Proclaiming the Word: Principles and Practices for Expository Preaching

by David Jackman

David J. Jackman Presents a Convenient, Accessible Primer on Expository Preaching

God uses his people to accomplish his work through his word. Every Bible teacher—from pastors and small-group leaders to Sunday school volunteers—has the task and privilege of rightly handling the revelation God has given. To do this effectively, they need to make Scripture the driving force of their preaching.

In this convenient handbook, David J. Jackman offers readers the basic principles of biblical exposition that will equip them to faithfully study, prepare, and deliver sermons and Bible talks. Sharing from his 30 years of experience equipping pastors, he gives readers the skills to study and convey the context of Bible passages, encourage meaningful application of Scripture, and more. Proclaiming the Word features several practical teaching examples along with a sample assessment in the back to help Bible expositors submit their sermons to the word of God. 

Handbook for Expository  Written for pastors, leaders, and teachers at every level of church life  Presents key skills for expository preaching, including understanding biblical context, following the tone of the original Bible writers, and questioning how personal theological frameworks affect the interpretation of Scripture  Teaches pastors how to contextualize Bible talks for modern audiences and purposefully apply Scripture in their own lives

Genres: Christian

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The task of preaching is the most important priority for any lead pastor. As such, pastors must devote enormous amounts of time, energy, and prayer in order to feed the people of God in the way he requires. David Jackman’s book, Proclaiming the Word is an encouraging book for expositors who need an additional tool for their preaching toolbox.

Part 1: Basic Principles

The first part explores eight principles that help ground preachers in the Word of God. The author focus on a range of topics from relevancy, the case for expository preaching, challenges, preparation tips, and perseverance in the pulpit. Each chapter is short and to the point and is sure to elevate the commitment of preaching God’s Word. The insight is deeply biblical, constantly drawing readers back to the sacred text, bolstering their confidence and beckoning them to faithfully wield the sword of truth.

Part 2: Developing Skills

Part two what one would expect in a preaching book. Jackman helps preachers refine their preaching skills by issuing cautions and setting forth basic guidelines for biblical homiletics. Like the first part, the counsel is rooted in Scripture. The author draws on years of personal preaching experience and shares a wealth of knowledge with his readers.

Part 3: Rightly Handling the Word of Truth

The concluding section explores basic hermeneutics that alert preachers to the importance of sound interpretation. Continuity and discontinuity is discussed along with the importance of maintaining a redemptive historical approach to Scripture, with Christ at the center of God’s purposes.

Proclaiming the Word: Principles & Practices For Expository Preaching is a worthy book that should be devoured by every expositor. It is a welcome addition to the growing number of resources committed to developing expository preachers.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Michael Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proclaiming The Word is a great read on preparing biblical sermons, around 270 pages, the book covers many topics, including:

1. Why preaching matters to people.
2. Make God's Word and not culture or humanity the drive force in preaching.
3. The preacher needs to spend time alone with God.
4. 7 strategies for confronting challenges to ministers.
5. God's approval > people's approval.
6. Instead of imitating someone, be yourself when preaching.
7. Ensure the message is always Christ-centered.
8. 5 ways to keep and practice your priorities when preparing and preaching.
9. 6 ways the preacher can persevere in the ministry.
10. Principles of expository preaching.

What I like about this title: easy to read and understand, smooth transition from chapter to chapter and topic to topic, includes a good scripture index, covers many relevant topics when the preacher is behind the pulpit preaching and away from the pulpit when interacting time with people, good emphasis on the importance of solitude when preparing spiritually for the message, and overall a great title. Recommended.

I was given a review copy by Crossway in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed much of what this book had to offer. I've read quite a few books on preaching but I do think there were some unique contributions. I thought that the many examples Jackman included at the end of each chapter to illustrate that chapter's primary point were very helpful. There's quite a bit of wisdom found in these pages.

If you are looking for a book that can help you with the actual writing process of a sermon, this book may disappoint you a little bit. The strength of this book is the material on how to study a text of Scripture to find the main idea and the "transformational intent" so that your explanation and application are reflecting the author's original purpose. Obviously that's paramount for anyone who loves expository preaching, but I found myself wanting a little bit more when it comes to the actual construction of a sermon outline and manuscript. Overall, though, this is a great resource and would serve preachers will.

[Conrad Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proclaiming the Word is a fantastic introduction to expository preaching, offering both foundational principles and practical guidance for those seeking to faithfully preach Scripture. The book lays out essential convictions regarding expository preaching, underscoring the authority and sufficiency of the Bible as the central foundation for Christian proclamation. It also provides a clear, general approach to crafting an expositional sermon, making it an invaluable resource for both new and seasoned preachers. With its commitment to biblical fidelity and practical application, this book is an excellent resource for those wanting to grow in their preaching.

[Matt Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Will revisit many times.