Engaging Exposition

by Daniel L. Akin, Bill Curtis, Stephen Rummage

In the homiletics field, a text has been needed that blends hermeneutics, sermon development, and sermon delivery. Engaging Exposition fills that gap with what its experienced authors call a "3-D approach" to preaching.

Bill Curtis writes about the Discovery process—how to equip the student to discover the meaning of a biblical text by using sound principles of interpretation, and to move from biblical analysis to biblical interpretation. 

Danny Akin addresses the Development process—how to equip the student to develop expository sermons based upon results of the interpretive process, and to move from the Main Idea of the Text (MIT) to the completed sermon. 

Stephen Rummage explains the Delivery process—how to equip students to deliver expository messages using the completed sermon, and to move from an understanding of speech communication principles to persuasive delivery.

Genres: Theology, Christian

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Conner Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book, very good for new students wanting to understand the importance and skills of expositing Gods Word. I had an issue with the repetitiveness of the book and how the writing style was largely point-structured which lost continuity while reading.

[Eric Durso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Some parts not as good as others, but overall helpful. Glad I read it.

[Craig Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

The call to preach the Word of God is the highest calling of the pastor. For centuries preachers have recognized that it is not enough just to open ones Bible and speak your mind on a passage and call it preaching. When opening up the pages of Scripture we recognize that there is a way of interpreting, developing a sermon and delivering it that is most faithful to the text. Some might call this package expository preaching. Most books on preaching only focus on one or two of these parts. What is needed is a comprehensive book that presents the material in a way as to show how they all work together.

With the goal in mind to bring together hermeneutics, homiletics and delivery under the same roof Daniel Akin, Bill Curtis and Stephen Rummage have written Engaging Exposition. This book seeks to lay out a methodological strategy for hermeneutics and homiletics to work in harmony. Hermeneutics is done in the service of homiletics and homiletics is dependent upon good hermeneutics while both are packaged in good delivery.

The entire book is centered on developing the main idea of the text (MIT) hermeneutically and homiletically while following up with some tips on good delivery. Bill Curtis writes the section on hermeneutics, Danny Akin on homiletics and Stephen Rummage on delivery. The intended relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics that the authors wish to convey is succinctly summed up in these words by Curtis

"The study of a text is incomplete if it fails to assess its significance for today’s listeners. However, attempting to discover the significance of a text, without first gaining a thorough understanding of the author’s intended meaning, will be equally incomplete." (p. 13)

The first section of the book deals with hermeneutics. Throughout this section, Curtis covers the basics of hermeneutics that one would find in any standard hermeneutics text book such as genre, historical/geographical/theological context, genre specific outlines, characters, languages and the MIT. Since this section only covers about 120 pages the discussion is basic and most pastors will find much of the material repetitive to their hermeneutics classes and further reading. The difference in this discussion of hermeneutics is the intentional desire to help the preacher do their hermeneutics with their homiletics in mind. Throughout Curtis’ discussion of the basics of hermeneutics he weaves in the idea that this first step to preaching is not an end in itself. It is servicing the homiletical step.

The second section of the book deals with homiletics. Again, since this section only covers about 125 pages, the discussion is brief and basic. Topics such as illustrations, introductions, applications and conclusions are all discussed. It is here that the reader will begin to see how the book is written with the harmonious relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics in mind. Here, we move from the MIT hermeneutically to homiletically. Page 128 is perhaps the best page in the book and almost worth the price of the book alone. Akin lays out the grand plan of the books aim with the help of a triangular diagram. The outline of the book follows a seven step process:

1. Study the Scriptures – “Flesh”
2. Structure the Scriptures – “Skeleton”
3. The Main Idea of the Text (Hermeneutical focus)
4. The Bridge – Moving from the Then of the text to the Now of the audience.
5. The Main Idea of the Text (Homiletical focus)
6. Structure of the Message – “Skeleton”
7. Teach the Scriptures – “Flesh”

In my opinion, this is the best outline of the relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics I have ever encountered.

Rounding out the book is section three in dealing with the delivery of the message. While it may be one of the last things a preacher thinks about investing time in honing their skills at, message delivery is important because “no matter how careful you were in your exegesis and interpretation and no matter how skillfully you put together your message, your sermon will be evaluated on the basis of how you deliver it.” (p. 249) Delivery is the packaging that hermeneutics and homiletics come in when it comes to preaching. Throughout this final section, Rummage addresses the basics of message delivery by touching on subjects like how delivery works between the preacher and the listener, proper speech technique, speaking with your body and voice and the age old discussion of how and whether to use notes when preaching.

