While God makes it clear that we must preach the Word, he does not specify one method over the other. I wonder if we have veered too far in one direction. This, after all, is our tendency in nearly everything—to swing from wild extreme to wild extreme.

In many ways, the Reformed resurgence of the past couple of decades has been built upon a particular style of preaching. Many Reformed leaders have faithfully practiced and forcefully advocated what we might call “consecutive exposition.” This is the practice of preaching from the beginning of a book of the Bible to the end, then choosing a new book and doing the same with that one. It’s a practice I appreciate and one that has benefitted me tremendously both as a preacher and a church member.

But it’s not the only way. Historically, some prominent Christians have advocated a different approach. Of course we know that Charles Spurgeon never preached consecutively, but rather preached a distinct text each week. So, too, did Andrew Bonar and Robert Murray M’Chenye and many others. In place of a commitment to preaching through books of the Bible, they determined to “get their texts from God” each week.

Here is how Andrew Bonar described his approach:

I see that I should get my texts directly from the Lord, and never preach without having got something that shows me his counsel in the matter.

I have been much impressed with the sin of choosing my text without special direction from the Lord. This is like running without being sent, no message being given me. I ought to feel, “This I am sent to tell you, my people.”

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