In biblical interpretation exposition is the task of clarifying what is the message, significance and claim of a particular text of Scriptures on us today.
The Bible was written within the specific religious-cultural and historical contexts of ancient Israel and the early Roman Empire. Its texts are, therefore, laden with forms of sayings and customs that are foreign to us. Exposition, if it is to be done well, requires us first to have done our exegesis well so that we know what it meant. Translating it into what it means is a gift and an art, enabled by the Holy Spirit who alone can provide us with fresh insights into the relevance of the texts' meanings for us today. But, as in all things else, the Holy Spirit's task is made easier according to how broadly and deeply we have also understood our world in which we live. A dull incurious mind and a sedate heart is not the best environment for the Holy Spirit's inspiration.
In contrast to exposition and exegesis, eisegesis refers to the reading of our ideas into the text. Eisegesis is the first nail hammered into the coffin of sound doctrine and preaching.
Expository preaching refers not to a method but an approach to preaching. Expository preaching is primarily defined by the fact that it takes both its content and its shape/outline from particular units the texts of Scriptures. David Jackman (see resources below) defines expository preaching like this (emphasis added):
Expository preaching is preaching that is driven by the Bible; that recognises that the Bible drives the content, structure, and scope of the preaching; and it is also preaching that conveys God’s unchanging truth through the preacher’s individual personality.
It is our conviction that nothing serves our congregation a better diet of God's word than when we expound it systematically. Below are some resources we have located which we believe will be helpful.
Media Resources:
Proclamation Trust. David Jackman, Equipped to Preach. Video & Manuals in Pdf N
Proclamation Trust. Walter Kaiser Jr., Expository Preaching. Addresses given at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly, 1987.
Preaching the Prophets
Preaching Narrative
Preaching the Psalms
Audio N
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