Preaching: Principles and Practice In Preparing Relevant Biblical Sermons PR 601 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Jacksonville Rev. Eric B. Watkins A.A., B.S., M.Div., ThM., PhD. I. Course Description From the catalogue: An introduction to the principles of preparing relevant biblical sermons. Lectures and exercises cover a stage-by-stage explanation of how preachers think as they prepare to preach. Recitation sessions provide opportunity for students to preach with critique by the professor. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum This course is an introduction to the principles of preparing Christ-centered, relevant, expository sermons. Employing the science of sound hermeneutics, biblical, systematic, and pastoral theology, the student will also apply the art of homiletic theory in the delivery of sample sermons. Pre-requisites: a year of biblical language and either NT 502 or OT 511. Both are preferred. III. Course Goal and Objectives Goal: To enable students to move from the study and exegesis of the biblical text to the construction and delivery of a sermon in a clear, effective manner. Objectives: As a result of this course, students should: A. Have a working understanding of expository, Christ-centered preaching. B. Understand the exegetical process involved in sermon construction. C. Understand the role of prayer and meditation in sermon construction. D. Demonstrate ability in discerning a text s basic thrust (Big Idea) and how to construct a homiletic outline, complete with introduction, declarative statements, transitions, illustrations and conclusion. E. Demonstrate competence in writing full sermon manuscripts without being dependent upon them. F. Discern and develop confidence in one s own preaching style. G. Read several books related to various aspects of preaching. H. Listen to 3 sermons during the semester to be discussed in groups. I. Preach two sermons. J. Memorize several Scripture passages related to preaching. IV. Course Textbooks 1
Required: -Graeme Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000). -Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, 3 rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014). -Keith Willhite and Gibson, eds. The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching: Connecting the Bible to People (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998). -T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can t Preach: How the Media Have Shaped the Messengers (Phillipsburg: P&R, 2009). -Julius Kim, Preaching the Whole Counsel of God: Design and Deliver Gospel-Centered Sermons (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015). Eric Watkins. The Drama of Preaching: Participating With God In the History of Redemption. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2017. V. Course Requirements A. Complete all required reading. B. Submit two sermon manuscripts (due one week before you preach the sermon) a. I will e-mail feedback to you on the manuscript before you preach. C. Preach two 20 minute sermons. D. Listen to and discuss 3 pre-approved sermons with discussion group. See below for sermon evaluation criteria. E. Memorize assigned Scripture passages. F. Submit a 2-3 page paper describing and reflecting upon the sermon preparation practices of two pastors. G. Attendance is mandatory. To miss a weekend is to miss a third of the class and a student may be asked to drop the course. According to seminary policy, a student may not miss more than 3 hours of class with an excused absence. If a student misses more than 3 hours or has an unexcused absence, there will be grade penalties and extra work assigned. H. Late work will not be accepted without sufficient excuse. Please refer to page 38 of the student handbook for the grading index. VI. Grading Attendance/Punctuality: 10% Required Reading/Listening: 10% Sermon discussion group presentations: 10% Scripture memorization: 10% Reflection paper on sermon preparation: 10% Sermon 1: 25% Sermon 2: 25% VII. Course Calendar 2
A. Friday, September 21 st, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm a. Introduction to the course b. A Biblical Theology of preaching c. The servant and the word of the king d. Scripture memorization: 1 Corinthians 2:2 B. Saturday, September 22 nd, 2018, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm a. Scripture memorization (2 Timothy 3:16-17) b. Definitions of preaching c. What is expository preaching? d. Various models of preaching e. The Big Idea of preaching f. Steps in sermon preparation i. The science of preaching ii. The art of preaching C. Friday, October 19 th, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm a. Scripture memorization: Isaiah 40:6-8 b. Preaching Christ from all of Scripture c. Preaching application from all of Scripture d. The use and abuse of illustrations D. Saturday, October 20 th, 2018, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm a. Scripture memorization: Hebrews 4:12-13 b. Revised sermon manuscripts due for those preaching c. Trial sermons with evaluation (per schedule) E. Friday, November 16 th, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm a. Scripture memorization: Romans 10:14-15 b. Distinguishing evangelistic and ecclesiastical sermons c. Relationship between Word and sacrament d. Discussion of specimen sermons/preachers F. Saturday, November 17 th, 2018, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm a. Scripture memorization: 2 Timothy 4:5 b. Revised sermon manuscripts due for those preaching c. Trial sermons with evaluation (per schedule) d. Tying up loose ends G. Last day of the semester: December 17 th, 2018. ***I am available for appointments each Friday we have class in the afternoon, and am willing to make phone appointments during the week, as needed. Please contact me to schedule a meeting at ewatkins@gordonconwell.edu or 904-803-2287. VIII. Format for Trial Sermons 3
A. Each preacher will submit a full manuscript of the sermon they are about to preach. The sermon should be very close to 20 minutes long. Following the sermon, the course instructor will give pointed feedback to the student preacher. Following that, the class will be invited to do the same. B. Place your name, box number, date, and text at the top right corner of the first page. C. Indent and separate each paragraph. D. Make sure the structure of the sermon is clear from the manuscript. E. Remember the following: a. Subject: What is the biblical author talking about? Use interrogative statements (who, what, why, where, which, how?). b. Complement: What is the author saying about what he is talking about? c. Big Idea: Subject + complement = main exegetical idea. d. Homiletic Idea: Pithy statement of main idea in homiletic form. e. Purpose Statement: (Why you are preaching the sermon?). f. Homiletic Structure: (Based on text). g. Illustrations: (Appropriate to text and sermon). h. Gospel: With sensitivity to believers and unbelievers. i. Application: Derived from the text; anchored in the gospel. j. Conclusion: Corresponds to introduction. IX. Sermon Evaluation Form (See additional handout) A. Content a. Was the sermon exegetically based? b. Did the sermon prove the text? c. Was the Big Idea of the text clear? d. Was the gospel clearly applied to both believers and unbelievers? e. Was the application clearly anchored in the text and gospel? B. Delivery a. Did the sermon flow smoothly? b. Was the outline/structure clear and helpful? c. Was the introduction effective? Capturing? d. Were transitions smooth? e. Were illustrations appropriate to the text? f. Did the introduction and conclusion reflect communicative symmetry? g. Were listeners able to understand the preacher? h. Was the sermon convicting? Edifying? Comforting? i. Was there a clear sense of urgency, sincerity and passion? j. Was there demonstrable eye contact? C. Summary: What could be done to improve the sermon? X. Sermon Passages For PR 601 4
