Spring 2014/Houston
PR500
Williams
PR500: FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING (4 Units). Jaclyn Williams.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce students to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. We will discuss the character and spiritual formation of the preacher, the nature and theology of preaching, and the principles of sermon construction. The course will include two opportunities to preach sermons in a safe, friendly environment, with feedback from peers and the instructor.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will grow in (1) their knowledge of the biblical understanding of Christian communication; (2) their ability to interpret, apply, and proclaim the biblical text using both solid exegetical methods and disciplined reflection to craft sermons; (3) their ability to express biblical truth relevantly and clearly to a contemporary audience, and will appreciate more deeply the need to preach out of genuine love for their listeners; (4) their ability to deliver spoken biblical messages with confidence, creativity, clarity, and power; (5) their ability to assess both their own preaching and that of others.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for 3.5 hours for 10 weeks. Depending on the enrollment, some additional time for student sermons may be added. The course has both lecture and practicum components. Students will preach two sermons (both recorded) on which they will receive feedback from class members and the instructor.
REQUIRED READING:
Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664229436, Pub. Price $25.00 [240 pp. assigned].
Lose, David J. Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802849830, Pub. Price $29.00 [272 pp.].
Nieman, James R. and Thomas G. Rogers. Preaching to Every Pew: Cross Cultural Strategies. Fortress Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632434, Pub. Price $18.00 [172 pp. assigned].
Taylor, Barbara Brown. Bread of Angels. Cowley, 1997. ISBN: 978-1561011421, Pub. Price $16.95 [176 pp.]. (Or another collection of sermons from Barbara Brown Taylor)
Select Reading: Students will choose one of the three texts below, which explore preaching from the perspective of a variety of cultures.
Gonzalez, J. L., and Pablo A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $21.99 [152 pp.]. .
Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.].
LaRue, Cleophas J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $17.00 [144 pp. assigned].
RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended reading will be available in the syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Attendance, class participation, feedback to peers (10%).
Prepare and preach two sermons. Students will turn in a manuscript and exegetical notes for both sermons (60%).
Book Review of one book from the selected reading list related to cultural perspective and preaching (15%).
Evaluation of 2 sermons from Barbara Brown Taylor (15%).
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.