Instructor(s)

I.    COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Introduction to theories and practices of preaching in pastoral and liturgical settings. Students will study the various dynamics of preaching (theological, hermeneutical, pastoral, exegetical, ethical, liturgical) and their relation to the regular practice of preaching. The aim of the course is to help students understand what is required to preach effectively and to practice what they understand. Recitation sessions provide opportunity for students to preach and have their efforts recorded on video for playback and critique by the lecturer.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will: 

1.     Have a basic procedure that moves one from the biblical text to a sermon based on that text.  

2.     Develop skill in constructing a clear outline consisting of full, declarative sentences that relate to a basic idea. The outline should also show transitions in parentheses between the major points and if necessary the supporting points.  

3.     Understand the basic elements in sermon construction and what they should accomplish—introduction, central idea (based on an exegetical idea), transitions, illustrations, development of the sermon, and conclusion.  

4.     Begin to develop a skill in writing a sermon manuscript geared to the way listeners listen.  

III. COURSE CONTENT

Topics include: 

1.     Preparing to Preach: The Spiritual Life of the Preacher

2.     Theology of Preaching

3.     Engaging Social and Cultural Contexts

4.     Engaging Scripture : Defining Expository Preaching

5.     What's the Big Idea? and The Essentials of an Effective Sermon

6.     Choosing the Passage to be preached, studying the passages and Gather Your Notes

7.     Discover the Exegetical Idea & Analyze the Exegetical Idea

8.     Formulate the Homiletical Idea

9.     Determine the Purpose for the Sermon & Decide How to Accomplish the Sermon's Purpose

10. Outline the Sermon

11. Write the Manuscript

12. Deliver the Sermon: articulation, audible, aural, delivery, drama, embodiment, facial expression, gesture, inflection, kinesics, manuscript, notes, performance, performative language, posture, projection, rate

13. Occasional Preaching: Child dedication, ordination, funeral sermon, occasional preaching, wedding homily, etc

14. Extemporaneous preaching

IV. MODE OF DELIVERY

Through lectures, demonstrated examples, class interaction, group discussion, reading and assignments.

V.    READING MATERIALS

1.     Hogue, W. T. (2010). A Handbook on Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. Whitefish, MT.: Kessinger Publishing, LLC.

2.     Kim, M. D. (2017). Preaching with Cultural Intelligence. Ada, MI.: Baker Academic.

3.     Kuruvilla, A. (2019). A Manual For Preaching. Ada, MI.: Baker Academic.

4.     Ofori, A. O. (2015). Recovering Storytelling for Ghanaian Preaching: An Adaptation of the New Homiletics for an African. Bloomington, IN.: WestBow Press.

5.     Wallace, A. (2013). Homiletics Handbook: How to Preach and Teach. Scotts Valley, CA.: CreateSpace Independent Publishing.