Preaching QNA: Part 4
J.W. wrote, “There are many different preaching styles (expository, topical, narrative, etc.). What are your thoughts on the various styles?”
Let’s define the styles and talk about advantages and disadvantages:
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TOPICAL. Preacher selects a topic. (Potential topics might include: grace, racism, love, poverty, generosity, end times, etc.) Then the preacher selects different verses from different places in the Bible that apply to that topic.
Advantages:
• Precisely address important, relevant issues.
• Rapidly cover different parts of the Bible.
• Expose people to verses they may rarely experience, using Scripture outlines.
• Delve deeply into the topic.
Disadvantages:
• May inadvertently train people not to dig into Scripture for themselves.
• Might drift toward the same Scriptures over time, leaving large portions uncovered.
• Has potential of proof-texting (using a verse out of context to make a point).
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EXPOSITORY. Preacher selects a book, preaching through it verse-by-verse.
Advantages:
• Easily teach on the broader and important context. (Who wrote the book? When? To whom? Why?)
• People learn the Bible as a whole instead of in small pieces.
• Forces you to cover things you normally wouldn’t.
Disadvantages:
• Might lose audience’s interest. If you spend 72 weeks in Romans 1 through 4, not everyone will be as interested as you. (Yes, some preachers can hold attention with that kind of depth. Most can’t.)
• May not be able to speak as directly to some important subjects.
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NARRATIVE. Preacher may read a verse or two, but most of the sermon is told in story form. It could be performed as a monologue or as a drama.
Advantages:
• People love stories. Can be a very memorable way to explain Scripture.
• Jesus often communicated in narratives.
Disadvantages:
• Some people stink at story-telling.
• Some may drift too far from The Story. We may add too much of ourselves and dilute the power of the unpolluted message.
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I think all styles are important and potentially very effective. Chances are, because of your gifts and experiences, you’ll drift toward one style or another. Master your style, but don’t limit yourself to one way of communicating. Force yourself out of your comfort zone occasionally to communicate the message in different ways.
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Craig,
How do you feel about teachers/people who say that expository preaching is the ONLY way to preach…saying that anything less is a watered-down message lacking truth?
Bill
Bill,
People who say expository preaching is the ONLY way to preach wouldn’t like some of Jesus’ messages. They need to wake up and realize there are many ways to teach God’s truth.
Craig,
Most of the time I package something topically and preach expositionally. Recently I did the Sermon on the Mount in 4 series walking verse by verse through the text yet hitting (and promoting) topic after topic. This way I enjoy the advantages of both and cut away the main disadvantages of each.
Craig,
I just listened to your first message in your Jonah series and I wanted to commend you for your work. You seem to generally prefer topical over expositional, so I don’t know how far out of your comfort zone this is, but you did a great job of working through the context of Jonah. I started preaching through the book last week as well, so it is pretty cool to see how someone else is being led by the Spirit as they teach the same material. I look forward to hearing this week’s message. God bless.
Craig, I know you were in the Methodist church and as we all know who grew up Methodist, all that mattered was the 3 point sermon. I am guessing part of this was ingrained in you, so does this still have impact on you or not? If it does play a part in your teaching how so?
Gib,
Thanks for the kind words about the Jonah teaching. I am very excited about the upcoming messages. I pray God uses your teaching!
Bo,
Sadly, I don’t remember much of anything about the sermons I heard growing up.
Craig…do you think changing your approach or style sometimes is something good to do?
For example if you preach from a topical stand point do you think changing to another style is something good to do or should you stay in what your strength is?
Jason asked, “Do you think changing your approach or style is something good to do?”
Absolutely. If we don’t modify how we teach/preach, we will eventually lose ground in reaching people.
Even though different styles are challenging to me, I push myself to try new things.
During those occasions you have stepped out of your comfort zone, did you feel you connected with your audience as well? If YES, did you continue to step out for another message or two or just revert to the more usual, comfortable style for the next message? If NO, same question.
Before you wrap up this week on preparation, I have a question. During the past six months you have had the opportunity to personally engage with some of today’s most widely recognized great leaders/pastors/communicators. What, if anything, have you learned about preparation from any of these folks? Anything surprise you? Disappoint you?
Finally, here’s a watermelon for you to hit. What do you have to say to pastors whose communities want them to go “deeper” with their messages.
Eric,
Can’t answer all your questions now. I’ll answer your first…
You asked, “During those occasions you have stepped out of your comfort zone, did you feel you connected with your audience as well?”
Not always. I tried to do a dramatic telling of the Christmas story from Joseph’s perspective. Give me an “A” for effort, but a “C-” at effectiveness.
During the next couple of weeks, I’m doing away with sermon outlines and just preaching straight from the text. It may or may not be more effective than normal, but it will challenge me and change the way the listeners hear the story.
Sometimes we have to fail several times before we find a new and more effective rhythm. If I strikeout, it will be swinging and not “taking the pitch.”
I am just glad that I know what expository means now so I don’t have to nod my head like I know what it means when someone is talking to me about it…CG the impact you make on my life…I can’t wait to act superior with my new mastery of theological language (is that sinful?)
Just taking my cuts. Strrrike.
Rob,
Have fun with your new word! :)
Just wanted to say that i feel more and more encouraged to become a preacher.
Thanx.
Hi Eric,
From a listener’s perspective, when I say “Can you go deeper” with my friends or anyone, I mean, “Can you give me an example? Can you illustrate it? Can you explain it more?” - Usually an example or illustration helps.
At other times, when I say deeper, I might mean the message isn’t motivating/interesting enough - as in just touching/skimming the surface and pounding on one point using the same method (as in saying the same sentence 10 times etc.), or isn’t really focussing on the scriptures/using them properly.
You might not get this, but hope it helps =]
God Bless ‘_^
Hey Suraj,
Thanks for the perspective and good comment. The reason I mentioned the “deeper” issue is that I have heard people say that they left their church because they wanted “deeper” teaching.
Erwin McManus recently mentioned this in a message and said what people are really saying is that they were wanting more INFORMATION as if we were going to impress God someday with our BIG BIG brains. He said we all know more than we are willing to put into practice anyway.
I just wanted to give Craig a shot at this issue as I know his detractors say his teaching is not deep enough.
Hey Craig it’s Jared!
I’ve read this blog series as well as many of the others you and Bobby have written. These blogs are really helping me “get mentally in-line” with how to do different things at the church.
Thank-you very much for writing stuff that is not only for seasoned pastors, but also for pre-pastors haha.
Please email me at JaredTBowie@Gmail.com so that we can stay directly in contact.
Thanks again!