| In revealing God’s Word, one of the best ways | | | | within the context of the book. Some say that it allows |
| to do it is through expository teaching. Expository | | | | the Spirit of God to speak with clarity through His |
| teaching is an instruction method of the scriptures that | | | | Word. Only expository preaching has the functional |
| can be taught two different ways: verse by verse or | | | | goal of explaining and applying the whole Bible at their |
| topically. | | | | fullness. |
| By following “verse by verse”, it is simply | | | | Expository teaching takes one Genesis through |
| studying a book of the Bible from beginning to end. | | | | Revelations, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. |
| This is viewed as a very effective way of learning, as | | | | The Bible will confirm its own stories through repetition |
| it allows the full range of each scripture to be | | | | of statement, as a verse in Revelations may not be as |
| absorbed. It also shows the student to see how the | | | | clear unless it was referred to prior in the Old |
| Word of God can be emphasized when applied to | | | | Testament. Each scripture is investigated in a literal |
| any given subject. This is also known as a | | | | sense, taking meaning from each passage. |
| micro-exposition. | | | | Many sermons are based on the concept of |
| The other method known as “topically” is | | | | expository preaching, which was a method of the |
| accomplished by reviewing what a Scripture says as | | | | Reformers, and preachers like Augustine and John |
| a whole in regards to a particular topic. In order to gain | | | | Chrysostom. Some argue that this method is outdated, |
| a complete and full understanding of a Scripture on an | | | | but it still confirms the meanings of each book of the |
| individual topic, this style of teaching is much more | | | | Bible by being relevant to today’s issues. While |
| effective. This type of teaching allows a teacher to | | | | there is historical context that is not necessarily |
| pick and choose their topic, their verses and their | | | | timeless within each book, the underlying meanings that |
| points. The teacher is allowed to dictate the flow of | | | | each author intended. |
| the lesson, while still following the Bible verse by verse. | | | | This systematic approach to teaching scriptures |
| This type of expository teaching has also been | | | | benefits young people in Sunday School to those |
| referred to as a macro-exposition. | | | | wishing to have a deeper understanding later in life. |
| These types of teaching methods do take vastly | | | | Expository teaching methods have been ingrained in |
| more time, but are more comprehensive. It takes more | | | | traditional Bible studies and are proven to be very |
| discipline to study the Scriptures verse by verse, and | | | | successful in understanding the word. |