Let the Text Lead
Staying Faithful in Exegesis
Key Verse:
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15
In a world full of noise, the pastor’s greatest calling is not to echo cultural sentiments but to proclaim divine truth. Week after week, you stand before your people with one primary responsibility—not to entertain, impress, or even inspire—but to faithfully explain what God has already said. But the pressures are real. The temptations are subtle. And without a strong commitment to letting the text lead, even the most well-meaning shepherd can drift from exegesis to opinion-sharing. Now more than ever, the church needs preachers who let God’s Word speak first, loudest, and last.
The Temptation to Chase Relevance
Every pastor feels it—the pressure to be relatable, relevant, and resonant. And while application is crucial, there is a dangerous line we can cross: allowing culture, not Scripture, to drive our message.
It's tempting to start with what we think people want to hear, and then go looking for a verse to back it up. But the power of the pulpit doesn’t lie in creative spins or catchy phrasing. It lies in God's Word, rightly divided.
Exegesis vs. Eisegesis
Exegesis draws truth from the text; eisegesis reads our own thoughts into it. One honors God's authority. The other replaces it.
Faithful preaching begins not with a clever idea, but with a prayerful reading of the passage. Ask:
What did this mean to the original audience?
What is the author’s intended message (AIM)?
How does this reveal God's character and plan?
Only then do we move to interpretation, application, and proclamation.
Letting Scripture Set the Agenda
When we let the text lead, the Spirit leads. God knew what your people needed to hear long before you started your sermon outline. Trust that His Word is timely—even if it doesn't seem trendy.
Consider this example:
You’re scheduled to preach through a passage on judgment, but you know your people are struggling with discouragement. It may feel tempting to pivot to a “more encouraging” text. But what if the Holy Spirit intends to bring comfort through repentance and renewal?
The text may challenge your people. Let it. The text may offend. Let it. Truth, when spoken in love, never returns void.
The Joy of Discovery
When we preach faithfully, we grow personally. Few things are as thrilling as seeing new light break through a familiar passage. Let the study drive the sermon. Let the Spirit spark the fire.
Use tools—lexicons, commentaries, historical context—but let Scripture interpret Scripture. A biblically rich sermon isn’t dry—it’s deep. And depth produces transformation.
How to Stay Anchored
Prioritize Study Time: Block off protected hours for deep engagement with the Word.
Lean on Accountability: Invite fellow pastors or elders to challenge your handling of tough texts.
Use a Bible Study Framework: Consider walking through a structured process each week—Observation, Interpretation, Application.
When the text leads, the people are led by God, not just by the preacher.
Prayer Thought
Father, Your Word is living and active—sharper than any double-edged sword. Forgive me for the times I’ve made it say what I wanted instead of what You intended. Teach me to love the truth more than applause, and to trust that what You’ve said is what my people most need. Help me to be a faithful servant, rightly dividing Your Word with reverence and joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastoring Tip of the Week
Before writing your sermon, listen to the text for yourself. Ask: “What is God saying to me?” If the Word hasn’t spoken to you first, it’s unlikely to impact others. Let the message confront, comfort, and convict you. Then share from the overflow.
💡 Need a Biblical Framework for Teaching Others to Study God’s Word?
We’ve created a practical and deeply biblical guide that walks your people through how to study the Bible with integrity and confidence.
📘 How to Study the Bible: A 13-Week Bible Study Course — Equip your congregation with the tools they need to go beyond devotional snippets and dig into the riches of Scripture. Ideal for small groups, new believer classes, or church-wide studies.
Help them let the text lead their lives too.
Note: All Scripture from the NIV Bible Translation.
This is great keep up the great work?