Archive for Expositional Listening
(I’m WAY behind on this post…..we’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? This is the 7th post in the series. Bring up all the posts in the series here.)
From the Book:
Jonathan Edwards resolved (see #11 of his Resolutions) that he would never let a day end before he had answered any questions that he had from reading Scripture that day. How healthy would our churches be if members dedicated themselves to such work?
Anyabwile suggests that one way to start along the path is to follow up with pastors, elders and other teachers in the church, asking them questions that are triggered by what we read in Scripture. We should not be passive when we read Scripture, but actively seek to answer questions that arise as we read, meditate and study the Word. After trying to answer questions yourself talk to accountability partners, your small group, etc.
After a sermon follow up with a question or comment that may be an encouragement to your pastor and a blessing to you in the process.
Thoughts:
Getting our questions answered as they come up during our time in the Word is half the fun! As Anyabwile suggests, I would encourage trying to answer questions yourself by investing the time in meditating on the text, reading and re-reading it (in context), using the cross references in your Bible, the study notes if you have a study Bible, commentaries…all the while praying that the Lord would give understanding. We are blessed to have SO many resources to help us understand!
Small groups are indeed a great place to ask questions! Men, if you’re not part of a small group you’re really missing out. Each week in my small group we spend some time discussing the previous Sunday’s sermons, sharing what we took away from it and any questions we may have or things we want to talk about.
Resources
Reference and Biblical Studies sections at Monergism Books
A few highlights below. Pastor Juan has recommended these in the past.
(The following are thoughts concerning this post: Cultivating Expositional Listening - #4: Listen to and Act on the Sermon Throughout the Week . I broke the post up into two parts to avoid it being too long..but of course if you need to review the prior post then it kind of defeats the purpose…oh well, sorry, I did try!)
Thoughts
Simple concept but very powerful! Of course we don’t want to be mere hearers of the Word, we want to be doers. At least we say we do. At least I tell myself that. I least that’s the “right thing to say” isn’t it?
James speaks a good word to us in James 1:22-25 when he mentions the concept of deception. Self-deception, that is. Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are one type of man, when we are in fact another!
How many times have I listened to a sermon and been so encouraged, convicted, awed, impacted by God’s truth, only to have it fade to the back of my mind as I float through the week to next Sunday? No intentional plan for application, just kind of “wingin” it. A few too many times if I’m honest. I often seek to apply what I hear but I’m encouraged to be even more intentional.
How carefully am I handling God’s Word? Do I take Him seriously as He speaks to me through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit? Did He intend for me to forget what I so clearly comprehended, by His grace, that Sunday (or in my devotions for that matter)?
I’m reminded of the early years of my career, fresh out of college, when my boss used to get upset with me as he would be telling me something in a meeting and I wouldn’t write it down. Several times he said to me “Write it down!” as he saw me listening to him as he gave me instructions but not writing anything down. I just “knew” I would be able to remember. Now, it might have only been one or two action items for me but not taking the time to write down the instruction of my boss was perceived as lazy, disrespectful, careless. For many (many) years now of course, I don’t show up to a meeting with my boss without a pen and paper, and I use it.
How much more should we take care with what the Sovereign God of the Universe tells us?! To take care to write down, pray about and then act on instruction for our soul and our joy and God’s glory! I’m not implying some empty, ritualistic exercise of “writing stuff down”….but a more focused, intentional attitude towards application by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Man, am I motivated to think a little differently in this area. You? Thoughts?
(We’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? This is the 5th post in the series. Bring up all the posts in the series here.)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:22-25
The author rightly suggests this passage as a word of caution against merely hearing the Word and not applying it. So we move from talking and praying with others about the sermon into acting on what we heard. Anyabwile’s exhortation is “Don’t let the Sunday sermon become a one-time event that fades from memory as soon as it is over.”
He suggests choosing one or two specific applications from the Scripture and to prayerfully put them into practice over the upcoming week.
Use the resources available to go through the sermon again for refreshing and clarification. Use audio, video or print resources (High Pointe has all three available). Review the sermon by yourself and with others for the purposes of applying it. Use the sermon and sermon notes in one-on-one discipling. Talk with your family about the same. Spur each other on to apply the Word of God to our daily lives.
Thoughts
This post turned out to be rather long so I’ll save my thoughts for tomorrow or the next day. We’re aiming for mostly short to moderate length posts here (I know a couple have probably already crossed that line).
