Expository

Expository preaching, exposes or expounds on the meaning of the preaching text in its contexts letting the text of Scripture ONLY create the point(s) of the sermon. It’s “exposing” the meaning of the text to the hearers.

1. This enables us to preach the Bible in a way that highlights what God thinks instead of using the Bible to say what we think!
2. John Stott:  defines expository preaching: Exposition refers to the content of the sermon (biblical truth) rather than its style (a running commentary). To expound Scripture is to bring out of the text what is there and expose it to view. The expositor opens what appears to be closed, makes plain what is obscure, unravels what is knotted, and unfolds what is tightly packed. (Between Two Worlds)

Pros of Expository Preaching

• Preaching through the Bible forces you to take on sticky texts you may otherwise avoid
• You can rest in the authority of the Word itself as you are clearly bound to the word
• Can helps connect the dots of Biblical principles over time

Cons Expository Preaching

• You can focus on pouring over one book or one passage for so long that you neglect the full counsel of God’s word
• Can lead to a lack of application
• Has to potential to feel lackluster or boring

Common Sermon Structure

• Strict point-to-point

Textual (Or Exegetical)

Textual sermons are similar to expository sermons by walking through one abbreviated passage but looks at the broader passage rather than verse by verse. In the textual sermon, the outline comes from the whole passage or concept of the passage.

Pros of Textual Preaching

• Should be very easy to understand as you are simply exploring verse by verse within the subject of the passage.
• Prevents wandering around the Bible and squeezing in extra verse that do not fit in order to make your points

Cons of Textual Preaching

• Can get in the weeds trying force alliteration onto points
• Isn’t a comprehensive treatment of the topic
• Does not build on the foundations of in depth Bible study

Common Sermon Structure

• Open flow point-to-point

Narrative (Or Inductive)

A narrative sermon is a sermon that develops a sermon outline with loosely associated ideas that narrow down to a single idea in order to present an important message. This is an inductive method.

Pros of Narrative Preaching

• Narrative sermons are great for the narrative genre or the biblical stories in the bible which often have a single idea to present
• Allows you to take  your audience on a journey to an important biblical truth
• There is power in storytelling to connect people’s emotions to action
• It is far easier to memorize a sermon and preach without notes

Cons of Narrative Preaching

• Can get off in the weeds and have a hard time bringing the story back to the point of the message.
• Not every book of the Bible is meant to be preached in a story format i.e. The Epistles should not be used in narrative sermons.

Common Sermon Structure

Lowry’s Loop

1. OOPS – Upsetting the Equilibrium
2. UGH – Analyzing the Discrepancy
3. AHA – Disclosing the Clue to Resolution
4. WHEE – Experiencing the Gospel
5. YEAH – Anticipating the Consequences

Stanley’s Structure

1. ME – Here is a problem I have or have had
2. WE – Here is how this affects all of us
3. GOD – Here is what God says about this problem
4. YOU – Here is what you should do
5. WE – Here is what would happen if we all did this

Topical

A topical sermon is one way to drill down into a subject or theme so that the audience will understand the biblical meaning behind these subjects like identity or forgiveness.

Pros

• Can be easier for unbelievers to understand and encourage them to pursue a broad understanding of the Bible
• Allows the preacher to dive deeper into a particle theme while studying 
• When holidays come around, topical preaching makes sermon prep easier. Mother’s Day, Communion, Missions Day 

Cons

• Can easily become based in opinion as you build points around what you think instead of building points around the context of the verse.
• Can rely on extra-biblical sources instead of the Word
• Unintentionally misusing Scripture to make it mean what you want it to mean

Common Sermon Structure

• Open flow point-to-point
• Narrative Lowry’s or Stanely’s