Topical vs. Expository Preaching discussion

Image by Brent Nelson via Flickr

This is for my WOLBI Homiletics guys and anyone else interested in the discussion between Topical vs. Expository preaching. This article is an interesting introduction to start the discussion and makes a few good points in the list given.
  
A Caution for Expository Preaching, Dr. Iain Murray



I really don't think it needs to be an either/or debate. Whether "Topical" or "Expository" every text handled must be "rightly divided" - properly interpreted. In a sense, good topical preaching must be expository as it must properly 'exposit' ever text used. I prefer to compare Topical vs. Textual sermons. Textual being the use of a primary text in the message and preaching the message of that text.

Some of the ideas we highlighted in class:

Topical:

Christmas, Easter and other seasons of the year are often best covered in a topical way.
Current issues - be careful with this one. One of the cardinal rules of preaching that I learned at NBBI was "Do not use the pulpit as a whipping post."
Doctrine -How else can Systematic Theology be covered (but heaven forbid we preach Systematic Theology!)? ie. preaching of the gospel - to clearly present the gospel, one must use multiple texts to cover the points of a Creator God's Holiness, Man's sin, Jesus perfect sacrifice/substitute, Man's needed response.

Textual:

Context - should be easier to explain passage as it relates to its context because that is where you are.
Context of the Big Idea - should be easier to relate a passage to the overall theme of the book/chapter it's in.
Preach the Whole Counsel - should be easier to cover difficult issues as they come up in the text without seeming to 'pick-on' a particular person or situation.

I say 'should' as I suggested each of the points for the Textual sermon because the power of the Textual sermon is in the preparer/presenter. Just as the dangers of Topical sermons are being shallow and disconnected so the Textual sermon may be boring or irrelevant in the hands of one who is ill-equipped to prepare and deliver a text with accuracy, relevance, and impact.

Happy Preaching Textually or Topically as the Lord leads to drive home the meaning and life-applications of His incredible Truth!

How to Ruin Your Accountability group

As a follow up to the theme of Accountability. I just came across this link today.

8 Ways to Ruin Your Accountability Group | The Resurgence

Speaking to students here at WOLBI last night from the book of Haggai I was reminded,

"It's not about what I do - it's the heart that does it."

I've heard Ravi Zacharias quote T.S. Elliott,

  "This is the greatest treason, to do the right thing for the wrong reason." 

We can ruin accountability the same way we can ruin everything else - make it a ritual with no heart.

Open Air Week Student Response

After a great but intense Open Air Week on the streets of Toronto and Hamilton sharing our faith, sleeping on the floor of a church, and showering at a local swimming facility it is good to take time to reflect on what God has done despite the discomforts.
In Director's Chapel a couple weeks ago, WOLBI students shared what the week meant to them.

"I really realized there is no 'Plan B.' If we don't tell people about the gospel, who will? On the first day I got to lead two people to Christ. I was just obeying what Christ wants me to do. Whether people get saved or not, I need to just be obedient."

From Drop Box

"I was talking to someone about the gospel and they had to take a call. I walked away discouraged. A few minutes later I got a tap on the shoulder. The guy I was talking to asked, "Hey, can you finish what you were saying?" I finished sharing that Jesus died and rose again to pay for our sins and he wanted to accept Jesus' payment for his sins!"

From Drop Box

"God showed me how everyone is lost [without His truth] and that I need to share God's message of love every chance I get."

"I realized we don't have the power to save people. Only God can save people and He is a God who saves!"

From Drop Box

Some students experienced real persecution for their faith being told to "shut up," "go away," being yelled at, intimidated, spit at, cursed at, and even verbally wished dead. Regarding a particularly discouraging day, one student remarked, "They're not rejecting you but what God is saying to them. We can't make people listen."

Another student summed it up for all of us when they said, "The whole week was an amazing experience."
We praise God for using us to share His Word and teaching us so many lessons in the process. Ministering to others impacts our lives far more than our lives impacts those we minister to!

Do you want to grow in your faith and relationship with Christ? Start sharing your faith and serving Him!

If you are interested in joining us for next year's incredible Open Air Ministry Week, talk to Admissions to reserve your space in the WOLBI class of 2011-2012!!