Homiletics. R. Kadyschuk, PhD Spring 2016 Module: April 18-23, 2016 Final exam Saturday April 23, 9:00 am

Transcription

1 Homiletics Course Syllabus 3 credit hours R. Kadyschuk, PhD Spring 2016 Module: April 18-23, 2016 Final exam Saturday April 23, 9:00 am Introduction In contemporary society the word preaching evokes mixed responses not all of which are positive. Yet for people involved in virtually any religious practice, the act of preaching, whether called a sermon, message, reflection, meditation, or simply a talk, is a vital aspect of acceptable activities for communication and growth in the faith. To successfully fulfill this role, those who are called to preach must learn basic elements of preaching (called homiletics). Such learning includes both core traditional approaches to preaching (i.e., topical, textual, and expository sermons) as well as contemporary models for effective communication of divine truth. The fundamentals of homiletics are like learning scales at the beginning of a career in piano lessons. This Homiletics course majors on the fundamentals but also exposes you to a broader range of contemporary approaches to sermons. It is also important that you begin to perceive your own unique attributes and interests for effective presentation of the Word of God. This activity may be viewed as similar to the freedom that a trained pianist displays in exploring new avenues of creative expression. I encourage you to read an article, The doctrine of preaching in the New Testament located at the following website: This article offers a good overview and introduction to New Testament words for preaching, basic forms of preaching in the New Testament, and theological foundations for the New Testament s emphasis on preaching. Our class meets on Monday through Friday, April 18 to 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an hour recess at lunch. The final exam will be held on Saturday April 23 at 9:00 a.m. This Homiletics course has a site on Populi. Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 1 of 13

2 Prerequisites: None Relationship to Horizon s Mission and Core Competencies In support of Horizon College and Seminary s mission to prepare leaders for Christian life and ministry, this course supports the following core competencies and their essential elements that are directly related to the Homiletics curriculum: 1. Skilled Communication a. Logic and reasoning; persuasion and influence; able to take a creative position; while taking into account the complexities of an issue; represents other points of view fairly; states a logical conclusion b. Communicates research content within appropriate structures/formats, engagement of helpful tools (e.g., web, books, journals, etc.) and proper attribution of sources (i.e., avoiding plagiarism). c. Oral presentation d. Use of technology and media 2. Biblical and Theological Literacy a. Interprets biblical passages appropriate to their genre, language, and historical and canonical context. (accessing original languages, knowing key biblical themes). 3. Contextual Awareness a. Applies Scripture and theology personally (devotionally), for the church (doctrine), and for contemporary society. Learning Outcomes The content, assignments, presentations and exams in this course are designed to challenge you in the following ways: 1. Cognitive - what you should know and understand: a. The meaning and purpose of preaching. b. Basic homiletical structures and principles that promote clear and effective communication of biblical truth. c. The relationship between form and content in preaching. d. The place of homiletics within the larger context of pastoral ethics and responsibilities. 2. Affective - what you should experience and value: a. The diverse models that are provided by others who have been effective in sermon preparation and delivery. b. The role of appropriate homiletical structure in effective preaching. c. The need to rightly divide the word of truth both in the preparation and presentation of biblical sermons. d. The importance for preachers to continually improve their sermonic skills. Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 2 of 13

3 3. Conative - what you should do with these insights, attitudes, and skills: a. Apply the principles learned in class to the act of preaching, particularly the expository sermon. b. Demonstrate personal learning from the examples of experienced practitioners of homiletics. c. Explain the elements of change that are sought through the act of preaching. d. Explore the broad range of resources available for the preacher. Textbooks Required: 1. Anderson, K. Choosing to Preach: A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Anderson is a concise and articulate student of homiletics. The book raises some basic questions about preaching then presents five different approaches to sermon theory and structure. An accompanying CD provides audio examples of sermons from four of the five approaches. 2. Stanley, A. and Jones, L. Communicating For a Change. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah, Andy Stanley is a prominent mega-church pastor, prolific author and engaging conference speaker who has made a strong positive impact on the North American evangelical church scene. This book offers a good introduction to the essence of Stanley s approach to preaching. 3. Dale Carnegie Training. Stand and Deliver: How to Become a Masterful Communicator and Public Speaker. New York: Simon and Schuster (a Touchstone Book), The Dale Carnegie organization is the world s leading resource for public speaking mastery... With these words the book begins; it goes on to declare: Stand and Deliver will give you the tools you need to become an outstanding public speaker in the shortest possible time. You ll learn how to prepare and organize a talk, whether it s five minutes in front of a small group or half an hour before a packed auditorium. You ll discover the real keys not just for entertaining your listeners, but for informing them, persuading them, and inspiring them to action based on your message. Perhaps most important, Stand and Deliver will show you how to take the fear out of oral presentation once and for all. Wow! that is a huge declaration. You can decide for yourself how helpful it is towards your own growth as a public speaker. Course Content The content for this course is organized around the following areas: 1. Introduction preaching at a crossroads (Anderson, pp.15-17) Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 3 of 13

