1 Personal Study & Workshop Outlines - Exegetical - Expository

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 (modified for local use)

Personal Study and Group Workshops

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What is the main point that the author was trying to make to the original hearers / readers in this passage? What is the ‘heartbeat’ of this text? (Try to summarise it in a single complete sentence.)

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; Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 96; Acts 4:1-22

Requirements: A1 size sheets of paper and thick markers

PERSONAL STUDY Goal: To prepare an exegesis of a given passage Requirements: Study Bible, Bible Dictionary Type / write out neatly the whole passage, clause by clause, indenting phrases to show the structure and the relationship of the various parts. 1 Peter 2:9 ….

(-NLT)

Questions to ask yourself : (NB: Write down your answers to take to your Group.)

• • • • • • •

Stage One Exegesis (30 mins) 1. Share with the group, and discuss, the observations made in your personal study in answer to the questions above. Agree the following:

Example But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light….

Each group should appoint a time-keeper to monitor progress in covering the ground and keep the group ‘on track’.

What kind of writing is this? (i.e. its genre) What is the context of this passage (before and after it)? How does that help me understand what it is about? What was the situation of the original author and listeners (readers)? What is the passage talking about, or describing? (i.e. its subject) Is there a flow of thought, or argument? What is it? Make an outline of the passage, summarising what it says, verse by verse, or section by section. What is the topic of each section?

(10 mins max!) The passage’s • Genre, • Author, • Context, • Situation. (Don’t spend too much time on these background issues.) (10 mins) Try and reach a consensus about the Subject and the Outline. The latter should help to identify: (10 mins) The central thrust, or main point, of the text. Be specific – no vague generalisations! 2. Write your group’s agreed outline and central point on a large sheet of paper. – 0 – Each group can now share their findings in

A Plenary Session for discussion and critique

GROUP WORKSHOP 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.