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Expository Listening: A Practical Handbook For Hearing And Doing God's Word
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”––James 1:22 In many people’s mind, if they don’t get anything out of the sermon, it’s the preacher’s fault. But that’s only half true. The Bible teaches that listeners must partner with the preacher so that the Word of God accomplishes its intended purpose of transforming their life. Expository Listening is your handbook on biblical listening. It is designed to equip you not only to understand what true, biblical preaching sounds like, but also how to receive it, and ultimately, what to do about it. You need to know how to look for the Word of God, to love the Word of God, and to live the Word of God. In this way, God and His Word will be honored and glorified through your life.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
39 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 24, 2018
There are many books out there on preaching, not many on listening. An excellent book on the importance of the listener, and the listener's preparation and application to what is heard through preaching. Extremely helpful book, would highly recommend this book. Would be a good book for a small group to go over.
March 18, 2016
A Masters Seminary graduate (John MacArthur's training center), Ken Ramey has seen a pressing need to author a basic 6th-grade instruction manual on how to listen. Included are suggestions to watch less television, play less video games, and get plenty of sleep Saturday evening. Thrown in at no extra charge are the obligatory quotes from the Puritans.
My suggestion? Save your time and money, this book will not have a long shelf life.
My suggestion? Save your time and money, this book will not have a long shelf life.
March 24, 2024
It’s not a bad book. It brought out some good points but I felt like this could have been a booklet. He repeats himself or uses quotes a lot that repeat what he’s already stated. I appreciate the content, though.
December 10, 2016
I agree with the author about the importance of biblical, expository preaching but disagree about his rigid adherence to a particular paradigm. Rodney Reeves is one preacher who has shown me you can use the Socratic method in expositing a passage-- asking questions of your audience, as Paul likely did when he reasoned with listeners and skeptics, as a powerful way to keep your audience engaged. Studies have repeatedly found that the "sage on stage" lecture method that Ramey tacitly holds up in this book is one of the least-effective ways to teach as measured by the audience's retention of information. If the preacher's goal is to get your audience to remember God's word and retain his exposition, then he should be more creative than simply following a traditional format. Ramey is like Mark Dever and others who pine for the days of the Puritans and hours-long sermons. Just because the Puritans did it, does not mean it's effective or even necessary. Ironically, Ramey understands James 1:19 ("Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak) to be remarking on the practice common in James' day of people commenting on and asking questions during the sermon. It appears James does not forbid this practice but rather seeks humility and patience among the audience. Since Ramey claims that text gives evidence of that practice, then I would point to it and Acts 17:17 as evidence that there is more than just a one-sided option to expository preaching.
Alistair Begg, for example, believes that expository preaching should be done in under 30 minutes, and he does it in about 25. But I have not found any other expository preachers that hold to that, most don't mind waxing on for an hour. (I got this book by recommendation of Begg's podcast, by the way.) Ramey holds up Begg as a model preacher but does not mention this.
Page 56 holds the best explanation of what biblical (ie: expository) preaching is all about:
"If after listening to a sermon you do not have a better understanding of God's purpose for your life, then you have not heard biblical preaching. You may have received a few practical pointers about how to get along with your spouse, raise your kids, or manage your finances. You may have laughed and even ried and left feeling encouraged and motivated. But what you heard did not truly qualify as biblical preaching. That's not to say the Bible was never referenced. But in the topical/textual style of preaching that has become so popular today, there is a tendency for verses to get skimmed over, or worse, ripped out of their context and used to make a good point but, unfortunately, not the point God intended...'springboard' preaching is the norm, Bibles are faithfully carried and reverently read at the beginning of the sermon but...are never referred to again. In churches where topical sermons are typical, few if any feel the need to bring their Bibles because they are never encouraged to use them since the verses mentioned in the sermon are conveniently displayed on a screen or some kind of fill-in-the-blank sheet in the bulletin."
One aspect I enjoyed was the reminder that sermons do two things: harden and soften hearts. Preachers who see the hardening aspect should not be discouraged, many prophets were told their words would fall on deaf ears and would be used to harden the hearts of the listeners. John Piper is quoted as saying
'Even when preaching the Word of God does not soften and save and heal, it is not necessarily ineffective. This preaching of the Word may be doing God's terrible work of Judgment. It may be hardening people, and making their ears so dull that they will never want to hear again' (p. 29).