4 2. Background to Preaching are you going to preach? (Anderson, pp.21-32) the need; definitions; biblical basis; methodology; forms, models, examples; the anointing in preaching 3. Approaches to Preaching are you going to preach the Bible? (Anderson, pp.33-46) the foolishness of preaching; types of sermons: topical, textual, expository; other models for preaching; types of biblical literature 4. The Elements of Traditional Homiletical Structure (for expository sermons from Braga) Scripture text; title and introduction; proposition/thesis (the big idea); the question; transitions; main and sub-points; illustrations and examples; application/conclusion/invitation 5. How Will You Discern Your Message? (Anderson, pp.47-84) deductive approach (text -> listener); inductive approach (listener -> text) 6. How Will You Deliver (communicate) Your Message? (Anderson, pp ) cognitive approach (idea); affective approach (image) 7. Summary of Anderson s Five Structures for Preaching Models (pp ) declarative sermon (cognitive-deduction); pragmatic sermon (cognitive-induction); visionary sermon (affective-deduction); narrative sermon (affective-induction); integrative sermon Note: You are not responsible for pages of Anderson s book during the present course; however, I will summarize the five structures in class (see pp ). 8. Stand and Deliver -learning from Dale Carnegie Basic principles; overcoming fear; using humor effectively; stories and selfreferences; motivating listeners to action; power of persuasion; creativity and the magic formula; effective conclusions 9. Me, We, God, You, We -learning from Andy Stanley facilitating the preacher s communication journey with their audience 10. Potential Other Topics for Consideration (as time permits) preaching to children and youth; sermons for special occasions; the use of sermon series in preaching; plagiarism and the pulpit; ethics in preaching; preaching in the urban/rural, large/small church; alternative approaches to preaching (e.g., dramatic sermons, principle preaching, preaching as counseling, etc.) 11. Practical Preaching Assignments -in class Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 4 of 13

5 Course Requirements Attendance I assume that you will attend class regularly as defined by the Academic Policies. Class members need each other s presence and support during the practical preaching assignments. Assignments and Exam 1. Extemporaneous Mini-Message and Brief Parable Devotional (15%) -in class Purpose: To experience the immediacy of speaking from the Word of God even with minimal time available for formal preparation Supports: Core competencies / essential elements 1a., 1c., 3a Learning outcomes 1b, 1c, 2c, 2d, 3c Assignments: Select a personal favorite verse (or very brief passage) of Scripture, reflect and make notes in class for about ten minutes using an outline guide provided in class, then share a mini-message of 4 to 5 minutes from that verse. (5%) Take a parable (assigned in class) and, within the next day or two, share a 7 to 8 minute message from that parable. (10%) 2. Short Sermon (20%) -in class Purpose: To practice the preparation and preaching of a sermon structured in an intentional manner (e.g., expository, topical, thematic) Supports: Core competencies / essential elements 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 3a Learning outcomes 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b Assignment: Prepare and present a brief sermon (16 to 18 minutes) based on elements of homiletical structure that are appropriate for that type of sermon. All of the above speaking assignments will be fulfilled in class during the module week. 3. Final Exam (35%) Purpose: To test the textbook readings and classroom material from the whole course Supports: Broad range of cognitive, affective and conative learning objectives 4. Written Review of Stanley s Text (10%) Date of Final Exam: Saturday April 23 at 9:00 a.m. Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 5 of 13

