The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative

by Steven Mathewson

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2002

Overview

Mathewson guides students and preachers through a ten-step process from text selection to sermon delivery. Mathewson then provides sample sermons and interviews of five individuals, including Alice Mathews and Haddon Robinson.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In exposition of Old Testament narratives, it’s better to concentrate on preaching scene by scene or paragraph by paragraph than verse by verse.” (Page 22)

“The rule of thumb in text selection is to choose a text that constitutes a unit of biblical thought.” (Page 32)

“Yet Old Testament narratives seem to work like other stories and focus more on a single idea. Stories tend to fire bullets rather than buckshot.” (Pages 39–40)

“2. There is no form inherent in expository preaching.” (Page 22)

“Paying attention to changes in place, time, and persons will also help you see breaks in a narrative.^{2” (Page 32)}

Praise for the Print Edition

The Old Testament houses a wealth of powerful preaching material for those who know how to mine its depths and communicate its truth in an effective, relevant way. Steven D. Mathewson has provided the serious preacher and teacher of Old Testament narrative literature with an awesome guide in how to communicate the truths from the Old Testament to our contemporary generation.

—Tony Evans, President, Urban Alternative

Steve Mathewson knows why we don't preach Old Testament narratives; he tells us why we should; and he describes how we can. His method is clear and inviting. He displays the highest standards of Biblical scholarship without a hint of smugness. Steve pastors a rural church bursting at the seams and short on staff, yet he refuses to skimp on sermon preparation—which may be precisely why his church is bursting at the seams.

—David Hansen, Senior Pastor, Kenwood Baptist Church

Product Details

• Title: The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative
• Author: Steven D. Mathewson
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 288

About Steven Mathewson

Steven D. Mathewson (D. Min., Gordon-Cronwell Theological Seminary) has taught at Montana Bible College and currently serves as senior pastor of Dry Creek Bible Church, Belgrade, Montana.