The purpose of this book is to put the impetus on the listener both to be attentive and to be a "doer of the Word:"
"Listening is hard work because application is inherent in it. You have to connect the information to your life, to do something about what you hear...Failure to apply a sermon is not just lazy listening; it is sin (James 4:17)" (p. 87).
Ramey closes the book with some suggestions on how to come to church prepared. Ideally, your pastor follows a biblical preaching model of going verse-by-verse through the text so you know what's coming next week. You should already have read and spent time prayerfully meditating on the text, asking God to reveal more understanding to you through your pastor's exposition. Ramey includes tips such as "eat a good breakfast" (p. 112). But mental alertness is a function of many other activities, like mental and physical exercise, that are neglected by Ramey. Who doesn't understand that in order not to be hungry by noon one needs to "eat a good breakfast"?
Ramey writes as though one can never have too much biblical preaching, but this ignores the fact that being doers of the Word requires activities that are not listening to sermons. We can worship God through our work, our singing, playing with our children, etc. Ramey also writes as if people do not have access to expository sermons except by their own pastors on Sunday. I listen to a dozen or so sermons a week by various pastors via podcast (see list on the right). Those sermons can be sped up to save time-- all of us can think and process information faster than we can speak. I recommend that as a good way to get biblical preaching.
In all, this book preaches to the choir which is why it is recommended by so many proverbial choral directors. I give it 3 stars out of 5.
Alistair Begg, for example, believes that expository preaching should be done in under 30 minutes, and he does it in about 25. But I have not found any other expository preachers that hold to that, most don't mind waxing on for an hour. (I got this book by recommendation of Begg's podcast, by the way.) Ramey holds up Begg as a model preacher but does not mention this.
Page 56 holds the best explanation of what biblical (ie: expository) preaching is all about:
"If after listening to a sermon you do not have a better understanding of God's purpose for your life, then you have not heard biblical preaching. You may have received a few practical pointers about how to get along with your spouse, raise your kids, or manage your finances. You may have laughed and even ried and left feeling encouraged and motivated. But what you heard did not truly qualify as biblical preaching. That's not to say the Bible was never referenced. But in the topical/textual style of preaching that has become so popular today, there is a tendency for verses to get skimmed over, or worse, ripped out of their context and used to make a good point but, unfortunately, not the point God intended...'springboard' preaching is the norm, Bibles are faithfully carried and reverently read at the beginning of the sermon but...are never referred to again. In churches where topical sermons are typical, few if any feel the need to bring their Bibles because they are never encouraged to use them since the verses mentioned in the sermon are conveniently displayed on a screen or some kind of fill-in-the-blank sheet in the bulletin."
One aspect I enjoyed was the reminder that sermons do two things: harden and soften hearts. Preachers who see the hardening aspect should not be discouraged, many prophets were told their words would fall on deaf ears and would be used to harden the hearts of the listeners. John Piper is quoted as saying
'Even when preaching the Word of God does not soften and save and heal, it is not necessarily ineffective. This preaching of the Word may be doing God's terrible work of Judgment. It may be hardening people, and making their ears so dull that they will never want to hear again' (p. 29).
The purpose of this book is to put the impetus on the listener both to be attentive and to be a "doer of the Word:"
"Listening is hard work because application is inherent in it. You have to connect the information to your life, to do something about what you hear...Failure to apply a sermon is not just lazy listening; it is sin (James 4:17)" (p. 87).
Ramey closes the book with some suggestions on how to come to church prepared. Ideally, your pastor follows a biblical preaching model of going verse-by-verse through the text so you know what's coming next week. You should already have read and spent time prayerfully meditating on the text, asking God to reveal more understanding to you through your pastor's exposition. Ramey includes tips such as "eat a good breakfast" (p. 112). But mental alertness is a function of many other activities, like mental and physical exercise, that are neglected by Ramey. Who doesn't understand that in order not to be hungry by noon one needs to "eat a good breakfast"?
