Expository preaching — preaching that takes its content, structure, and application from the biblical text itself — is one of the most powerful tools a small church pastor has. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many pastors assume expository preaching requires extensive seminary training, access to a large library of commentaries, and 20 hours of weekly preparation. None of those things are true.
Expository preaching requires one thing above all others: a commitment to letting the text say what it says, to the people who need to hear it, in language they can understand. A bi-vocational pastor with 8 hours of weekly prep time can preach expositionally. A pastor without formal theological training can preach expositionally. What it requires is not resources — it is discipline and method.
What Expository Preaching Is (and Is Not)
Expository preaching is preaching in which the main point of the sermon is the main point of the text. The text drives the structure, the content, and the application. The preacher’s job is to understand what the text says, why it says it, and what it means for the people sitting in front of them — and then to communicate that clearly.
Expository preaching is not verse-by-verse commentary. A sermon that works through every word of a passage without a clear main point is not expository preaching — it is a lecture. Expository preaching has a clear, single main point that comes from the text, and everything in the sermon serves that point.
Expository preaching is not limited to long passages. A single verse, a paragraph, or a chapter can all be preached expositionally. The length of the passage is less important than the commitment to letting the passage drive the sermon.
Why Expository Preaching Works Especially Well in Small Churches
Small church pastors often feel pressure to preach topically — to address the felt needs of the congregation, to respond to current events, to cover the topics people are asking about. Topical preaching has its place. But expository preaching through books of the Bible has specific advantages for small churches.
It removes the weekly decision of what to preach. A bi-vocational pastor who is preaching through Romans does not spend Monday morning deciding what to preach. They open to the next passage. This saves significant time and mental energy.
It covers the whole counsel of Scripture. Topical preaching tends to return to the same themes repeatedly. Expository preaching through books of the Bible ensures that the congregation hears the full range of biblical teaching over time — including the passages the pastor would not naturally choose.
It builds theological depth over time. A congregation that has heard expository preaching through Romans, Galatians, and the Gospel of John has a theological foundation that topical preaching rarely produces.
It protects the pastor from the congregation’s preferences. When the text says something difficult, the expository preacher can say honestly: “This is what the text says. I did not choose this passage to address anyone specifically. This is simply where we are in our study.” This is a significant pastoral protection.
A Practical Method for Expository Sermon Preparation
Step 1: Read the passage repeatedly
Read the passage you are preaching at least five times before you do anything else. Read it in your primary translation. Read it in one or two other translations. Read it aloud. Read the surrounding context. The goal is to become so familiar with the passage that you could describe it accurately without looking at it.
Step 2: Identify the main point
Ask: what is the one thing this passage is saying? Write it in one sentence. This is the hardest step and the most important. If you cannot state the main point of the passage in one sentence, you are not ready to preach it. Everything else in the sermon will serve this one sentence.
Step 3: Understand the context
Ask three context questions: What comes before this passage and how does it connect? What comes after this passage and how does it connect? What was the original audience’s situation and how does that shape the meaning? You do not need to answer these questions exhaustively. You need to answer them well enough to understand why the author wrote this passage and what they intended it to accomplish.
Step 4: Consult one or two commentaries
After you have done your own work with the text, consult one or two commentaries to check your understanding and fill in gaps. Free resources: Constable’s Expository Notes (available at planobiblechapel.org), Bible Gateway’s commentary resources, and the ESV Study Bible notes. Paid resources: any good single-volume commentary on the book you are preaching.
Step 5: Build the outline from the text
Your outline should reflect the structure of the passage, not a structure you impose on it. If the passage has three movements, your sermon has three movements. If the passage makes one sustained argument, your sermon makes one sustained argument. Let the text tell you how to organize the sermon.
Step 6: Find one illustration and one application
For a bi-vocational pastor with limited prep time, one strong illustration and one specific application are enough. The illustration makes the main point concrete. The application tells the congregation what to do with what they have heard. Both should be specific, not generic.
Step 7: Write the introduction and conclusion last
The introduction should create a reason to keep listening. The conclusion should land the main point one final time and state the application clearly. Write both after you have written the body of the sermon, not before.
A complete sermon preparation system designed for pastors who work full-time jobs. Includes a weekly rhythm, a passage study method, and a delivery checklist — all designed to fit into the margins of a busy life.
Where to Start: Recommended Books for Expository Preaching Series
Not every book of the Bible is equally accessible for a first expository series. Here are recommendations by congregation type:
For a congregation new to expository preaching: The Gospel of Mark (fast-paced, narrative, accessible), Philippians (short, joyful, theologically rich), or Ruth (narrative, emotionally engaging, theologically deep).
For a congregation ready for deeper teaching: Romans 1-8, the Gospel of John, or Galatians.
For a bi-vocational pastor with limited prep time: Shorter books work better. Philippians (4 chapters), Colossians (4 chapters), 1 John (5 chapters), or Jonah (4 chapters) can each be preached in 8 to 12 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is expository preaching?
Expository preaching is preaching in which the main point of the sermon is the main point of the text. The text drives the structure, the content, and the application. The preacher’s job is to understand what the text says, why it says it, and what it means for the people sitting in front of them — and then to communicate that clearly.
How much time does expository sermon preparation take?
A thorough expository sermon can be prepared in 6 to 10 hours by a pastor who has developed a consistent method. A bi-vocational pastor with 8 hours of weekly prep time can preach expositionally. The key is a consistent method that eliminates wasted time and focuses effort on the most important steps.
Do I need seminary training to preach expositionally?
No. Expository preaching requires discipline and method, not formal training. The most important skills — reading carefully, identifying the main point, understanding context, and communicating clearly — can be developed by any pastor who is committed to the work. Seminary training helps, but it is not required.
What is the best book of the Bible to start an expository preaching series?
For a congregation new to expository preaching, the Gospel of Mark, Philippians, or Ruth are excellent starting points. They are accessible, theologically rich, and short enough to complete in 8 to 12 weeks. For a bi-vocational pastor with limited prep time, shorter books work better than longer ones.