6 Purpose: To examine a contemporary approach to preaching as exemplified by one of today s popular megachurch pastors Supports: Learning outcomes 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3b Assignment: a) Read Communicating for a Change b) Write a 4 to 5 page personal reflection and critical review of the book. 5. Sermon Analysis and Critiques (10%) Due date: Friday May 6 Purpose: To practice the technical analysis of sermons Supports: Learning outcomes 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3b Assignment: a) Immediately after the module week, listen to two different Sunday sermons (two different preachers) in church b) Complete a written critical analysis of each sermon using the form provided. 6. Written Review of Stand and Deliver textbook (10%) Due date for both sermon critiques: Wednesday May 18 Purpose: To familiarize yourself with essential elements of the Dale Carnegie approach to public speaking; it is one of the most popular marketplace instructional programs for public speaking ever created Supports: Learning outcomes 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3b, 3c Assignment: a) Read Stand and Deliver b) Write a 4 to 5 page personal reflection and critical review of the book. Due date: Wednesday May 25 Note: You will receive further details as to how to approach the two book reviews. Approach to Instruction Classroom sessions include a combination of lectures, discussion, video and web-based examples of preachers, classroom exercises, and the preaching of sermons by class members. Preaching in class provides an opportunity to combine theoretical understanding with practical experience. Added benefit comes through constructive feedback from classmates Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 6 of 13

7 and your own self-examination of the video replay. The final exam is a means to test your growing awareness and understanding of the material covered in the course. My approach to the format of this course is based on the assumption that an introductory course in homiletics requires: a solid introduction to homiletical theory and models, an exposure to preachers who are actively engaged in the challenge of effective preparation and presentation of sermons, and a significant commitment to 'hands-on' experience in working with the concepts. Evaluation Procedures for evaluation are a hybrid of competency-based assessment as well as more traditional letter grades and percentages. Evaluation forms for in-class speaking assignments use assessment criteria that may be summarized as follows: Horizon CBE Scale U of S equivalent 9-10 E - Exceeding expectations A- to A+ 7-8 M - Meeting expectations B- to B+ 5-6 BTM - Beginning To Meet expectations C- to C+ 1-4 NYM - Not Yet Meeting expectations F to D- Written assignments and the final exam use letter grade and/or percentage marking schemes. All assessments will be converted as required to provide corresponding values in the following list of allotments: 10% Sermon analysis and critiques 15% Extemporaneous mini-message and brief parable devotional 20% Short sermon 10% Review of Communicating for a Change textbook 10% Review of Stand and Deliver textbook 35% Final exam 100% Resources/Bibliography Every preacher should have a website like Bible Gateway.com at their fingertips. It is a fine resource with many Bible translations available for immediate Bible searches. ( Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 7 of 13

8 A number of books of interest to me that are related to preaching are listed below: Akin, Daniel, et.al, editors. Text-Driven Preaching: God s Word at the Heart of Every Sermon. Nashville: B&H Publishing, Allen, Bob. Sermon CPR: Resuscitating Your Preaching Style. Kansas City: Beacon Hill, Allen, Ronald. Preaching and the Other: Studies of Postmodern Insights. St. Louis: Chalice Press, Andrian. Speak Like a Leader. Amazon Digital Services, Ash, Christopher. The Priority of Preaching. Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire (Scotland): Christian Focus Publications, Bartholomew, Craig and Goheen, Michael. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story. Grand Rapids: Baker, Blackwood, Rick. The Power of Multisensory Preaching and Teaching: Increase Attention, Comprehension, and Retention. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Bond, Albert. Preach Like Jesus: Learning from the Master Preacher. Dallas: Godspeed Publishing, Broadus, John. Lectures on the History of Preaching. Titus Books, Brothers, Michael. Distance in Preaching: Room to Speak, Space to Listen. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Brown, Steve. How to Talk so People Will Listen. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993 (Ebook edition created 2014). Bystrom, Raymond. Preaching Biblical Sermons: Three Contemporary Strategies. Winnipeg: Kindred Books, Capill, Murray. The Heart is the Target: Preaching Practical Application from Every Text. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age. New York: Simon and Schuster, Carnegie, Dale. Stand and Deliver: How to Become a Masterful Communicator and Public Speaker. New York: Simon and Schuster, Charles, H. B. On Preaching: Personal and Pastoral Insights for the Preparation and Practice of Preaching. Chicago: Moody, Chilton, Delmer and John Fairless. A Simple Way to Preach. The Lectionary Lab, Cox, Richard. Rewiring Your Preaching: How the Brain Processes Sermons. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, Crabtree, Charles. Pentecostal Preaching. Springfield: Gospel Publishing, Davis, Carl. The Art of Preaching. Amazon Digital Services, Day, David. Preaching With All You ve Got: Embodying the Word. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, Duduit, Michael, editor. Preaching With Power: Dynamic Insights From Twenty Top Pastors. Grand Rapids: Baker, Eaton, Michael. The Gift of Prophetic Preaching. Chichester, West Sussex (United Kingdom): New Wine Press, Edwards, J. Kent. Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching: The Steps From Text to Narrative Sermon. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, (includes CD with video demonstration) Eswine, Zack. Preaching to a Post-Everything World: Crafting Biblical Sermons that Connect With Our Culture. Grand Rapids: Baker, Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 8 of 13

