A biblical, text-driven method of preaching that explains, interprets, and applies a specific Scripture passage, allowing the text’s intended meaning to be the main point of the sermon. It focuses on God-centered exposition, rather than man-centered topics, by providing context, structure, and direct application to contemporary life. 

Key Principles of Expository Preaching

Textual Authority: The message is rooted in the biblical text, ensuring that the preacher's main point is the passage's intended meaning.

Contextual Understanding:  requires interpreting the text in its original context, ensuring accuracy.

Application: The message is relevantly applied to the lives of listeners, making the "then" of the Bible applicable to the "now".

God-Centered:  prioritizes the character and will of God as revealed in Scripture, rather than merely addressing human needs or interests. 

Techniques and Styles

Verse-by-verse: A systematic, detailed, and consecutive explanation of a book of the Bible over several weeks or months.

Thematic/Doctrinal Expository: Focuses on a specific doctrine or theme, using a passage to thoroughly explore it.

Narrative Expository: Explores biblical narratives in context, highlighting theological truths within stories.

Consecutive Exposition: Working through a complete book of the Bible passage by passage.  

Benefits:  ensures sound theology, prevents preachers from straying from the Word, forces interaction with difficult texts, and educates the congregation on how to study the Bible.

Biblical Basis

Expository preaching is rooted in the belief that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and its proclamation is necessary for faith and life. It mimics the pattern of Ezra, who "read from the book... and gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading" (Nehemiah 8:8).