CP501: Syllabus Rev. Phil Print & Rev. James BrownWinter 2011 Bethel SeminaryFebruary 7-11 (intensive) W: 651-294-77008:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday philprint@crossroadschurch.cc

jamesbrown@crossroadschurch.cc

INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A basic course in the principles of biblical preaching and message construction designed to introduce students to the purpose, nature and techniques of communicating God’s Word to people. Particular attention will be given to one structural pattern in message preparation that will become foundational for a varied approach to preaching. The expository approach to preaching is emphasized. This course assumes a basic understanding of biblical interpretation and exegetical methods.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this course students should be able to:1. Identify the sermon idea (central idea) of any given biblical text. 2. Craft an introduction that rivets attention and introduces the sermon.3. Structure a message that brings focus and clarity to the main point(s) of a text.4. Deliver a biblical message that takes eternal truths and applies them to real life.

REQUIRED TEXTS:Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching, 2nd Edition (Baker, 2001). ISBN 0801022622Stanley, Andy and Lane Jones. Communicating For A Change (Multnomah, 2006). ISBN 1590525140Morgan, Nick. Trust Me (Jossey-Bass). ISBN 9780470404355

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:Mathewson, Steven. The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative (Authentic Media, 2002)Gibson, Scott. Preaching to a Shifting Culture (Baker, 2004)Eswine, Zack. Preaching to a Post-Everything World (Baker 2008)

ACADEMIC COURSE POLICIES:Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found in Blackboard/Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS

1. READING: Read textbooks as assigned. Students will be expected to incorporate learning from these readings in class discussion and in the delivery of their sermon.

2. SERMON/BIG IDEA: Write out your sermon idea (big idea) in one sentence according to the method described by Robinson and Stanley. In a one page document, show your Subject, Compliment, and Sermon Idea. You will use this work and the feedback from it in your final manuscript. Upload to Moodle by the date assigned.

3. SERMON BRIEF: Complete a “Sermon Brief” on your assigned text that answers the 3 key preaching questions, identifies the Big Idea, and is structured according to Stanley’s “me, we, God, you, we” preaching map. Upload to Moodle by the date assigned.

4. SERMON INTRODUCTION: Craft an introduction that grabs attention, raises a need and introduces the subject and sermon/big idea. Introductions should be double-spaced and up to 1½ pages in length. Students should begin thinking about their introductions as soon as their texts are assigned. You will use this work and the feedback from it in your final manuscript. Upload to Moodle by the date assigned.

5. SERMON CONCLUSION: Conclusions call listeners to commitment. They move listeners to be doers of the Word. We will spend time on this in class (until then follow Robinson and Stanley), and we will help you finalize your conclusion for your class sermon. Conclusions should be double-spaced and up to 1 page in length. You will use this work and the feedback from it in your final manuscript. Upload to Moodle by the date assigned.

6. SERMON MANUSCRIPT: Bring a sermon to full completion in manuscript form. You will submit to the instructor on the day you preach, one hard copy of a prepared manuscript of the sermon. The manuscript should be double-spaced, 6-8 pages in length, and have all major parts (introduction, conclusion, sermon idea, etc.) labeled. The manuscript is valued 10% of the final grade. In preparing your sermon, the sequence will be 1) textual analysis and exegesis, 2) development of the sermon idea and interrogative, 3) development of an outline (sermon brief), 4) writing the introduction, 5) writing a full manuscript, 6) and practice. Students should practice speaking their sermons numerous times before actual delivery in class. When writing your sermon, have an audience in mind, and be sure to note what audience you intended your sermon to be given to.

Caution: Do not finalize your message before class begins. If you try to finalize it before you have had some instruction, you will miss some key elements that will affect the final outcome.

7. SERMON DELIVERY: Sermons will be preached to the class on the final two days of the intensive. The sermon will be 20 minutes in length and will be evaluated by students and the instructors. Sermons will be graded on quality of content, clear use of the outline method taught in class, and effective engagement of the audience. We recognize that not all students will feel that the method of preaching taught in this class fits their style perfectly, but we expect each student to use the style taught in preaching this sermon. You will be required to give feedback to those in your Preaching Peer Group on Moodle in the post-intensive weeks, so be sure and keep your evaluations of those in your group. (You will be assigned a Preaching Peer Group at the start of class. Look at the class announcements to find your group.) You may preach from your manuscript, notes, note cards or from memory, but your sermon must not be read. You will speak it extemporaneously, with or without notes. Whatever helps you speak the message effectively will be permitted.

8. OBJECT LESSON: Bring an object (instrument, photo, ball, tool, anything) from home that you can use in class to give a 1-3 minute talk, using it as an analogy or insight to a biblical or moral truth.

