How can you exegete like John Stott? In this episode, Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore that question. They reflect on Stott’s sermon “The Greatest Invitation Ever Made” that’s based on Matthew 11:28-30, which includes two invitations for listeners.

Sometimes, preachers don’t know what to bring into the sermon and what to leave out. “We dump way too information on our people. We don’t know where to stop,” Matt said.

He also indicated that pastors should read the text, observe, listen and slow down. Andy Abernathe, Associate Professor of OT Theology at Wheaton College says “read, read, read” when exegeting the text. Here are four steps you can follow:

• Do your exegesis.
• Find your big idea.
• Know what to leave out.
• Give your people a simple path.

Check out what was referenced in this episode:

Frederick Dale Bruner’s book Matthew: A Commentary, Volume 2

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.