9 Fee, Gordon and Douglas Stuart. How To Read the Bible for All It s Worth. 4 th edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Fuller, Charles. The Trouble With Truth Through Personality: Phillip Brooks, Incarnation, and the Evangelical Boundaries of Preaching. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, Gibson, Scott, editor. Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating that Connects. Grand Rapids: Baker, Gibson, Scott. Should We Use Someone Else s Sermon?: Preaching in a Cut-and-Paste World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Graves, Mike and Schlafer, David, editors. What s the Shape of Narrative Preaching? St. Louis: Chalice Press, Hamilton, Adam. Speaking Well: Essential Skills for Speakers, Leaders and Preachers. Nashville: Abingdon, Harris, Charles. The Personality of the Preacher. Amazon Digital Services, Haslam, Greg, general editor. Preach the Word: The Call and Challenge of Preaching Today. Lancaster, England: Sovereign World, Helm, David. Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God s Word Today. Wheaton: Crossway, Humphrey, Judith. Speaking as a Leader. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Jacobsen. David. Homiletical Theology: Preaching As Doing Theology. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, Jernigan, Jeremy. Crowdsourcing the Message: Engaging People in the Church for Powerful and Effective Teaching to the Church. New York: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Johnson, Patrick. The Mission of Preaching: Equipping the Community for Faithful Witness. Downer s Grove: IVP, Jonker, Peter. Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons That Connect. Nashville: Abingdon, Kalas, J. Ellsworth. Preaching in an Age of Distraction. Downers Grove: IVP, Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith in An Age of Skepticism. New York: Viking (Penguin), Kinlaw, Dennis. Preaching in the Spirit. Anderson, Indiana: Warner Press (Francis Asbury Press), Knowles, Michael, ed. The Folly of Preaching: Models and Methods. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Kogan, Kory et.al., Presentation Advantage: How to Inform and Persuade Any Audience. Dallas: BenBella Books, Koller, Charles. How to Preach Without Notes. Grand Rapids: Baker, Reprinted Kysar, Robert and Webb, Joseph. Preaching to Postmoderns: New Perspectives for Proclaiming the Message. Peabody: Hendrickson, Larson, Craig, General Editor. Prophetic Preaching. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, Litfin, Duane. Paul s Theology of Preaching. Downer s Grove: IVP, Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Preaching and Preachers. 40 th Anniversary Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Luchetti, Lenny. Preaching Essentials: A Practical Guide. Indianapolis: Wesleyan Publishing, Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 9 of 13

10 Lybrand, Fred. Preaching on Your Feet: Connecting God and the Audience in the Preachable Moment. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, Malm, Jonathan. Developing a Series: A Guidebook for Planning, Branding, and Marketing an Effective Sermon Series. Published by author, Martin, Lee Roy, editor. Toward a Pentecostal Theology of Preaching. Cleveland: CPT Press, McDill, Wayne. 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. Second edition. Nashville: B&H Publiishing, Medefind, Jeff and Lokkesmoe, Erik. The Revolutionary Communicator: Seven Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead. Lake Mary, Florida: RelevantBooks, Miller, Calvin. Preaching: The Art of Narrative Exposition. Grand Rapids: Baker, Millar, Gary and Campbell, Phil. Saving Eutychus: How to Preach God s Word and Keep People Awake. Kingsford, Australia: Matthias Media, Motyer, Alec. Preaching: Simple Teaching on Simply Preaching. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, Nelson, Alan. The Psychology of Preaching: Creating Messages That Connect. Monterey, CA: LeadYoung Publications, Norford, Bryan. Anointed Preaching: The Holy Spirit and the Pulpit. Lethbridge,, AB: Pebble Press, Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets and Journalists. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Ragoonath, Aldwin. Spirit-Filled Preaching. Amazon Digital Services, Reid, Robert. The Four Voices of Preaching: Connecting Purpose and Identity Behind the Pulpit. Grand Rapids: Brazos, Richard, Ramesh. Preparing Expository Sermons: A Seven-Step Method for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, Robinson, Haddon and Patricia Batten. Models for Biblical Preaching: Expository Sermons from the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014 (Ebook edition). Robinson, Haddon and Larson Craig, general editors. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today s Communicators. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Roese, Jackie. She Can Teach: Empowering Women to Teach the Scriptures Effectively. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, Kindle Edition. Ryle, John C. Simplicity in Preaching: A Few Short Hints on a Great Subject. Kindle edition. Originally published in Salisbury, Judy. A Time to Speak; Practical Training for the Christian Presenter. 2 nd edition. Cambridge, Ohio: Christian Publishing House, Salter, Darius. Preaching as Art: Biblical Storytelling for a Media Generation. Kansas City: Beacon Hill, Senior, Roger. Understanding and Preaching Narrative: Making Luke s Gospel Live Today. New York: Xulon Press, Standing, Roger. Finding the Plot: Preaching in Narrative Style. Falmouth: Cornwall, Stanley, Andy and Jones, Lane. Communicating for a Change. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah, Stone, Dave. Refining Your Style: Learning from Respected Communicators. Loveland, Colorado: Group, (includes CD with audio examples) Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 10 of 13