My only critique of the book is not so much in its content but in its range of use. While the authors don’t state they desire it to be used in hermeneutics classes I don’t recommend it. Further, while young pastors can greatly benefit from this (especially if they have only had one or two homiletics classes) most of the book will be unnecessary repetition for many seasoned pastors who will have (at least should have) experienced the relationship between the three areas discussed in this book and taken steps to improve them.

What Engaging Exposition has done is shown the reader that hermeneutics is not an end in itself, homiletics will fail if not built on a good hermeneutical foundation and good delivery skill matters if you want the MIT to be understood and effective for the intended audience. This book will be of great benefit for homiletics teachers and students in both college and graduate classes.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book covering all the basics of handling the text well. Some readers will have an issue with the third portion of the book as it speaks of how the pastor is to be perceived by the congregation. It covers dress, mannerisms, voice, weight, hairstyles, and other items that many people, frankly, don't want to be held accountable for.

[Michael Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall process laid out here. Some chapters very helpful, others not as much.

[Shannyn L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for the Leader Pastor

Good for the aspiring Pastor and the seasoned Pastor or Lay pastor.
I really enjoyed the book. Very educational, and informative.

[Michael Harshman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often books written by multiple authors (three in the case of Engaging Exposition) will feel somewhat disjointed and compartmentalized by the different authors. However, Engaging Exposition is a true exception to that as it flows naturally between the authors. It is very easy to read and understand, but at the same time, so practical and applicable. Engaging Exposition is written in three sections, each author taking one section. First is Discovery, written by Bill Curtis where he adeptly covers the Hermeneutics (or interpretation) of the Biblical text. Second, Daniel L. Akin covers Development of the message with excellent ideas and examples. Finally, Stephen Rummage competently covers the Delivery of the message, going into detail about vocalization, speech and many other very critical topics to engage with the hearers of the message.

The authors state at the beginning and at the end of the book that "Engaging exposition is not an option. It is an absolute necessity for the health of the body of Christ.". They really did an excellent job presenting their case in detail throughout this book

I really appreciated the first section part of this book, as the author, Bill Curtis, went over in-depth the Inductive Bible Study approach as it closely reflects many of the steps that we did in the Inductive Bible Study Classes we did at our church. The entire book is full of such valuable guidance, wisdom and practical advice from the aspect of studying and correctly interpreting God's Word, to crafting a sermon all the way to delivering that sermon in an effective manner. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that feels a calling to preach. This book will be referenced in my library for many years to come as I work on improving my preaching. In fact, after this review, I will be going through the book and start taking notes so I can start utilizing the approaches outlined in this book. Dare I say that Engaging Exposition is a "must have" for anyone interested in Expository preaching?... without question.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Reagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 stars reflects my enjoyment of the work, not the quality. I found the quality to be overly thorough, even becoming repetitive, though it’s exhaustive nature means that the book covers so many topics. Therefore, there are so many helpful discussions that many preachers probably haven’t given much consideration. So I’m the sense it is very useful. However, by the time you get 1/3 through the book, you start to feel that common themes and phrases are repeated to the point where you feel as though you just want to skip to the next chapter. Overall, this was a greatly helpful resource—I didn’t agree with everything (particularly visual appeal) but found most of it to be truly helpful in practically preparing to preach. I would recommend this book to people currently preaching or who are preparing to preach.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful overview of Homiletics and Hermeneutics by three fine preachers and authors. If you are familiar with the literature you'll find this to be a very enjoyable summary and reminder. If you are not, you'll be exposed to good thinking about moving from text to sermon.

At times a little narrow in perspective (leaves little room for the contributions of non-evangelicals) and occasionally and little unrealistic (read 7-10 commentaries each week), the material is helpful to preachers wanting to be faithful to preaching the truths of Scripture.

[Terry Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

This work is an excellent and I believe necessary work for every preacher, pastor or Bible teacher to have and use. I will reference it as long as I have strength to prepare and preach Gods precious word!

[Jonathan Klimek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mechanics or Preaching — Helpful!

Very helpful book for preachers. The authors discuss every aspect of the sermon from the exegesis to exposition, including each component and delivery.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like Danny Akins class

[Romans Sendriks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide on preparing sermons. Every pastor who desires to preach biblically should have this book in their library.

[Michael Dionne]

The last section was the most useful.