uncovers needs
• A rhetorical questions reach for attention: "If it
were possible for God to die and He died this
morning, how long would it take you to find out?"
• A startling fact or statistic may charm your
audience into listening: "One out of three
marriages ends in the divorce court. Only, one
marriage in six is happy..“
• Your passage itself can be the basis of attention:
"For many people Hebrews chapter six is the
most perplexing passage in the Bible.'

141. An effective introduction:
Uncovers needs
• At other times you will drive directly to your
subject with a confrontative statement: "If you
claim to be a Christian, you must believe in
the Trinity.“
• Need can be touched quickly. Asking "Can a
woman who works be a good mother? What
do you say? What does the Bible say?"
touches need in less than twenty words.

142. An Effective Introduction:
Commands Attention
• An introduction should command attention. When you
step behind the pulpit, you dare not assume that your
congregation sits expectantly waiting for your sermon.
• A Russian proverb offers a bit of wise counsel to the
preacher: "It is the same with men as with donkeys:
whoever would hold them fast must get a very good
grip on their ears'" The opening words of a sermon
therefore need not be dramatic, they need not even be
plain; but they must go after the minds of the hearers
to force them to listen. If you do not capture attention
in the first thirty seconds, you may never gain it at all.

143. An Effective Introduction:
Introduces the body of a sermon.
• An introduction must introduce something.
• At the very least it should introduce the
sermon's subject so that no one needs to
guess what the preacher plans to talk about.
• For example, if you raise the question, "How
can we know the will of God?" the audience
expects that the major assertions of the
sermon will provide steps to the answer.

144. Introduction do not’s
• Do not start with an apology.
When we use an apology, we hope to win
sympathy. But at best, we gain pity. A
congregation is seldom persuaded by
someone for whom they, feel sorry. If you are
less prepared than you want to be, let the
congregation discover it for themselves. In
many, cases they will never find out.

145. Introduction do not’s
• Don't upset, anger, instil fear unnecessarily.
• Be personal but be careful.
• Do not be longwinded.
• Do not rush through your introduction.
• Do not generalize about figures, quotations
and statistics.
• Do not use humour irreverently.

146. Practical – Example how to introduce.
• 1 John 3:1-32. The sermon title is
How does biblical love look?
Outline Five main points
1. Biblical love is the Father ‘s love. 1-3
2. What Biblical love is not vs10-15
3. What Biblical love is. Vs 16-1
4. What Biblical love does for believers vs19-23
5. How do we know we have this love vs24.

147. Session Three
The Central Theme
The Introduction
The Proposition

148. The Proposition.
• The foundation of the entire structure of the
sermon.
• Indicates the course of the sermon.
• Introduces the main points of the sermon.
• It directs the main points to the central theme
of the sermon.
• It directs the central theme of the sermon to
the central theme of the text.

149. Which of these are good propositional
statements?
• Have you praised God today?
• God gives us His grace
• The believer can depend on the Lord’s help in time of
need.
• God is perfecting the saints.
• Don’t worry about anything.
• When we serve the Lord we are serving an excellent
Master.
• Do you read your bible?
• God is no man's debtor and He will reward us for
everything we do for Him.

150. Exercise - Improve
• Daniel 1:1-21
Text : Daniel 1:1-21
Proposition: The example of Daniel to every
Christian of victory over sin.
1. The testing of Daniel vs:1-7
2. The purpose of Daniel vs:8
3. The triumph of Daniel vs:9-11.

151. Session Four
Main points
Transitional statements
Subdivisions
Discussion
Conclusion

152. Main points
• Main points should make the sermon clearer
to the congregation.
• They must grow out of the proposition.
• They must be distinct from each other.

153. Main points
• They must be arranged in some form of
progression.(logical, chronological)
• When the propositional statement asks a
question, looks for proof or defence the main
points must satisfy that requirement.

154. Main points
• Each division must relate to the propositional
statement and assist to express the complete
idea.
• Keep the divisions down to as few as possible.
• Keep the divisions equal in length and
structure.
• Be creative and add variety each week.

155. Session Four
Main points
Transitional statements
Subdivisions
Discussion
Conclusion

156. Transitional statements
• Necessary for as smooth transition between
main points.
• Remember the listener does not have the sermon
in front of them.
• It offers a clue that the preacher is moving to the
next main division.
• It therefore makes each step of the sermon clear.
• It creates an interest in what is to follow.
• Don’t make an abrupt transition from one main
division to the next.

157. Session Four
Main points
Transitional statements
Subdivisions
Discussion
Conclusion

158. Subdivisions
• Are derived from their respective main division
and should be a logical development from them.
• They are subordinate to the main division.
The sub division must deal with the subject of the
main division. They should not stand on their
own.
• They must be logical and parallel in structure
within the framework of the main division.
• They should be limited in number.

159. Session Four
Main points
Transitional statements
Subdivisions
Deliverance

160. Deliverance
1. Unity
2. Proportion
3. Progression
4. Brevity
5. Clarity
6. Vitality
7. Variety

161. Recording Notes
• Write so you can identify at a glance.
• Use numbers to mark divisions and sub divisions.
• Write out central idea, propositional statement
and outline clearly.
• Write each transitional statement in full clearly.
• Use brief phrases when possible.
• Number pages clearly, use highlighters to mark
important places, illustrations, verses, ideas in
the sermon.

162. Session Five
Application
Conclusion

163. Application
• We define application as the rhetorical
process by which truth is brought to bear
directly and personally upon individuals in
order to persuade them to respond properly
to it.

164. Application
• The time for application must be determined
by the content of the message.
• The amount of time given to application is
important.

165. Prerequisites Application
• The preacher must be a godly man.
• The preacher must know God’s word and be
able to deliver the truth effectively.
• The pastor must have an understanding if the
weaknesses of human nature.
• The pastor must know his people and their
needs.
• He must be dependant on the Holy Spirit of
God.

167. Session Five
Application
Conclusion

168. Conclusion
• The conclusion is the climax of the whole
sermon in which the preachers' one constant
aim reaches its goal in the form of a forceful
impression.
• Restatement of main ideas, illustration,
appeal, motivation.
• It should be brief, simple and the words
carefully chosen.

169. “Preach the word;
be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort,
with great patience and instruction.”
- 2 Timothy. 4:2

170. Bibliography.
Braga James.(1969,1981) How to prepare Bible Messages. Multnomah Press. Oregon
MacArthur, J. (1997, c1992). Rediscovering expository preaching (3). Dallas
Wiersbe, W. W., & Wiersbe, D. (1986). The elements of preaching : The art of biblical preaching clearly
and simply presented. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
McGrath, A. Christian Literature: An Anthology (2001) Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.
Robinson. H. (1980, 2001). The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, Baker Academic,
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Hybels, B., Briscoe, D. S., & Robinson, H. W. (1990], c1989. Mastering Contemporary preaching,( 1989)
Published by Multnomah Press, Portland, Oregon.