9. EXAM: One exam will be given in class based upon Stanley and Robinson’s texts and class notes.

10. SERMON FEEDBACK: After the intensive, you will be expected to give feedback to each of the students in your Preaching Peer Group. Using the feedback model taught in class, please give constructive feedback to each of your assigned peers by the date assigned.

11. REFLECTION PAPERS: Write a 4-page, double space, 14 font reaction paper on Stanley’s book, Communicating for a Change. Describe the things that surprised you, what you took issue with, and what you agreed with. Additionally, listen to the Stanley message assigned by the instructors and write a 2-page paper on Stanley’s use of his preaching method. Upload both papers to Moodle by the date assigned.

12. MOODLE POSTS/FEEDBACK: In responding to each post, include at least 50 words of commentary. Also, be gracious in your critique of other students, and never take any criticism too seriously! We will be reading all posts by students and contributing intermittently.

ALL ASSIGMENTS TO BE UPLOADED IN MS WORD TO MOODLE BY THE DATE ASSIGNED.

GRADING PHILOSOPHY

A final grade of “A” is reflective of an extremely high demonstrated quality level for graduate studies with reference to the areas of (a) class preparation/participation, and (b) the development and delivery of an effective biblical sermon. A final grade of “B” is reflective of an above average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories. A final grade of “C” is reflective of average or below average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories. Due to the fact that preaching contains content (what you say) and delivery (how you say it) there is a degree of subjectivity in grading. Students must demonstrate proficiency in both areas in order to achieve a grade of “A”.

Students will also be expected to fill out a course evaluation at the end of the semester. Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade. Review this syllabus for how this will be calculated. An email with a link to the survey will be delivered on March 15 through your Bethel email account. If you have forwarded your Bethel email to another server, these emails may go into spam filters or junk email filters. If a student does not receive the email with the course evaluation link from Qualtrics by March 15, please contact Gloria Metz. Then please set your email account to accept emails from noreply@qemailserver.com.  For further information on the process, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index . 

Pre-intensive assignments - 5%Exam - 15%Sermon Manuscript - 10%Sermon Delivery- 65%Post-intensive assignments (including course evaluation) - 5%

PRE-INTENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Date Class Schedule Assignments DueJanuary 10-16

Week 1READ: Chapters 1-17 – Communicating for a Change by Stanley

Two Commentaries on assigned James passage

Post 1: What is your preaching experience?Post 2: From assigned James text, answer the 2 questions (p. 104) posed by Stanley.

Due: January 15 by midnight

January 17-22Week 2

READ: Chapters 1-5 – Biblical Preaching

Post 3: Using your James text, fill out Stanley’s preaching map (chapter 13). This will give you the overall structure of your message. Post 4: Using Robinson as a guide, state the “exegetical idea” of your James text.

Due: January 22 by midnight

January 24-29Week 3

READ: Chapters 6-10 – Biblical Preaching

Post 5: Craft an introduction to your James sermon (use Stanley p. 154 & Robinson chapt. 8) as guides. Remember: this will not be your final introduction.

Due: January 29 by midnightJanuary 31-Feb. 5

Week 4READ: Chapters 1-14 – Trust Me

Post 6: Give feedback comments to 3 other students’ introductions (how they grab your attention…how they can be improved)

Reflection Papers – Stanley’s book and sermon Post 7: Your one “takeaway” (what you learned) from Morgan’s book (one paragraph in length)REMINDER: Bring Object for Intensive

Due: February 5 by midnight

INTENSIVE SCHEDULE

Date Class Schedule Assignments DueFebruary 7

Week 5Introduction to the course – syllabusToday’s Preaching CultureThe Why of Preaching (Purpose)Introduction Subject/ComplementReview Assigned Texts from JamesPersonal Object Talks

1-3 minute talk using an object to make a Biblical point (bring object to class)

February 8 Planning Your PreachingReview Subject/ComplementThe How of PreachingThe Sermon Brief

1-3 minute talk using an object to make a biblical point (bring object to class)

February 9 Sample MessagesIntroductions/ConclusionsSupport Material

Completed Sermon Brief

Personal time with instructors for people wanting/needing help

February 10 Delivery Personal DisciplinesCrafting Words and StoryGenre Messages

Exam on Robinson and StanleyFirst group of students preaching in afternoon

February 11 Preaching Last group of students preaching

POST-INTENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Date Class Schedule Assignments DueFebruary 14-19

Week 6Off Off

February 21-26Week 7

Review: Video of sermons in your Preaching Peer Group

Post 8: Feedback on Preaching Peer Group sermonsDue: February 26 by midnight

February 28-Mar. 5Week 8

Post 9: Response: Respond to feedback on your sermon. How was your peer’s feedback helpful to you?Due: March 5 by midnight

March 7-12Week 9

Preach/video tape your sermon again and upload

Due: March 12 by midnight

March 14-19Week 10

Post 10: How this class has changed the way you think about preachingDue: March 19 by midnight