Cultivating Expositional Listening - #3: Talk and Pray with Friends After Church
Posted by: | Comments(We’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? This is the 4th post in the series. Bring up all the posts in the series here.)
Mr. Anyabwile offers this encouragement with his 3rd suggestion for cultivating expositional listening: “Instead of rushing off after the service is over, or talking about the latest news, develop the habit of talking about the sermon with people after church.” He suggests starting spiritual conversations by asking questions like “How did the Scripture challenge or speak to you today?” or “What about God’s character most surprised or encouraged you?” We should pay careful attention to how our thinking has been changed by the message that was preached…in particular how the Words of God, from Scripture, affected our thinking.
We should also pray with others, that the congregation would not be “dull of hearing” and would desire the “solid food” of the Word.
Thoughts
Although I regularly have conversations with others throughout the week about the sermon, I’m challenged to have more of those conversations after the service as part of fellowship, instead of running out the door to lunch or having good fellowship but not taking the time to discuss the sermon that was just preached.
Also, as I write this I’m reminded of the message from this past Sunday morning on 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 and also Hebrews 10:24-25.
A desire to talk with, and to hear from others, about how the Word of God impacted us through the sermon can be a mark of spiritual maturity, when it’s combined with doing the Word. Immaturity and sin can cause us to hear the Word but have no desire to discuss it or ask anyone else about it. As Pastor Juan asked on Sunday, what are we characterized by? Are we characterized by a passion to take in and talk about, and live out, the Word of God?
Let us stir up one another to love and good works, which are always based on the Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. God is glorified as we talk about the Word’s work on our heart and mind and cultivate more attentive listening to that same Word.
A few more practical suggestions for discussing the sermon:
- At lunch or dinner on Sundays (or anytime of course) initiate a conversation with whoever you’re with.
- During small groups set aside some time to discuss and pray
- With the family, particularly husbands talking to our wives as we seek to lead and love them
- Take good notes: I’m trying to be a more effective note taker but writing things down aids my recall later when discussing or reflecting on the sermon
- Each Sunday in the bulletin, there’s an insert for note-taking that also has reflection/discussion questions on the back. This can be used as a guide/inspiration when having these discussions.
Cultivating Expositional Listening - #2: Invest in a Good Set of Commentaries
Posted by: | Comments(We’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? Read the introduction to this series here.)
The second suggestion the author gives for cultivating expositional listening is to invest in a good set of commentaries. Study with the likes of John Calvin, Martin Lloyd-Jones, D.A. Carson or James Montgomery Boice, learning from these reliable teachers as you read through a book of the Bible. To choose wisely among all the commentaries that are available consider purchasing a commentary survey like Tremper Longman’s Old Testament Commentary Survey or D.A. Carson’s New Testament Commentary Survey.
Thoughts
There are not many things that are more exciting to me then opening my mailbox to see the latest commentaries I’ve purchased finally arrive! I personally follow this approach above, buying commentaries for books of the Bible as I read them. A couple of buying strategies:
- A balance of “classic” and “contemporary” authors is nice if you can afford more than one.
- A commentary at a “popular” or devotional level as well as something a little more technical is also nice (for a challenge…but be sure to check the knowledge of Greek/Hebrew that’s required, unless you know the languages. The New International Greek Testament Commentary for 1 Corinthians below, for example).
-The best way for members of High Pointe to get commentary recommendations is from Pastor Juan, who regularly gives reading suggestions (a couple included below).
I like to buy study guides along with commentaries. I go through the questions to test my knowledge of the text. Some commentaries include study questions but I like this straightforward approach to “quizzing myself” on the text to help with my understanding.
So, go ahead and buy some 1 Corinthians stuff!
This is the 2nd part in this series. We’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? Read the introduction to this series here.
Expositional Listening defined: Listening for the meaning of a passage of Scripture and accepting that meaning as the main idea to be grasped for our personal and corporate lives as Christians.
Tip #1 - Meditate on the Sermon Passage During Your Quite Time
Meditating on the sermon text before hearing it on Sunday is one practical way to foster expositional listening. Several days before the sermon is preached determine the passage to be preached on and incorporate it into your devotions, outlining the passage and meditating on it. Use your outline and notes to inform your prayer throughout the week and also as a listening aid when you actually hear the sermon on Sunday.
Encourage your pastor by letting him know you’ll be praying for his preparation while you yourself prepare to listen.
