As I listened to Lecture 9 of Expository Preaching, I found that when I first started preaching, I was off the mark.  I preached the story, and not the nuggets of gold hidden beneath the surface of the Written Word.  I skirted easily over the essence of the event.  Maybe I didn't even "skirt" over it. I added my own view instead of the intention of the author. Wow!  Maybe the answer to my prayer was answered. I asked the Lord is that all there is to preaching God's Word?  I wanted more to give to the congregation, and I sought it with great earnestness. 

I began researching the words in their original language.  That was one door open.  Then I began to research the holidays, and the cities mentioned in the Bible.  Then I wanted to get into biblical archaeology. That took me to another direction.  My research blossomed into an in-depth study on the Word of God as a whole.

I have learned some life-changing lessons from these lectures. Yes, I finally got it right.  Even though I can comment on what the professor was teaching, there is always room for effective habits of preaching the Word of God.  It not only helps me to know that I am approaching the Word of God correctly, but it also encourages me to continue on.

If you have not started listening to these lectures, I encourage you to do so.  You will gain new insight and a spiritual growth like never before.