Instructor(s)

Course Description

A basic study of the principles of sermon construction which includes selecting and interpreting the text, forming sermon objectives, and structuring sermons for content and style. The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a toolbox of skills that will enable him/her to preach effective biblical sermons in a sustained pastoral ministry. The student will study the priority of character, the history of preaching, and the mechanics of sermon planning, preparation, and delivery. Mastering the discipline of preaching is absolutely critical in order to maintain an effective pastoral ministry.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of sound hermeneutic principles.
2. Provide a sound working definition of expositional preaching.
3. Identify the sources for the development of sermon ideas.
4. Demonstrate the ability to write the foundational statements of the sermon.
5. Discuss both the ingredients and the process of constructing biblical sermons.
6. Identify the key elements of an expositional sermon.
7. Understand Otabil’s method of Expository Preaching.

Course Content

Topic

1. Why Study Preaching?
2. Characteristics of Faithful Preaching & Faithful Preachers
3. Preaching the Old Testament
4. Preaching the New Testament
5. Preaching a Biblical Sermon
6. Preparing Your Exposition
7. Naming the Text idea
8. Bridging from Text to Sermon
9. Writing Sermon Divisions
10. Planning the Oral Presentation
11. Expository Preaching
12. Otabil’s Expository Methodology
13. Theology of Preaching
14. Improving Your Preaching

Mode of Delivery

Instruction of this course would be lectures, tutorials, independent study coupled with some interactions, assignments, group works and research.

Reading Materials

1. McDill, Wayne. 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. 2nd ed. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2007. ISBN: 9781943965410.
2. Meyer, F. B. Expository Preaching. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2001. ISBN: 9781579106959.
3. Spurgeon, Charles. An All Around Ministry. London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1972. ISBN: 9780851511818.
4. Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. 3^rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2018.
5. Carter, Terry G. and J. Scott Duvall. Preaching God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Preparing, Developing, and Delivering the Sermon. 2^nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
6. Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. 3^rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014.
7. Richard, Ramesh. Preparing Expository Sermons: A Seven-Step Method for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.