Equipping Men to Be Expository Preachers

Abstract

This project emulates the sixteenth-century practices of the early Puritan prophesying meetings to equip preachers to be faithful expositors of the Bible. A definition of expository preaching is provided and a process is presented to instill this method and manner of preaching in several key lay individuals at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas.

Chapter 1 describes the ministry context at Emmanuel Baptist Church and briefly explains the project’s goals, rationale, key definitions, and research methodology.

Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological support for the project. First Timothy 3:1-7 sets the biblical qualifications for an overseer. Second Timothy 1:13, 2:1-7, and 3:14-4:2 set forth Paul’s mandate to Timothy to preach the Scriptures and entrust the preaching ministry to others. Matthew 28:16-20 demonstrates that the Great Commission envisions that one generation will expound God’s Word to the next. Romans 10:14-15 shows that the church is the only institution that Christ expects will recognize, train, and send out subsequent generations of preachers.

Chapter 3 provides the theoretical support for the project. First, the principles and practices of expository excellence are set forth. Second, the Puritan preaching workshops of the sixteenth century are described, which were used as a model for Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Chapter 4 provides the details of the project, and chapter 5 discusses its success and gives an overall evaluation.