Preparing an Expository Message

Here’s an eight step process I created for developing and delivering an expository message:

1. Decide. First, you prayerfully decide what passage you’ll preach on.
2. Dig. Second, you study (dig) like crazy!
3. Discover. Third, you discover the big idea (what’s this passage about in one sentence).
4. Divide. Fourth, you divide the passage into points (when applicable).
5. Develop. Fifth, you develop each point by explaining it, illustrating it, and then applying it.
6. Detail. Sixth, you detail the sermon with complimentary quotes, videos, testimonies, etc.
7. Drill. Seventh, you practice your sermon over and over and over and over.
8. Deliver. Finally, after having studied to “shew thyself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV) and having practiced over and over, you deliver the message in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Having a step by step guide keeps me busy working on the sermon vs constantly asking myself “What do I do next?”

When preaching a one point message I use a different approach, which I’ll cover in my next post.