Thoughts
This is excellent counsel. Read the above summary of the suggestion from the book again. It’s short but there’s a lot there! For some time now I’ve meditated on the sermon text in advance and can personally testify to the great blessing I’ve experienced as a result. Since Pastor Juan preaches expositionally, we can often make a good guess as to what will be preached next. If not, many times he will simply tell us on his blog. As Anyabwile suggests this is a wonderful way to remind ourselves to pray for Pastor Juan as he prepares each Sunday.
One idea I’m particularly excited about trying is outlining the passage in advance and using it as a listening aid during the sermon. What a wonderful experience this could be! We could sharpen our interpretive skills (comparing with what we hear preached) and provide a starting point for note-taking, having saturated our minds and hearts in the text before hearing it. This could greatly enhance our listening and reception, Lord willing.
I would also add audio as a way (supplementing reading) to help prepare our hearts and minds to receive on Sundays. As an iPod geek, I usually listen to the passages already preached in the book of the Bible we’re in (for review) and also the upcoming passage.
Men, what do you think? Shall we put this first suggestion to work?
Cultivating Attentive Listening to God’s Word - Introduction
Posted by: | CommentsRecently I found myself reviewing my habits concerning Bible intake (see the outline from the last Men’s Breakfast) and also how I listen/respond to the message(s) on Sunday.
I realized I want to make some adjustments in these areas. Maybe you do too.
Men, here’s a question to ask ourselves:
Are there habits to be formed, a mindset or a heart attitude to develop, that will facilitate the implanting and application of the Word to my heart and mind, for the Glory of God and for my joy?
So, to get things going here on the Men’s Ministry blog I thought we could walk through six practical ideas (we’re men, we like the practical, right?) on how to foster more attentive listening to God’s Word, as outlined by Thabiti Anyabwile in his book What is a Healthy Church Member?. He calls this becoming an “Expositional Listener”.
These will be short posts designed to give us some ideas on how to become better listeners of God’s Word.
Stay tuned for next time when we’ll discuss the first practical suggestion on becoming Expositional Listeners.
Culvitating Expositional Listening - #6: Cultivate Humility
Posted by: Bob Perez | Comments (0)This is the final posts in the series where we’re reviewing the six practical ways Thabiti Anyabwile suggests for developing “expositional listening” in his book What is a Healthy Church Member? Click here to bring up all the posts in the series. Also, by way of review, here are the first five ways to develop expositional listening according to Anyabwile:
1. Meditate on the Sermon Passage During Your Quiet Time
2. Invest in a Good Set of Commentaries
3. Talk and Pray with Friends After Church
4. Listen to and Act on the Sermon Throughout the Week
5. Develop the Habit of Addressing Any Questions About the Text Itself
The 6th and final suggestion for developing a habit of expositional listening is to cultivate humility. As we hear the Word preached, read the Word and take in the truth of God, we will by God’s grace grow spiritually. Anyabwile cautions us though against becoming “professional sermon listeners” as we move along in our spiritual maturity, becoming one who is always hearing but never learning. Beware of false knowledge that puffs up:
Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind
Colossians 2:18
Furthermore, pride, the condemnation of others and “critical nit-picking” are sins that should be dealt with, mortified, as soon as we see them.
We should instead look to meet Jesus each time we come to Scripture, discovering and applying the truth to all of life. Instead of exalting ourselves we should humble ourselves according to Peter’s admonition: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6).
Thoughts
As someone who takes in a lot of “content” I appreciated this point. I can easily veer into “professional sermon listener” territory and have had to check myself, evaluate my motives and ask myself what the goal is of listening/reading to all the preaching and teaching. Knowledge puffs me up easily. “Good knowledge”, never mind false knowledge (although of course we should all be on guard for this constantly).
May we humbly come before God, seeking His grace and power by the Holy Spirit, to kill the sin of pride whenever it rears its ugly head.
Men of High Pointe, by God’s grace we have the priviledge of sitting under faithful, Christ-exalting preaching that holds up God’s Word as sufficient for all of life and Jesus as the Greatest Treasure. Let us humbly receive the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit apply what we hear for the Glory of God and for our joy!
I’m reminded of Isaiah 66:2
But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
So, this wraps up this series on Expositional Listening. Although it took quite a bit longer than I had anticipated I hope that you found it helpful. I would highly recommend reading the whole book. It might still be available for free at the information desk.