Ramey writes as though one can never have too much biblical preaching, but this ignores the fact that being doers of the Word requires activities that are not listening to sermons. We can worship God through our work, our singing, playing with our children, etc. Ramey also writes as if people do not have access to expository sermons except by their own pastors on Sunday. I listen to a dozen or so sermons a week by various pastors via podcast (see list on the right). Those sermons can be sped up to save time-- all of us can think and process information faster than we can speak. I recommend that as a good way to get biblical preaching.
In all, this book preaches to the choir which is why it is recommended by so many proverbial choral directors. I give it 3 stars out of 5.
October 26, 2024
Great insights on how to read scripture and listen to a sermon. It’s something every Christian should read.
September 2, 2021
This book lays a great foundation for the importance of listening. Connecting the dots that an expository listener is an effectual doer.
However, this book falls short (and why I docked stars) is that it gives recommendations on how to be attentive, but not how to improve your listening comprehension. I believe those are two different things. You can sit there quietly and earnestly, but if you can’t comprehend the argumentation the preacher is laying before you in real time, then you aren’t that much better off than before.
Perhaps I simply had the wrong expectation of the book! I had hoped it would outline how to discern the main point of a sermon, identify supporting facts and if the chain of logic holds true. Perhaps even suggesting exercises on how to do that.
However, this book falls short (and why I docked stars) is that it gives recommendations on how to be attentive, but not how to improve your listening comprehension. I believe those are two different things. You can sit there quietly and earnestly, but if you can’t comprehend the argumentation the preacher is laying before you in real time, then you aren’t that much better off than before.
Perhaps I simply had the wrong expectation of the book! I had hoped it would outline how to discern the main point of a sermon, identify supporting facts and if the chain of logic holds true. Perhaps even suggesting exercises on how to do that.
January 1, 2013
An excellent book that clearly teaches that we must listen purposely with an intent to act. The author offers so many valuable truths at how we can accomplish active listening that we may mature in Christ and warns that failure to do so is heaping condemnation on us at the day of judgment. I highly recommend this resource!
October 30, 2014
I liked the big idea of this book - that being a good listener is as important as a good preacher/speaker. We definitely are a generation of lazy listeners. However, the author irritated me with his bossy tone and presenting his conclusions as fact, when there are definitely other viewpoints, equally as valid. A good reminder, but I wouldn't excitedly recommend it.
January 3, 2018
Si entiendes inglés, no dejes de leer este libro. "Escuchar es un trabajo duro porque la aplicación es inherente a ello. Tienes que conectar la información a tu vida, hacer algo con lo que oyes. Una vez que oyes un sermón, la pelota está en tu campo. Fallar en aplicar un sermón no es simplemente un acto de holgazanería, es pecado." Creo que estas palabras del autor Ken Ramey, resumen de alguna manera lo que signfica este libro. Es un libro acerca de escuchar para obedecer la Palabra de Dios. Escuchar y discernir, escuchar y crecer. En un tiempo donde esperamos que la iglesia posea sana doctrina y teología bíblica en los púlpitos, no es menos importante esperar que la iglesia posea bancos con una sana audiología biblica de manera que el crecimiento sea directamente proporcional a la buena enseñanza que se otorga. Ramey va a través de los versículos tan conocidos en la Escritura sobre escuchar y poner en práctica, tales como Santiago 1:19-25. No es enseñanza nueva, es enseñanza bien explicada y bien documentada. Quiera el Señor ayudarme a mí y a quienes lean este libro para vivir a la altura de las verdades contenidas. Si eres pastor, no dudes en leerlo, si eres un miembro en la iglesia, con mayor razón. Dios te bendiga.
June 17, 2021
In the age of inattention that we currently live in, this was a valuable reminder that listening to preaching and the word of God is not a passive activity but an active one. We as a culture have become full of hearing. It is common to see people browsing Facebook while “watching” TV, or otherwise not paying attention. But we ought to give the preaching of the word our full attention, and that requires not just hearing but also obeying what is taught (as long as it is in line with the word, of course). I thought this book had some great suggestions on how to help yourself listen better, and even though some of them were basic I thought they were valuable. Sometimes we get so hard of hearing that we forget even the most basic of truths.
