CP501: Syllabus
Spring InMinistry 2013
May 2-4 (intensive)
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Rev. Phil Print & Dr. James Brown
Bethel Seminary
W: 651-294-7700
phil@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 0801022622
Stanley, Andy and Lane Jones. Communicating For A Change (Multnomah, 2006). ISBN 1590525140
Donovan, Jeremy. How to Deliver a TED Talk (self published). ISBN 1468179993
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:
Stanley, Andy. Deep and Wide (Zondervan 2012). IBSN 0310494843
Mathewson, Steven. The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative (Authentic Media, 2002)
Kinnaman, David and Lyons, Gabe. unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity (Baker
Books, 2012). ISBN 0801072719.
ACADEMIC COURSE POLICIES:
Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found
in 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, 4-8 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. Upload 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 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, please contact Academic Affairs. 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 - 10%
Exam - 5%
Sermon Manuscript - 10%
Sermon Delivery- 65%
Post-intensive assignments (including course evaluation) - 10%
PRE-INTENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS
Date
March 25
Week 1
Class Schedule
READ:
Chapters 1-17 – Communicating for a
Change by Stanley
Assignments Due
Post 1: What is your preaching experience?
Post 2: From assigned James text, answer
the 2 questions (p. 104) posed by Stanley.
Due: March 31 by midnight
April 1
Week 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.
April 8
Week 3
READ:
Chapters 6-8 – Biblical Preaching
April 15/22
Week 4-5
READ:
Chapter 9-10—Biblical Preaching
Due: April 14 by midnight
Post 6: Give feedback comments to 3 other
students’ introductions (how they grab your
attention…how they can be improved)
WATCH:
Posted lecture(s) from professors
Reflection Paper – Stanley’s book
Due: April 7 by midnight
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: April 28 by midnight
INTENSIVE SCHEDULE
Date
May 2
Morning
Week 6
Afternoon
Class Schedule
Introduction to the course – syllabus
Today’s Preaching Culture
The Why of Preaching (Purpose)
Introduction Subject/Complement
Review Assigned Texts from James
Personal Object Talks
Planning Your Preaching
Review Subject/Complement
The How of Preaching
Assignments Due
1-3 minute talk using an object to make a
Biblical point (bring object to class)
1-3 minute talk using an object to make a
biblical point (bring object to class)
May 3
Morning
Afternoon
May 4
The Sermon Brief
Sample Messages
Introductions/Conclusions
Support Material
Delivery
Personal Disciplines
Crafting Words and Story
Genre Messages
Preaching
Completed Sermon Brief
Personal time with instructors for people
wanting/needing help
Exam on Robinson and Stanley
Last group of students preaching
POST-INTENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS
Date
May 6
Week 7
Class Schedule
READ: Finding Your Voice by Dave Stone
(note: this book will be provided for you)
May 13
Week 8
May 20
Week 9
READ: How To Deliver a TED Talk
Assignments Due
Post 7: Which style fits your current
preaching style the best? (one paragraph
answer)
Due: May 13 by midnight
Post 8: Re-write your sermon manuscript
taking into consideration both student and
professor feedback.
Due: May 19 by midnight
Post 9: Your one take-away (what you
learned) from this book (one paragraph or
more)
Post 10: How has this class influenced the
way you think about preaching (one
paragraph)
Due: May 29 by midnight