Communications II (PT 522)
June 2-6, 2014
Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr. (rbelcher@rts.edu)
Course Description
This course seeks to continue the development of expository preaching by examining
how to preach from Old Testament narrative texts. It is primarily a lecture course that
lays a foundation for the preaching labs in the Spring semester where students will preach
from narrative texts. This course builds on the material of Homiletics I and seeks to
develop a methodology of how to preach narrative texts. There will also be an emphasis
on the theology of the Word of God as the basis for preaching within God's redemptive
program and on certain hermeneutical issues that arise in relationship to preaching
narrative.
Course Objectives
1) To understand how narrative works in order to preach effective expository sermons
from narrative texts
2) To develop a methodology of sermon preparation appropriate to Old Testament
narrative texts.
3) To lay a foundation for the necessity of preaching in understanding the theology of
preaching.
4) To introduce certain isssues related to the hermeneutics of preaching and its
significance for understanding the task of preaching.
Textbooks
The student should read 975 pages. The books in Section A are the required books for
this course. If a student has already read one of the books then the reading can be
supplemented by the list in Section B. The books in Section B are not listed in any
particular order and the student can decide which books to read. Some of the
books have chapters written by different authors and the student can pick and
choose based on the number of pages the student must read and the interest of the
student.
Section A
The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative, Steven D. Matthewson (Parts 1 and 2 and
Appendix A, 190 pages): this book discusses how to preach OT narrative and has
an excellent Appendix on the function of the imperfect waw consecutive in
Hebrew narrative
Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell (almost the whole book, 223 pages); if you
have already read Chapell, then read as a substitute Haddon Robinson, Biblical
Intro to Preaching Syllabus
2
Preaching (224 pages): these two books lay out the steps of how to put a sermon
together and explains the components of the sermon. Chapell's book raises some
hermeneutical issues that are discussed in the course
Preaching and Preachers, Lloyd Jones (chapters 1-9 [186 pages]); if you have already
read Lloyd-Jones, then substitute the number of pages from the list below. This is
a classic that lays out the necessity of preaching and discusses a variety of issues
related to preaching.
Spirit Empowered Preaching, Arturo Azurdia III (the whole book, 183 pages): this book
discusses the necessary role of the Holy Spirit in preaching.
Antinomianism, Mark Jones (130 pages): this book hits some of the hermeneutical issues
that are raised in this course related to the necessity of sanctification, which will
have implications for application in preaching.
"The Ebb and Flow of Lectio Continua Bible Reading in the English-Speaking Reformed
Churches, 1539-2000," by Terry Johnson in The Hope Fulfilled, 290-316: this
article discusses the history and importance of reading the Bible as part of
worship.
"Redemptive-Historical Themes in the Westminster Larger Catechism," by Robert Cara
in The Westminster Confession of Faith in the 21st Century (supplied to the
student): this article lays out hermenutical categories that are important for
understanding different approaches concerning how to preach
Section B
Between Two Worlds, John Stott (Eerdmans, 1982) [chapters 1-3, 134 pages]
He is Not Silent, R. Albert Mohler (Zondervan, 2008) [160 pages]
Preaching the Cross, eds. Mohler, Duncan (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) [160 pages]
Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching (Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2008)
[150 pages]
Assignments
1) The reading must be completed
2) Each student will have the opportunity to read a narrative text in class in order to
practice the public reading of Scripture; you must use the ESV so that the
professor can follow the reading (see the Handout on the Public Reading of
Scripture)
Intro to Preaching Syllabus
3
3) One sermon from an Old Testament narrative text must be written, which should
include the following (these will be explained in class)
a) a general plot analysis of the narrative which acts as the justification for the boundaries
of the preaching text (in other words, the preaching text may not necessarily
coincide with the chapter assigned the student)
b) a Homiletical Outline
c) state the audience to whom you are speaking
d) the proposition and main points should be in bold type
e) transitional statements should be in italic type
f) placement of the text (reference to verses) should be underlined, for example, v 7
Note: if you are planning on taking Preaching Lab II offered July 21-25, 2014, you will
be able to preach the sermon you have been assigned for this class from 2 Samuel. In
other words, you would turn in a written sermon for this class on 2 Samuel, and then
preach that sermon for the Lab in July. However, note that a written sermon, although
written with the prospect of preaching it, may be different in ways from the spoken
sermon.
