Mastering the Art of Preaching Long and Short Passages

Preachers of sequential expository preaching often prefer specific lengths of Scripture passages. Some, like Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, delve deeply into narrow sections of text. For instance, Lloyd-Jones spent eight years delivering 232 sermons on the book of Ephesians. Beginning this series at Westminster Chapel in London in 1954, he concluded it in 1962. He preached two entire sermons on the first two words of Ephesians 2:4, and one of them is the most impactful sermon I've ever heard.

Other preachers, in contrast, take a broader approach to Scripture. For example, I once preached through Hebrews and chose to cover all of Hebrews 11 in a single sermon.

So, which approach is best? Every preacher should master both. At times, it’s valuable to preach from a small, intricate portion of Scripture. At other times, stepping back to address a larger passage provides a fuller perspective.

Choosing the amount of Scripture for any given sermon should not depend on personal preference but rather on thoughtful consideration. When preparing to preach, I read the entire Bible book multiple times, focusing on its structure, flow, and main ideas. After outlining the book, I craft a tentative big idea for each of its textual units. These units, which naturally emerge from the structure of the text, typically become the foundation of my sermons. Narrative passages often involve larger units, while epistles tend to have shorter ones, sometimes only spanning a few verses.

Lloyd-Jones's approach of preaching smaller-than-usual textual units proved fruitful, but duplicating such a method isn't realistic for most preachers. While I admire his ability, for most of us, it’s wise to at least cover a complete unit of thought in each sermon. This reveals the main message of the text, allowing us to share and apply it effectively in our congregations.

A preacher's main job is to deeply understand a Bible book, including its overall message and how its smaller parts connect. This knowledge helps clarify each section's role in the book's narrative and in the broader context of Scripture.

That said, there are times when zooming out provides significant value. Take the life of Joseph, for example. A preacher could summarize Genesis 37-50 in one message, highlighting its unity and main themes, or divide it into eight or more sermons. Both approaches have their merits.

I’ve also been deeply impacted by preachers who have tackled entire books of the Bible in single sermons. One notable example is Mark Dever’s sermon series, which became the basis of his books Promises Made and Promises Kept. A few years ago, I preached a survey of the entire Old Testament across 29 sermons. If I hadn’t changed churches, I had hoped to cover the New Testament the same year.

Effective preaching requires adaptability. Using both detailed and broad approaches enhances your congregation's understanding of Scripture by providing varied strengths and insights. Preaching in both large and small portions balances the strengths and weaknesses of each style and adds variety, making sermons more engaging.

Preach smaller, entire textual units, but sometimes also take a step back to preach the broader context. Push yourself toward what feels unfamiliar and challenging, rather than relying on what's comfortable. By doing so, you'll enrich your congregation and grow as a preacher. Learning to skillfully handle both granular and expansive approaches to Scripture will become a blessing to your church.