April 13, 2020
Ramsey's last line sums up his book:
"In the end, it will all come down to what you did with what God has said in His Word. So listen to every sermon in light of eternity, because every sermon is truly a matter of life and death." p110
Most helpful series of questions to ask after a sermon:
Based on 2 Tim 3:16-17 ask yourself:
1. What did I learn? (teaching)
2. Where do I fall short? (reproof)
3. What do I need to do about it? (correction)
4. How can I make this a consistent part of my life? (training in righteousness)
"In the end, it will all come down to what you did with what God has said in His Word. So listen to every sermon in light of eternity, because every sermon is truly a matter of life and death." p110
Most helpful series of questions to ask after a sermon:
Based on 2 Tim 3:16-17 ask yourself:
1. What did I learn? (teaching)
2. Where do I fall short? (reproof)
3. What do I need to do about it? (correction)
4. How can I make this a consistent part of my life? (training in righteousness)
December 30, 2020
This was quite good. Ken Ramey rightly argues that hearers of God’s Word are equally responsible as the preachers of it. I like that he included many Puritan references that make this point as well. There were a few areas where I disagreed, including his argument that it’s unhelpful to involve children in the worship service before they are capable of understanding the preacher. I agreed with his emphasis on personal commitment and preparation, but I think that in doing so, he inadvertently presents an individualistic outlook towards corporate worship. Still a good book if you can navigate around those issues.
September 16, 2018
When I first saw this book, I recognized the need for it, and bought it. It sat on my shelf reminding me of the responsibility of the congregation to become active, engaged, listeners, instead of putting all the responsibility on the preacher to keep them engaged. But having read it, I'm sorry to report that the (brilliant) title was more edifying than the book. There was not a lot to object to, but there is very little of profundity, and what there is, is generally quotation from others.
July 8, 2018
Deeply convicting
I can't express how deeply convicting I found this book. It really made me reflect on my heart and attitude in relation to listening and doing the word of God delivered through preaching
I can't express how deeply convicting I found this book. It really made me reflect on my heart and attitude in relation to listening and doing the word of God delivered through preaching
September 26, 2018
This is a great book on learning to listen and to apply it. Or hearing with the intent to obey. This book truly changes how I listen to those who teach and preach the word of God.
September 12, 2019
This book renewed the importance of listening. How Sunday isn’t just the pastors job, but as a believer in Christ it’s your job to be ready to listen!
March 2, 2021
This book is a must read for every church goer.
January 30, 2022
A great little book that is sure to improve the amount if spiritual nourishment received from the weekly sermon.
April 9, 2022
Simple and practical advice.
July 6, 2023
Helpful and cuts to the heart.
February 10, 2024
Excellent practical book! A must read in our consumer society.
August 11, 2024
Very sobering
This book really makes you reflect on what you believe. Is a tremendous help in being doers of the word and applying effective ears to our hearts.
Thank you so much!!!!
This book really makes you reflect on what you believe. Is a tremendous help in being doers of the word and applying effective ears to our hearts.
Thank you so much!!!!
January 31, 2012
About fourteen years ago I quit listening to preaching. That’s when I became the pastor of Community Bible Church. I became the preacher instead of the listener. I don’t know if hearing myself while preaching counts as listening. I do listen to the recording of my Sunday sermon on Monday. However it is more embarrassment than edification. Of course I do listen to recordings of other people preach, but seldom do I get to hear a “live” sermon.
How many sermons have you listened to over the span of your life? How many do you actually remember? How many made a difference? Ken Ramey wants to make your sermon listening a more interactive and life changing experience. In his book Expository Listening he writes there “is no telling the dynamic impact the Spirit of God will make through the Word of God any time someone who faithfully explains and applies God’s Word comes in contact with someone who faithfully listens to and obeys God’s Word” (p 4). So how does one faithfully listen and obey?
He begins with a theology of listening. When a man is faithfully preaching the Word of God it is actually the voice of God being heard. This is why listening plays such a dominant role throughout the Bible. He sums up what the Scripture teaches with four theological statements (p 11).
God has spoken and commands us to listen and obey what He has said.
We all fail to listen to and obey God and deserve to be punished by Him.