4) The week-long class format provides some challenges for this class because there are
some assignments that we will discuss in class. Although you will have six weeks
after the class is over to complete all your assignments, some of the assignments
will be due during the week of class. There will be some time given during the
week to complete some of these assignments. If you want to complete some of the
reading/assignments before the class begins, the following are good places to start
(many of these are provided to the student on Self-Service):
a) Read "Brothers, Bitzer was a Banker," in John Piper, Brothers, We are Not
Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry (Nashville: Broadman & Holman,
2002), 81-88 and write out a statement that could be included in a philosophy of ministry
that explains why the original languages are important for ministry and how you plan to
keep up with the languages and use the languages in your ministry. This assignment
should be from ½ a page to one page and should be handed in.
b) Listen to a sermon that is provided for you on the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and
answer the following questions:
i) What is the sermon about as stated in the Introduction to the sermon?
ii) How is the lawyer characterized?
iii) What is the basic teaching of the parable of the Good Samaritan?
iv) What application is made in reference to the robbers of the parable? Evaluate.
v) Who is the Good Samaritan? How does that affect the conclusion to the sermon?
vi) How does the conclusion of the sermon match up to
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Intro to Preaching Syllabus
-the illustration of the homeless man
-the first observation made in the sermon about love
-the way the parable of the Good Samaritan ends
vii) How many times does the preacher point us to the text to establish his points?
c) Read the Johnson article, the Cara article, Matthewson, and Chapell
5) There will not be an exam for this class of Homiletics II
Grades
1) Written Sermon
2) Required Reading
3) Homework
4) Public Reading of Narrative
50%
20%
20%
10%
Note: RTS affirms that local churches, denominational structures, parachurch
organizations, educational institutions, and missions agencies present many strategic
ministry and leadership opportunities where preparation through the M. Div. degree can
be particularly helpful for women and other non-ministerial students. While RTS limits
the MDiv preaching labs to male students, women in the MDiv degree program can either
(a) take elective courses in the place of the two preaching labs, or (b) take a directed
study in general communications, which may involve women or other non-ministerial
students attending a section of the preaching lab with similar but alternative assignments.
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Intro to Preaching Syllabus
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course:
Professor:
Campus:
Date:
Introduction to Preaching (PT 506)
Richard Belcher
Charlotte
March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined
the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process.
Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the
contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
Rubric




Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus.
Articulation
(oral &
written)
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Scripture
Significant knowledge of the original meaning of
Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research
further into the original meaning of Scripture and to
apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances.
(Includes appropriate use of original languages and
hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical,
and cultural/global perspectives.)
Reformed
Theology
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster
Standards.
Sanctification
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the
student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of
God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an
appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,
especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the
Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians;
and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture
to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Shepherd
Church/World
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to
lead a worship service.
Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in
spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings;
and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both
in America and worldwide.
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
Strong
Strong
a written sermons is required; the
theological basis and the
hermeneutics of preaching are
covered
Preaching focuses on the original
meaning as a basis for modern
meaning; there is an emphasis on
using the languages in
undertanding the original meaning
for preaching purposes
Minimal
the theology and hermeneutics of
preaching touches on a few issues
Minimal
discussions of application of the
text deals with sanctification issues
Minimal
the goal of preaching is to help
people do this
Minimal
respect for other methods of
preaching is encouraged
this is the heart of the course
Strong
None
None
although the importance of
shepherding to preaching is
commented on
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Intro to Preaching Syllabus
significant public issues.
None