Sessions Six to Nine: The Process of God’s Communication to Man (click links on left to access sections).
Month: October 2010
Session Five: A Potpourri of Expository Questions and Tests
The following are some of the questions that will be asked and answered in this session: How can I do topical studies accurately? How do we respond to finicky spiritual tastes? Should we teach others to evaluate our and others' messages biblically? How long into the future should I plan my preaching?
Session Four: The Principles of Interpretation
To properly exegete a passage, it is necessary that we get in touch with some basic rules of interpretation. These rules are called "the science and art of Hermeneutics." The word comes from the Greek verb that means to "translate," or "interpret." It is a science, because it is guided by principles, or rules, arranged into an orderly system of approach. It is also called an art, because as we will see, it requires skill and sensitivity to complete it.
Session Three: The Personal Touch of Expository Preaching
Several expository styles and approaches will be viewed and compared, e.g., those of Ray Stedman, Charles Swindoll, John Stott, Jerry Cook. Examples of individual sermons, a whole series on a book, and individual topics will be viewed and evaluated. COMING SOON
Session Two: The Preparation and Process of Expository Messages
Expository teaching of the Bible is all about prayer, a hunger to know what Scripture really says, and plenty of study. For adequate preparation, certain tools are necessary.
Session One: The Introduction to Expository Preaching
What happens when we have a lack of expository preaching. In two words: people starve!!!
Some of the preaching coming across our pulpits is only superficially satisfying.
Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants
Many years ago I read an article in Christianity Today that was adapted from a book entitled “Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants.” I have for some time been interested in this subject, but it is especially appropriate now because so many of my church family are receiving that unwanted gift. A number of my friends have family members who have died; and there have been many sicknesses, cancers, financial struggles, emotional upheavals, and relational and family dysfunctions in the lives of those I love as well. I’ve also observed that pain hasn’t always come from the obvious sources. Sometimes it emits from affluence and overindulgence. These have also yielded painful fruit in us and in our culture. As a result, I have been tempted to say to God, “please, stop the pain.” But I have caught myself and not prayed that prayer. My experience is that pain (even though we seldom understand it’s purpose) need not be a doorway to despair, but it can be an opportunity for beauty to grow in us.