A. First sermon (from Exodus) 1. Exodus 20:3 2. Exodus 20:4-6 3. Exodus 20:7 4. Exodus 20:8-11 5. Exodus 20:12 6. Exodus 20:13 7. Exodus 20:14 8. Exodus 20:15 9. Exodus 20:16 10. Exodus 20:17 11. Exodus 20:18-21 12. Exodus 20:22-26 13. Exodus 32 (Golden Calf Incident) 14. Exodus 33 (The Intercession of Moses) 15. Exodus 34 (The Name of the LORD) B. Second sermon (from Hebrews 11) 1. Hebrews 11:3 2. Hebrews 11:4 3. Hebrews 11:5-6 4. Hebrews 11:7 5. Hebrews 11:8-10 6. Hebrews 11:11-12 7. Hebrews 11:13-16 8. Hebrews 11:17-19 9. Hebrews 11:20 10. Hebrews 11:21 11. Hebrews 1122 12. Hebrews 11:23-26 13. Hebrews 11:27-28 14. Hebrews 11:29 15. Hebrews 11:30-31 *The preaching rotation will be determined according to the number of students in the class. If you have family or friends who wish to come when you deliver your sermon, please feel free to invite them. Remember: preach as though preaching to the church and not to the class! XI. Classroom Decorum Please be punctual and refrain from texting, e-mailing, or surfing the web during class sessions. Students will be respectful of others during classroom discussions. Student preaching is an important, instructive part of the course. XII. Sermon Discussion Groups 5
Format: Each group will listen to and discuss 3 sermons from the Master Preacher Series (collection of sermons, available through the Gordon Conwell website at http://www.gordonconwellstore.com/searchresults.asp?search=master+preacher+series&submit =). Other specimen sermons may be used with pre-approval. Written confirmation of the assignment s completion is due from the group s leader by the last day of the semester. 1. What was the main/big Idea of the text that the preacher was trying to communicate? 2. Was the sermon clearly exegetical? Did it exposit the text or impose upon it? What were some key exegetical insights? 3. How did the introduction grab your attention? Did it make you want the preacher to continue? 4. Were illustrations appropriate to the text and topic? Overdone? Distracting? Which was the most memorable and why? 5. Was the gospel preached from the text, sufficient for the unbeliever to be converted and the believer to be comforted? 6. Was the application derived from the text? Anchored in the gospel? How so? 7. What did the sermon make you want to change about your life? 8. What audience do you think the sermon was aimed toward? 9. Did the conclusion complete what the introduction began? 10. What might you have done differently if preaching from the same text? XIII. Recommended Reading A. Preaching in General Arthurs, Jeffrey. Preaching with Variety: How to Re-create the Dynamics of Biblical Genres. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007. Azurdia, Arturo. Spirit Empowered Preaching. Greanies House: Mentor, 2003. Bos, Rein. We Have Heard That God Is with You: Preaching the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Capill, Murray. The Heart Is the Target: Preaching Practical Application from Every Text. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2014. Carrick, John. The Imperative of Preaching. Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002. Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. Clowney, Edmund P. Preaching and Biblical Theology. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2002. Dabney, R. L. Evangelical Eloquence: A Course of Lectures on Preaching. Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1999 edition. Gibson, Scott, ed. Preaching the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006. -------. Should We Use Someone Else s Sermon? Preaching in a Cut and Paste World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999). Horton, Michael S. Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012. 6
Johnson, Dennis. Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007. Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism. New York, Penguin, 2015. Kuruvilla, Abraham. A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2015). Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Preaching and Preachers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971. Marcel, Pierre. The Relevance of Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1963. Mathewson, Steven. The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002. Meyer, Jason. Preaching: A Biblical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013. Nichols, Stephen. Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving and Living God s Word. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004 edition) Robinson, Haddon. The Heresy of Application. Leadership Journal 18 (fall 1997): 20-27. Stott, John. Between Two Worlds. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982. Sunukjian, Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007. Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1954. Trimp, C. Preaching and the History of Salvation: Continuing an Unfinished Discussion, translated by Nelson Kloosterman. Dyer: Mid-America Reformed Seminary, 1996. B. Preaching from the Ten Commandments Clowney, Edmund. How Jesus Transforms the Ten Commandments. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007. Douma, J. The Ten Commandments: Manual for the Christian Life. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007, 1996. Ryken, Phillip. Written in Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today's Moral Crisis. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2010. --------. Exodus: Saved for God s Glory. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. C. Preaching from Hebrews 11 Brown, John. Hebrews. Carlisle: Banner of Truth Trust, 1994. Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Phillips, Richard D. Hebrews. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2006. Hughes, Philip. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Hughes, R. Kent. Genesis: Beginning and Blessing. Wheaton: Crossway, 2004. Kuruvilla, Abraham. Genesis: A Theological Commentary for Preachers. Eugene: Resource Publications, 2014. O Brien, P.T. The Letter to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010. Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980. -------. The Teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 1998. 7