NARRATIVE LITERATURE PREACHING GOD’S STORIES THE HOMILETICAL PATTERN

N A R R A T I V E L I T E R A T U R EP R E A C H I N G G O D ’ S S T O R I E S

THE HOMILETICAL PATTERN

FOUNDATION FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING

• Expository preaching• What is it?• What is included in it?

• Basic oral presentation• What works?• What are our options?

• Idea formation from Scripture• How do we handle didactic literature?• What do we do differently for narrative

literature?

REVIEW THE MEANING OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING

" . . . the _____________ of a  biblical ______________, derived from and ____________________ through a _____________________, ____________________, and _______________study of a passage in its _________________,which _______________ first applies to the ___________________ and _________________ of the preacher,then through him to ___________________."

EXPOSITORY PREACHING

Definition: “Expository preaching is the proclamation of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher then through him to his hearers.” (Robinson, Biblical Preaching, 20)

HOMILETICAL PRIORITY

• What the Biblical writer had in mind MUST determine the direction of the sermon that is preached.• Biblical Exposition is in large part a philosophy• Not first a method• Initiative: what is my purpose in preaching?• My thoughts must adjust to Scripture not visa versa• Am I willing to adjust my thinking, theology, and

traditions based upon what the Scriptures reveal?• Do I approach the Bible with simple faith to hear what

God has to tell me and then retell it through me?

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CONCEPT

• the definition focus is communicating the concept• Some confuse the emphasis of words over

concept• Words are the means that form the concept• Authority is found in the Bible not the speaker• “historical” what was the meaning by authors?• “grammatical” how language communicates is

vital• “literary” the setting of the passage flavors

everything including narrative literature

ESSENTIAL AUDIENCE HERMENEUTIC

• Preachers must provide sufficient evidence that what is said is clearly what the Bible says

• Understanding must make a historical journey and back again

• The audience gives believability to the preacher therefore, he must honestly speak with care

EXPOSITORS ARE MOVED FIRST

• Preacher’s personality linked with the sermon.• Spiritual growth is a

clear bi-product of preaching.• We must first live what

we will later proclaim.• Loving heart +

disciplined mind = effective tool in God’s hand

THREE OBJECTIVES FOR EVERY PREACHER

• Exegete: what is God saying in His Word?• Christian: what does

God want me to do now that I understand His Word?• Preacher: how can I

now challenge God’s people with this truth?

APPLICATION MUST BE FRESH

• gives purpose to the sermon• must be creative or the

sermon will be boring• A preacher must speak

to his day• Confront people about

themselves• Always speak to

people as they, where they are

PRECISIONS IS REQUIRED

• Fragmentation without assimilation leads to confusion• Each sermon: • Explanation• Interpretation• or Application • of a single idea• supported by other ideas• clearly derived from

Scripture

CENTRAL IDEA IS FUNDAMENTAL

• Rhetoricians consistently advocate this • Terminology variation:

proposition, theme, thesis, main thought, pericope• Focus on one specific

theme

FORMING AN IDEA

• Two essential elements• Subject: • what am I talking about? • Must be precise, complete and

definite answer• Not a grammatical subject,

never a single word• Complement: • what am I saying about it?• This completes the subject• Ideas can explain, prove or

apply (explanation, validation, application)