Biblical Exposition: Introduction, Conclusion, and Arrangement

1. Brevity

The goal should be to be brief. You don't want to distract from the main body of the message.

2. Interest

You want to "hook" the hearers to your theme with your introduction. They need to know that they're going to learn something from God's Word today.

3. Relevance

The hearers need to know that they're going to learn something directly from God that they can apply to their daily lives.

2. List the types of conclusion that you will use and state the special value of each.

1. Recapitalization-

Recapitalization is valuable because the conclusion should summarize the main truths of the exposition.

2. Application-

Application is valuable because the conclusion should tell the listeners exactly what God wants them to do with the Word which you have given them.

3. Appeal-

Appeal is valuable because the conclusion should motivate, confront, challenge, encourage, or comfort the hearers. It should quietly scream out, "This is what God says, now what are you going to do about it?"

3. Discuss briefly the values of arrangement, phrasing, and vocabulary, in producing an effective exposition.

1. Arrangement-

Expositors should seek to arrange their messages to obtain audience reception. Some place the most important statement first; others assign the last place to the most important. Some use narration, others use supportive statements. The pattern used to arrange the propositions varies with the individuality of the expositor, as well as the varied response of the audience. Each method should be tried, and whichever produces the most or best response, then the expositor should bank on that method until the audience or time of service is changed.

2. Phrasing-

The phrasing used by expositors affects the meaning of the message both in the written and oral presentation. You're dealing with God's Holy Word, and often times the church is lacking in her responsibility to have a Berean mindset. So, we need to be careful exactly how we phrase the message, for they often bank on every word that we say. Pastors listen to other pastors and put together in their minds that which is left out of the message; however, often times lay-people, and especially, baby Christians aren't mature enough to do this.

3. Vocabulary-

The vocabulary of expositors (simple, academic, colloquial, dignified, coarse) affects the audience's reception and evaluation of the exposition and the expositor. The goal should be to communicate on the level of your audience. You want everyone to be able to understand. Any word that is above the audience's perceived vocabulary capabilities should be explained.