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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Introduction to Preaching

Course Title: Department: Instructor: Prerequisites:

Introduction to Preaching Theology Rev. Dr. Gerald M. FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, PhD TH (Candidate), E-Mail Vita None

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
This course is an introduction into the preaching ministry. We will read what some have said about preaching and most importantly, we will read a number of sermons which ministers of different denominations and backgrounds have given.

Students, by the end of the course, should acquire an understanding of the dynamics of preaching and should be able to articulate and demonstrate the how, what and why of preaching. Students should begin to make inquiry into concepts of pluralism and congregational dynamics and how these impact the preaching enterprise.

To get the greatest benefit from this course, students should be participating in a local faith community.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings and particularly in their sermons. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would require us to write, "God wills that everyone obeys God’s will."

REQUIREMENTS

1. Readings. The required texts are: Online Book Store

1. Long & Plantinga, eds., "A Chorus of Witnesses: Model Sermons for Today’s Preacher," softcover, Eerdmans Press. ("Long & Plantiga") ISBN #: 0802801323
2. Stone & Duke, "How to Think Theologically," softcover, Fortress Press. ("Stone") ISBN #: 0800629671
3. Long, Thomas G., "Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible," softcover, Fortress Press. ("Long") ISBN #: 0800623134
4. Troeger, Thomas H., "Ten Strategies for Preaching in a Multi Media Culture," softcover, Abington Press. ("Troeger") ISBN #: 0687007011
5. Trimiew, Darryl M., "Out of Mighty Waters," softcover, Chalice Press. ("Trimiew") ISBN #: 0827227086

2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet Conferences with the professor by sending an e-mail to the professor with a proposed date and time and the reason for the conference. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.

3. Exams. There will be two exams: a mid-term examination which must be taken by the end of the third week and a comprehensive final examination which must be taken by the end of the sixth week. The exams will cover the assigned readings.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single- spaced pages or 1,250 words, and no more than five single-spaced pages, due at the end of each week’s readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. The papers should conform to the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian ’s, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:

Papers Midterm Exam Final Exam

30% 30% 40%

5. Grading Scale.

90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 59% or below

A Excellent B Above Average C Average D Below Average F Failing Grade

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.

WEEK 1
Read all of Stone.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you reflect on your own theological views about preaching. What is preaching? Go to the Internet and type the word "preaching" into your search engine. How many "sites" do you get? List the first 25 and give a brief description of each one.

WEEK 2
Read the Preface and Part I of Long. Read the sermon at Sermon: Good Luck?

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you evaluate your theological understanding about preaching in the light of this week’s reading. What change(s) would you make in your views? Evaluate the sermon which you read? Is it faithful to the biblical passage quoted? Is it suitable to the place and time in which it is delivered? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? If you were asked to deliver this sermon, what, if anything, would you change, delete, or add?

WEEK 3
Read all of the remainder of Long. Read the introduction of Trimiew. Read "Robbery Without A Weapon," "Rise Up, O Man of God," and "Bridging the Chasm," -- these are all sermons in the Trimiew book.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you discuss the readings for this week. How do they aid your understanding of preaching? Write a sermon on Psalms 139:7-12 for a regular Sunday morning worship service.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE MID-TERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

WEEK 4
Read all of Troeger. Read "You are Accepted," "Have You Ever Heard John Preach?" "At the River’s Edge," and "The Eye of the Storm," from the Long & Plantinga book.

Discussion Questions:
Write a two to three sentence reaction to each sermon. Which one did you like the most? Why? Which did you like the least? Why? Write a sermon on 1 John 3:1-7 using one of the strategies recommended by Troeger. Be sure to list somewhere in the paper which strategy you are using.

WEEK 5
Watch at least five sermons on television this week.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you evaluate the content and delivery of each of the sermons. Was it clear to you to whom the preacher was preaching? What did you like or dislike about the sermons, their delivery? Which of the preaching styles do you wish to emulate the most? Why?

WEEK 6
Read the sermon by Jonathan Edwards, "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God"

Discussion Questions:

Write a paper in which you give your reactions to this sermon. What do you think of Edwards’ theology? How does it compare or differ from your own? Would you preach such a sermon today? Why or why not? What do you think of the way in which the sermon is structured (i.e. how it begins, the parts of it, how it ends, the illustrations used)?

REMAINDER: THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE TAKEN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.