11 Stott, John. Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Stott, John. The Challenge of Preaching. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Swindoll, Charles. Touching Others With Your Words: The Art and Practice of Successful Speaking. New York: FaithWords (Hachette Book Group), Tisdale, Leonora. Prophetic Preaching: A Pastoral Approach. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster, Tucker, Austin. The Preacher as Storyteller: The Power of Narrative in the Pulpit. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, Vibert, Simon. Excellence in Preaching: Studying the Craft of Leading Preachers. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, Ware, Henry, Jr. Hints on Extemporaneous Preaching. Boston: Cummings, Hilliard and Co., Kindle edition Wilson, Paul. Setting Words on Fire: Putting God at the Center of the Sermon. Nashville: Abingdon, Other authors not mentioned above are worthy of note when you look for preaching resources. Several are listed below (in alphabetical order): Jay Adams Donald Demaray Eugene Lowry Ed Rowell Ronald Allen Clyde Fant John MacArthur William Sangster Andrew Blackwood Alfred Gibbs Frederick Meyer John Stott Stuart Briscoe Michael Green Calvin Miller Warren Wiersbe Bryan Chapell Woodrow Kroll Harold Ockenga Keith Willhite Fred Craddock D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Lloyd Perry William Willimon There are many resources for homiletics and preaching available on the internet. The following pages provide some useful links to journal articles that are online. Some of the websites also offer online audio sermons from contemporary as well as old-time preachers. Web Resources for Preaching All websites referred to in this syllabus are active as of April For ease of access to the web addresses, go to the course website to use the web version of this syllabus. The web links to all sites will save you the trouble of typing url addresses. 1. Samples from 'Leadership Journal' The Christianity Today organization has changed their approach to archival material. To have access to the full text of journal articles, paid subscriptions are now available at Archival articles are still listed but only the first few paragraphs of each article are given as a free preview. Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 11 of 13

12 At the website, there are still some free full-text journal articles. For articles related to preaching, go to: Go to and browse through the articles that are offered there. You will find that some of the articles still give only a preview of the first few paragraphs for free. Example of an article of interest at the site: tml, you will find Preaching on My Feet: Could I speak for 35 minutes without ever writing notes? by Craig Brian Larson. The college library has many years of Leadership Journal in paper copy. If you see an article on the website that interests you, it might be available in the college collection. 2. Samples of Preaching Resources from Other Websites OnePlace.com -Listen for Life A portal to many ministry resources Homiletics Online The online version of Homiletics magazine plus other resources, by paid subscription. The Catholic Encyclopedia definition of Homiletics A detailed study of the definition of preaching, its historical development, etc. Preaching Online The online version of Preaching magazine for print subscribers. This site also offers a free weekly newsletter featuring sermon ideas, illustrations, and insights on preaching the Word. PreachingToday.Com A paid subscription for over 8,000 illustrations in a searchable database, preaching workshops, full sermon outlines, and many more invaluable tools and tips. PreachingTodaySermons Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 12 of 13

13 An extension of Preaching Today. PreachingTodayAudio - from Christianity Today A paid subscription choose from an extensive list of the top sermons and workshops, collected over the 20-year history of the popular and trusted Preaching Today Audio series. Preaching.Org Kent Anderson s website of preaching resources based mainly on his integrative model of preaching. Dynamic Preaching Online A paid subscription for preaching resources. Sermon Index An awesome collection of audio (and some video) sermons from many old-time, as well as current, preachers. Online Sermons A smaller version of Sermon Index. Sermonaudio.com A large collection of audio sermons by many preachers. Audio Bible The audio reading of the Bible. Homiletics Module Syllabus April Page 13 of 13