Hearing Both Sides Of The Preaching Debate

I greatly prefer the practice of preaching consecutively through books of the bible. From time to time, I need to remind myself why this approach to preaching is so valuable. Clint Arnold has done a fine job of summarising some of the reasons why consecutive expository preaching can be our primary method.

1. It is the best way to feed the sheep a balanced diet.
2. It enables you to treat hard topics without being second-guessed.
3. It helps to insure that you preach the Scripture and not yourself.
4. It doesn’t have to be boring and lacking in relevance.
5. Expository preaching is and should be application oriented.
6. Expository preaching models how to read Scripture in context.
7. There is a long history of this kind of preaching in the church—with great impact!

On the other hand, we need to hear critiques of the consecutive method as the only way to preach. Iain H. Murray raises a number of potential criticism of the consecutive method,  which should be considered.

1. Not every preacher is as capable in utilising this method.

2. The goal of preaching is not mainly to communicate as much information as possible.

3.  Historically, many have distinguished between a sermon and a lecture (ie. consecutive expository preaching).

4.  Sermons may be less memorable than if one preached on individual texts, and fastened those texts in the minds of the listeners.

5.  Evangelistic preaching is harder to do using the consecutive model.