God grants us the ability to listen to and obey Him by His Holy Spirit, whom we receive through faith in Jesus Christ.
God promises to bless us now and for all eternity if we listen to and obey Him.
In his third chapter Ramey gives us his suggestions on being the best listener possible. “When the preacher does his part and you do your part, God’s Spirit will effectively use His Word to accomplish His purposes in your life” (p 37). These are:
Read and Meditate on God’s Word Every Day
Pray throughout the week
Confess your sin
Reduce your media intake
Plan ahead, and schedule your week around the ministry of the word
Be consistent in church attendance
Go to church with a humble, teachable, expectant heart
Worship with all your heart
Fight off distractions
Listen with diligent discernment
Of course he explains how each of these are put into practice.
Ramey moves from discussing listening to obeying. The sermon isn’t over when the pastor closes in prayer. “There is an inseparable relationship in the Bible between listening and obeying” (p 95). Many do not realize is that “the sermon actually starts when it is over” (p 97). “Once you hear a sermon the ball is in your court” (p 85).
As would be expected each chapter ends with questions for personal application. There is also a handy “quick reference guide” in the back.
I highly recommend this book. For a briefer instruction guide (30 pages) I recommend Listen Up! A practical guide to listening to sermons by Christopher Ash.
How many sermons have you listened to over the span of your life? How many do you actually remember? How many made a difference? Ken Ramey wants to make your sermon listening a more interactive and life changing experience. In his book Expository Listening he writes there “is no telling the dynamic impact the Spirit of God will make through the Word of God any time someone who faithfully explains and applies God’s Word comes in contact with someone who faithfully listens to and obeys God’s Word” (p 4). So how does one faithfully listen and obey?
He begins with a theology of listening. When a man is faithfully preaching the Word of God it is actually the voice of God being heard. This is why listening plays such a dominant role throughout the Bible. He sums up what the Scripture teaches with four theological statements (p 11).
God has spoken and commands us to listen and obey what He has said.
We all fail to listen to and obey God and deserve to be punished by Him.
God grants us the ability to listen to and obey Him by His Holy Spirit, whom we receive through faith in Jesus Christ.
God promises to bless us now and for all eternity if we listen to and obey Him.
In his third chapter Ramey gives us his suggestions on being the best listener possible. “When the preacher does his part and you do your part, God’s Spirit will effectively use His Word to accomplish His purposes in your life” (p 37). These are:
Read and Meditate on God’s Word Every Day
Pray throughout the week
Confess your sin
Reduce your media intake
Plan ahead, and schedule your week around the ministry of the word
Be consistent in church attendance
Go to church with a humble, teachable, expectant heart
Worship with all your heart
Fight off distractions
Listen with diligent discernment
Of course he explains how each of these are put into practice.
Ramey moves from discussing listening to obeying. The sermon isn’t over when the pastor closes in prayer. “There is an inseparable relationship in the Bible between listening and obeying” (p 95). Many do not realize is that “the sermon actually starts when it is over” (p 97). “Once you hear a sermon the ball is in your court” (p 85).
As would be expected each chapter ends with questions for personal application. There is also a handy “quick reference guide” in the back.
I highly recommend this book. For a briefer instruction guide (30 pages) I recommend Listen Up! A practical guide to listening to sermons by Christopher Ash.
December 16, 2014
"Don't be lulled into thinking that a sermon is over when the preacher closes in prayer. Remember that's when the real work begins." pg 99
We have an utterly important task to complete in church, the work of intently listening to the exposition of scripture from the pulpit, and with the exhortation we receive apply it to our lives so that the following Sunday we can receive the next sermon with a heart that has moved closer to Christ. This is said assuming your Pastor faithfully delivers the Word of God week in and week out.
The Author, who is a Preacher also, wraps up in six short chapters the responsibility of the listener while attending Church service. Preparing our heart and mind to receive the word with gladness, looking to always hear from the Lord, knowing that we are being ministered to by the Holy Spirit. As Jeremiah says "Break up your hardened ground, and do not sow among thorns."
