Abstract
This thesis is an investigation of the significance and relevance of expository preaching to the faith
and spiritual growth of young Samoan Christians within the Congregational Christian Church
Samoa (CCCS). The importance of expository preaching to contemporary Christians is central to
the spiritual growth and mission of the CCCS. In contemplation of the significance of expository
preaching, a Samoan proverbial expression; ‘Toe Matimati/Timata le Ūpega,’ translated as repairing
and re-mending the fishing net, will be employed as a phenomenological hermeneutic in this thesis.
Biblical and theological views on ‘expository preaching’ will be evaluated and examined
thoroughly to make meaningful connections with the cultural, psychological, and social life of
Samoan youth. Contemporary Christians and youth members of the CCCS sometimes criticise their
ministers’ preaching style as boring and irrelevant to their faith and spiritual development. Such an
aggressive challenge to the church’s preaching ministry needs to be carefully addressed.
In order to analyse the essentiality of ‘expository preaching’ to the worship life of contemporary
Christians, the following aspects of preaching will be the central emphasis of this research project.
First, biblical, and theological understandings of expository preaching to the faith and spiritual
development of youth are considered; second, this thesis examines the reasons why the youth argue
that expository preaching is boring; third, the research data from interviews with three cohorts;
ministers, youth, and parents is evaluated and interpreted. The data analysis from the interviews is
analysed in light of the biblical and theological perspectives. The purpose is to offer new
perspectives and methods to assist ministers in their preaching ministry. These new perspectives
towards preaching may assist the church ministers in making expository preaching interesting and
relevant to young Christians’ worship life in their cultural, social, and spiritual contexts.
The thesis explores the ways that expository preaching may be appreciated by youth and be relevant
to current issues and the uncertainties that youth encounter in their life contexts. For instance, the
disruptions caused by the covid-19 pandemic and many other life challenges commonly create fear
and a lack of purpose among young Christians. Such circumstances have often caused these young
Christians to feel vulnerable and prompts the question of this thesis: Is ‘expository preaching’ an
appropriate style of preaching for the younger generations in challenging times? My goal is not
entirely focused on providing an absolute solution or solutions to the issue, but to suggest changes
and new ideas to assist ministers in their preaching ministry. Further, my goal is not to challenge
the biblical foundation and the theological aspects of expository preaching, but to identify new
methods in presenting motivating and relevant sermons for the greater good of contemporary
worshippers