How to Prepare an - ICOTB

1 How toPrepareanExpository SermonBYHAROLD E. KNOTT, (Harv.), of Homiletics, Eugene Bible UniversityEugene, OregonTHE STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANYCINCINNATI, OHIOC opyrighted, 1930 The Standard Publishing CompanyTo the students of my class inex-pository preaching, through whosehelp and co-operation many ofthe principles here given wereworked out and tested, thishook is affectionately undertaken, the studyof the Bible becomes an absorbing pas-sion which will find its perfect satisfac-tion only when "we see no longerthrough a glass darkly, but face to face."The glory of expository preaching isthat it awakens an enthusiasm for theWord, and stirs men to that personalexploration of the inspired messagewhich will be worth more to them spir-itually than all the sermons they .. 9 CHAPTER 111. Definition of an expository Views of authorities on the Value of the expository method: (a)To preacher.

2 (b) To Objection to expository sermons: (a) Impression that expository sermons are dry. (b) Misunderstanding of expository sermons.(c) Idea that the Bible is not modern.(d) Difficulty of 231. Essential parts to a sermon outline. (a) Discussion of various models. (b) Illustration of type followed in Difference between expository outline and other typesof sermons.(a) Expository sermons usually use more Scripture as a basis. (b) The expository method aims to develop the sermon from the Phases of the expository outline needing specialattention.(a) Securing contact with audience.(b) Making a vital 311. Variation, by the expository method, in the use Expository method applied to the whole book of Expository method applied to chapter or similar logical Expository method applied to short Comparison of uses of Scripture of G.

3 CampbellMorgan and Dr.. 411. Value of intensive study of the Bible as an aid todiscovering themes for Study of author's purpose and character as reflectedin any book, necessary to appreciate Illustration of method of discovering themes Personal qualities that help in finding themes forexpository preaching:(a) Trained mind.(b) Spiritual personality,(c) Close contact with 511. Significance of "introduction."2. Procedure in preparing an introduction. (a) Explanation. (b) Introduction. (c) Method illustrated by themes previously 621. General purpose of Need for studying material before forming divisions in expository Procedure in making divisions for an expositorysermon.(a) Summary method.(b) Related ideas.(c) Verbal Principles involved in good sermon (a) Simple.(b) Progressive.(c) Complete Principles applied to themes already 751.

4 General principles involved in the development The application of general principles to thedevelopment of expository sermons.(a) Intensive study.(b) Application.(c) Development of divisions previously ..931. Purpose of General principles of effective Application of principles to expository FORSUCCESS AS 981. Good Bible Studious Oratorical OF THEEXPOSITORYMETHOD ON THEVOICEINDELIVERY 1031. It gives soul to one's It gives variety to vocal THEDIFFERENTUSE Sermon built upon a whole Sermon built upon part of a Sermon built upon one THEDIFFERENTMETHODS OFDE-VELOPMENT ..1241. Sermon illustrating the summary Sermon illustrating the method of related Sermon illustrating the verbal facts have impressed themselves uponthe author during the fifteen years that hehas been teaching homiletics to young men pre-paring for the first of these is that writers on the sub-ject of preaching are unanimous in regard tothe value of expository preaching.

5 All agreethat it is the most effective form of pulpit next thing that has been forced upon hisattention is that while there is this unanimityof opinion, very few of our modern preachersare using this method. The reason for this con-dition would seem to be either a lack of knowl-edge of the value of expository sermons, or alack of ability in preparing trying to account for this strange anomaly,the author became impressed with the furtherfact that there are practically no books pub-lished which place in the hands of preachers themeans for developing efficiency along this unfortunate a lack in our religious litera-ture is the cause of the present volume, and,while it may not accomplish all that the author9 TPrefacewould like, he hopes that it may at least provesuggestive to some and help to focus attentionupon an important and neglected field in theo-logical study.

6 H. E. VALUE OF EXPOSITORY PREACHINGHE expository sermon is an effort to explain,illustrate and apply the Scriptures to life;or, to use F. B. Meyer's words, "expositorypreaching is the consecutive treatment of somebook or extended portion of Scripture on whichthe preacher has concentrated head and heart,brain and brawn, over which he has thought andwept and prayed, until it has yielded up itsinner secret, and the spirit of it has passed intohis spirit."Its purpose is to help the hearers to find inthe sacred writings the true interpretation oflife. This is both a high ideal and a most de-lightful task, kindling in the soul of the preacherthat spark of heavenly fire which glows with en-thusiasm and great preacher, as well as every writeron the subject of homiletics, regards expositorypreaching as the method par excellence.

7 ThusPhelps, in his "Theory of Preaching," says: "Byparting with expository preaching, the pulpit hasparted with its most important aid and stimulusto variety. No other one thing gives to preach-11 THow to Prepare an Expository Sermoning so wide a range of religious thought as theexposition of the Scriptures when it comes forthas the fruit of a rich, full mind rich in scholarlyresources, and full of intense, practical aims."Dean Brown, of Yale Divinity School, in the"Art of Preaching," declares his preference forthis method in the following terms: "lama firmbeliever in the value of expository preaching."Among other reasons for this attitude he affirmsthat "it has the historic warrant of being apos-tolic." It "ensures a more thorough knowledgeof the Bible on the part of the preacher himself.

8 ""This method of preaching," he says, "also de-velops a more thorough knowledge of the Bibleon the part of the people." "The expositoryform of preaching gradually develops both inthe pulpit and pew the Scriptural point of view,than which there is none better."Professor Smyth, of the University of Dublin,in "The Preacher and His Sermon," says: "Ourteaching would be much more systematic if wehad more expository preaching. It is a greatneed. People do not learn the Bible, they do notlearn how full of interest a book of the Bible iswhen rightly understood."Other writers on the subject are just as clearand habit of preaching expository sermonsis a splendid discipline for the preacher. It giveshim a more profound and vital interest in the12 The Value of Expository Preachingstudy of the Bible.

9 It encourages him to searchthere for sermon material rather than in thenewspaper or in the works of science and phi-losophy. The notion that the Bible is not asinteresting or as fruitful in sermonic material asthese other fields, is a gigantic mistake. The onlyreason that people think the Bible is uninterest-ing is because they do not know it. F. B. Meyerhas probably not overemphasized it when he saysthat the real knowledge of the Bible is less thanthat of the standard works of fiction or expository method also leads to a newmethod of studying the Scriptures. The purposechanges from that of seeking the bases of ser-mons in individual texts to that of finding themeaning of a book or new approach to the Bible also givesbreadth to one's thinking, and both keeps thepreacher a student, and at the same time keepshis thinking in harmony with divine truth.

10 Theone thing a preacher ought to know is his Bible,and this not only in the sense of an accumulationof texts, but also in the revelation of variousstatements to the context. The more one knowsthe Bible and endeavors to live it out in his ownlife the better man he will be and the larger willbe his ultimate influence on his people and church is suffering to-day from the minis-trations of two types of men in the pulpit those13 How to Prepare an Expository Sermonwho are too broad and those who are too former are well informedaboutthe Bible,but are not informedinit, or have lost theirbearings and are trying to reach the popularmind by lecturettes on passing events, talkingglibly about the relation of science to religion,the need of the modern mind and similar sub-jects.