In the parable of the four types of soil, Jesus was speaking of this very thing, what kind of heart do you have to receive the seed that creates in the listener a deep faith, to trust in the truth of scripture, one that causes obedience to the commands of Christ. The authors checklist for sermon preparation is very good, and based on the statistics I've read on the Church it is sorely needed.
For those who like a course of action and feel as though you are just going through the motions, this book will prick your conscience and help to set you on the right track. If the Word of God preached is not igniting a flame in you, the books advice is to repent and believe. The application is Pray-Listen with intent-Apply, abiding in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit so that you don't become hardened.
Chapter Headings:
Intro: Welcoming the Word
1) Biblical Audiology: A theology for listening
2) Hearing with Your Heart
3) Harrowing Your Heart to Hear
4) The Itching Ear Epidemic
5) The Discerning Listener
6) Practice What You Hear
Conclusion: Listening Like Your Life Depends On It
We have an utterly important task to complete in church, the work of intently listening to the exposition of scripture from the pulpit, and with the exhortation we receive apply it to our lives so that the following Sunday we can receive the next sermon with a heart that has moved closer to Christ. This is said assuming your Pastor faithfully delivers the Word of God week in and week out.
The Author, who is a Preacher also, wraps up in six short chapters the responsibility of the listener while attending Church service. Preparing our heart and mind to receive the word with gladness, looking to always hear from the Lord, knowing that we are being ministered to by the Holy Spirit. As Jeremiah says "Break up your hardened ground, and do not sow among thorns."
In the parable of the four types of soil, Jesus was speaking of this very thing, what kind of heart do you have to receive the seed that creates in the listener a deep faith, to trust in the truth of scripture, one that causes obedience to the commands of Christ. The authors checklist for sermon preparation is very good, and based on the statistics I've read on the Church it is sorely needed.
For those who like a course of action and feel as though you are just going through the motions, this book will prick your conscience and help to set you on the right track. If the Word of God preached is not igniting a flame in you, the books advice is to repent and believe. The application is Pray-Listen with intent-Apply, abiding in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit so that you don't become hardened.
Chapter Headings:
Intro: Welcoming the Word
1) Biblical Audiology: A theology for listening
2) Hearing with Your Heart
3) Harrowing Your Heart to Hear
4) The Itching Ear Epidemic
5) The Discerning Listener
6) Practice What You Hear
Conclusion: Listening Like Your Life Depends On It
April 23, 2013
Ken Ramey’s book (note - I was on HS staff at Grace Community under Ken so I’m probably biased in a good way) is an excellent reminder of the role of the church body when it comes to hear the Word preached on a Sunday morning.
Though much of the information was certainly not new, it is always good to be challenged on how to prepare for hearing the Word, both practically and in the heart (confessing sin, praying, etc.)
He also addresses the type of preaching that should be listened to, biblical expository preaching. I have come to expect this week in and week out, but there are many readers who haven’t been exposed to real expository preaching. Ramey couples that with reminding the reader to be discerning in comparing the Word preached with the bible itself to make sure the two match up.
Ramey concludes with reminding the reader to put into practice the preaching he or she has heard. He says, “Once you hear a sermon, the ball is in your court. Failure to apply a sermon is not just lazy listening; it is sin.”
There are two aspects of the book I really like:
1. Ramey’s frequent quotation of Puritan authors on the subject of listening to sermons. Its always striking the emphasis the Puritans placed on preaching and listening to the Word of God.
2. Reference list in the final chapter. It provides an excellent summary of what he has taught.
Someone may be tempted to skip this book because they are already in a bible-teaching church, take good notes, etc. Just like baseball teams rehearse the fundamentals of the game every spring, this book is a good time to rehearse what should be fundamental for every believer, hearing and applying the Bible.
Though much of the information was certainly not new, it is always good to be challenged on how to prepare for hearing the Word, both practically and in the heart (confessing sin, praying, etc.)
He also addresses the type of preaching that should be listened to, biblical expository preaching. I have come to expect this week in and week out, but there are many readers who haven’t been exposed to real expository preaching. Ramey couples that with reminding the reader to be discerning in comparing the Word preached with the bible itself to make sure the two match up.
Ramey concludes with reminding the reader to put into practice the preaching he or she has heard. He says, “Once you hear a sermon, the ball is in your court. Failure to apply a sermon is not just lazy listening; it is sin.”
