9 Two Ways To Expound A Passage 1 Peter 2 1-3 30frs

Tw o Ways* to Expound a Passage *One is better than the other! * PCJB PP Presentation devised and prepared at Gujranwala Theological Seminary may be copied for non-commercial use only March 2005

Method A:

Method B:

Verse by Verse

Identifying the sub ject of the passage

- as in a comment ary

and then

opening up the passage to reveal

the heart-beat (core message)

Me thod A:

Expounding Pass age Verse

a Verse by

The Verse by Verse m ethod has these benef it s: • It encourages the preacher to keep to t he text and not forget what the passage is saying • It is easy fo r the p reacher to offer some comment on each verse without too much study or work • It enables the congregation to fo llo w i n their B ib les (if they have one with them) • It covers the c onte nt without missing out important parts

But it al so has these di sadvanta ges : • It can get borin g, especially if there are many verses • It easily degenerates into moral le ssons and pious pla titudes • It fo gs th e c ore message of the passage • It doesn’t li nk the p assage to this “heart-beat” • It leaves the congregation with a lo ng li st of id eas instead of focusing their attention on the key issue

Exp oun ding a Passage Verse by Verse CO NCLU SI ON • It is an easy way to preach at short notice and better than not keeping to the text at all But… • As a way of thinking about the passage it is undemanding and therefore limited in its effectiveness

Me th od B:

Expounding a Pas sa ge thr ough its

The Heart-Beat Method off ers these b en efi ts: • It makes sure the speaker does his/her homework in preparation • It provides a clear focus for the attention of the congregation • It allows a clear mapping of the rest of the passage instead of a jumble of ideas whose connections are not indicated

Further benef its of the Heart-Beat approach • Educati onal ly people learn more and better through a focused message, even when a long passage is being studied • Spi ri tua lly people are challenged more strongly by one over-arching idea than by a battery of ideas whose connections are not immediately obvious

Anot her bene fit of the Heart-Beat approach

• It avoids the temptation to look for mor al lessons and pi ous pl ati tud es in every line

Exp oun ding a Passage through its Heart-Beat CH IEF BEN EFI TS • It makes the whole passage come alive • It allows God to speak clearly and directly from His Word

NOTE In either method avoid bringing in other ideas from elsewhere Use other Biblical references only to make clear or re-inforce the heart-beat of the passage

EXAMPLE Expounding 1 Peter 2:1-3

1 Pe ter 2:1-3 2.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 7 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 11 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. [1] [1]The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

Verse by Verse method (not the preferred method)

OUTLINE

• Getting rid of evil habits • • • • •

How How How How How

to to to to to

get get get get get

rid rid rid rid rid

of of of of of

malice deceit hypocrisy envy slander

• Need for spiritual nourishment • Babies’ need of milk • What is pure spiritual milk

• Spiritual growth and salvation • Different aspects of Salvation

• The goodness of God • Experiencing God

Verse by Verse method (not the preferred method)

Note: • This method is very good for personal bible study because: • It uncovers much interesting information • It discovers many helpful lessons

What’s the problem? For a sermon: •

Too many topics

•

No indication of how they relate to each other

•

Fogging the key point

•

And remember...

Jesus, When He Taught... • Did not aim to

impart spiritual information into the minds of his hearers Rather • He aimed to make a significant change in their lives

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE 1. What is Peter writing about here? 2. What does Peter say about this? 3. What is the ‘heart-beat‘ of his message on this subject?

1 Pe ter 2:1-3 2.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 7 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 11 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. [1] [1]The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE

(Detail)

1. What is Peter writing about here?

Spiritual Growth

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE (Detail Cont.)

1. What does Peter say about Spiritual Growth? Are you new born? Then get rid of former evil attitudes Replace such impulses with spiritual cravings

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE (Detail Cont.)

2a. What else does Peter say about Spiritual Growth? •

We should be like babies: • •

•

Crave for intimacy with the Lord Find our satisfaction in the Lord, not in indulging in bad attitudes towards others Work hard at getting such nourishment from the Lord

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE (Detail Cont.)

2b. Is there anything else Peter says about Spiritual Growth? •

The ultimate goal of Spiritual Growth is entering into our full salvation

Heart Beat approach (Preferred)

OUTLINE

(Detail)

3. What is the Heart-Beat of Peter’s message? • Find your satisfaction in God and His Goodness alone

Expounding 1 Peter 2:1-3 Question • Which message do you want your congregation to have after they leave you? Remember...

Sermon A ? • Getting rid of evil habits • • • • •

How How How How How

to to to to to

get get get get get

rid rid rid rid rid

of of of of of

malice deceit hypocrisy envy slander

• Need for spiritual nourishment • Babies’ need of milk • What is pure spiritual milk

• Spiritual growth and salvation • Different aspects of Salvation

• The goodness of God • Experiencing God

Or

Sermon B ? • Find your satisfaction in God and His Goodness alone

THE END