Preaching Styles

It seems like today there is a great emphasis that pastors and teachers should only us what is called expository preaching and teaching. I see this shared on social media almost daily. While this is one style that we can use to present the Word of God in our preaching and teaching it by no means is the only style to be used. There are various styles used to proclaim the message. They are expository, textual, topical and narrative. Wisdom would call for a pastor to us all four styles of preaching and teaching. I believe it is unwise for us to be critical of someone that may us a style different than what we may use.

I personally use expository, topical, textual and narrative in my teaching and preaching. I came to this conclusion, not by looking to others for my pattern of teaching and preaching, but by looking at how Jesus and the Apostle Paul delivered their messages.

Jesus used, parables, object lessons, narratives, topics and textual in sharing the gospel message. The sermon on the mount is found in Matthew chapters 5,6 and 7 Jesus covers in this sermon a multitude of topics that we face daily. Anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, loving the enemy, giving, praying, fasting, laying up treasures, anxiety, and judging other for just a few topics. He used object lessons such as sowing the seed. He used parables in order to explain a principle. The apostle Paul usually began his letters by teaching us doctrine and finishing the letter explaining how we can practice that doctrine. Paul deals with many topics and themes in his letters; in which many can be unfolded in a textual sermon. Jesus used a narrative when dealing with the women taken in adultery or the women at the well.

I believe no matter what style we use in our preaching and teaching we would be amiss if we did not challenge our listeners with how they can apply the Word of God to their lives and give them the help they need to make that application.

We should all be humbled that we have the privilege of sharing the Word of God. I encourage you as a teacher or a preacher to study the various styles and to use the one or ones you are most comfortable with.

Above all, praise God the Word is taught and preached!!

Albert Schuessler