Preparing for Sunday - The Importance of Expository Preaching: An Annual Reminder

January 7, 2016 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

We hear a lot of preaching at our church. How would you describe the purpose of preaching?
Where would you go in the Bible to describe to a person why preaching is so important.
List as many reasons as you can as to why expository preaching is essential to a Christian's growth? To a congregation's health?
Read 2 Timonty 4:1-5. Why is preaching the Bible important and what are its primary challenges?

What are the primary challenges to your personal appreciation for and use of regular expository preaching?
How could you personally make the most of the preaching you are exposed to?
What would be the effects on a congregation's life if there was little expository preaching? List as many as you can think of. How many of these can you associate Scripture with?
How could you assist others in appreciating the value of preaching?

What are the chief hindrances to your personal ability to listen well to what is preached on the Lord's Day? What needs to change in your routine or habits this week to overcome these hindrances?
How could you pray today for the effectiveness of the Word of God in your heart - in the hearts of those who will gather - as it is preached this week? Each week?
Who will you talk to today about the content and implications of the sermon? How could you build this into your weekly schedule?
Pray for those who will be leading our gathering this week: Dawson Bryant, music; Todd Arnold, Elders' prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Spend some time preparing for worship in the music below, but more importantly the lyrics. Pray that our church would come together as one to sing praise to the Lord, "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God". (Col 3:16)