It Takes Too Much Time To Study!
To properly write out an expository sermon it takes careful study, but almost every pastor who preaches expository sermons can tell you most of their time is spent in reading the passages immediate context and larger context, and filtering out all the research to actually become relevant. The preparation is especially taxing at the start of a teaching due to you having to map out the entire book properly and trying to create a path of messages that do not consist of heresies but rather the real meaning of the passage with relevance for your ministry.
My Answer: Yes, it takes time at first, but once you are in the teaching you will benefit off of last weeks study. Secondly, the benefit of the pastor who does the study is immeasureable towards personal growth.
Youth Don’t Care About Your Message
While I agree with the experts’ opinions on the attention span of a young person, I do not agree that it is simply impossible to package a book of the Bible as a relevant series to young people. Statistics have proven that over 90% of so-called Christian youth so not see the Bible as the God-Inspired, inerrant Word of God. What are we doing with the 20 minutes we have to reach these youth with the TRUTH. An XBOX 360 may get them in, but what are we doing with the youth we are stewards over.
My Answer: We have sold ourselves short on the ability for young people to go deeper with God, and allowed MTV to dictate what is attractive. Are we trying to sell our youth ministries or see the young people of this generation submit their loves to Christ? Parents are the primary relationship in regards to beliefs and convictions, but the world is tugging at them so hard that to get a youth to listen for fifteen minutes or more is a blessing and we should reach them with the little time we have.
I personally am starting a series on the Parables of Christ that is somewhat expository but not verse to verse of a book. I will chart some of the teachings and challenges I face here.
