How do I Prepare an Expositional Sermon?
Planning and Preparation
Planning the Menu - Dietary Balance
- The best sermon preparation doesn't wait until the week (or day) before you preach. It starts months ahead by taking time to think through what you'll be preaching over the next, say, four months.
- So think big picture at the outset. What Scriptural food group has been lacking lately in your congregation's diet? What part of God's Word might go neglected if you're not intentional about planning to preach it?
- Think also about varying the type of expositions you do over this four-month period. For example, follow up a ten-week in depth study of Ephesians with a three-week overview series in the minor prophets.
- Again, think in terms of providing your hearers with an objectively balanced diet of Scripture, not just in terms of what you think they need to hear based on their subjective circumstances, or of what your favorite books or passages are.
- If you're young or in a new pastorate, think about weighting the schedule with overviews so that you can provide a framework for later detailed expositions. But be warned: overview sermons are a LOT of work, so don't overdo the overview.