There are two aspects of the book I really like:
1. Ramey’s frequent quotation of Puritan authors on the subject of listening to sermons. Its always striking the emphasis the Puritans placed on preaching and listening to the Word of God.
2. Reference list in the final chapter. It provides an excellent summary of what he has taught.
Someone may be tempted to skip this book because they are already in a bible-teaching church, take good notes, etc. Just like baseball teams rehearse the fundamentals of the game every spring, this book is a good time to rehearse what should be fundamental for every believer, hearing and applying the Bible.
October 9, 2017
I wish there were more books on this topic. The responsibilities surrounding preaching certainly fall not only on the pastor but also on his congregation. How many churches are struggling today, not because of the pastor's preaching, but because of the people's failure to actually listen to God's Word when it is preached? I suspect that the answer to my question is not a pleasant one. While reading this book, I particularly appreciated Ramey's emphasis on the inseparable link between hearing and obeying, as well as what a serious business it is to hear God's Word preached each week (because it is, after all, God speaking to us). As for critiques, I don't agree with Ramey on sending kids to children's church once it's time for the sermon, and I wish he had fleshed out his discussion of being a discerning listener more. But overall, this is a thoughtful little book to read on an important part of the Christian life.
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A book about preaching or public speaking)
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A book about preaching or public speaking)
October 30, 2012
I've read a lot about expository preaching, but the title of this book caught my eye as it deals with expository listening. If you teach God's Word, the reality is that the number of sermons you listen to will far outnumber the number of sermons you preach. We put a lot of work into the messages we teach, but how much work do we put in to listening to the messages that others teach? This is just the book to help us realize the Scriptural mandate of listening and being a doer of the work. Very practical, convicting, and needed. If every Christian practiced expository listening (including myself!), things would be a lot different! This is a one-of-a-kind book, as it's subject matter is so rare. I highly recommend it!
January 28, 2015
Excellent. A much-needed book.
All too often people think that it is only the pastor/teacher's job to prepare a sermon, but as this book clearly shows, it is also the responsibility of the hearers to prepare their hearts and minds to receive the sermon.
As Spurgeon rightly points out (and quoted by Ramey), in referring to the parable of the soils (Matthew 18, & Luke 8), there is more preparation required to get the soil ready than there is for the sower to sow the seed.
This is a must read for all Christians and one to put into practice. A great gift for a pastor to give to members of the church.
All too often people think that it is only the pastor/teacher's job to prepare a sermon, but as this book clearly shows, it is also the responsibility of the hearers to prepare their hearts and minds to receive the sermon.
As Spurgeon rightly points out (and quoted by Ramey), in referring to the parable of the soils (Matthew 18, & Luke 8), there is more preparation required to get the soil ready than there is for the sower to sow the seed.
This is a must read for all Christians and one to put into practice. A great gift for a pastor to give to members of the church.
March 24, 2014
I went into this book with a few questions I hoped the author would answer.
1) How can I effectively prepare for Sunday sermons?
2) How can I let go of worldly distractions and focus on hearing God's word
3) How can I listen effectively to biblical teaching?
4) How do I apply what I've learned when the church service is over?
Ramey covers these topics and more. I came away with new habits I want to establish to be ready for Sunday and to live out what I learn each week.
Recommended for those seeking to gain more from a church service than just a nice feeling and a good message.
1) How can I effectively prepare for Sunday sermons?
2) How can I let go of worldly distractions and focus on hearing God's word
3) How can I listen effectively to biblical teaching?
4) How do I apply what I've learned when the church service is over?
Ramey covers these topics and more. I came away with new habits I want to establish to be ready for Sunday and to live out what I learn each week.
Recommended for those seeking to gain more from a church service than just a nice feeling and a good message.
August 6, 2016
It is commonly assumed that God cares greatly about how His Word is preached. But what about how it is listened to? Ramey skillfully points out that listening is a critical skill God’s people must develop. It is through active listening—which includes both understanding and applying the truth—that God helps His people grow and mature in Christ. This is a highly practical aide to all those who listen to God’s Word, and highly recommended.
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