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C104: Biblical Preaching

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Tom Ascol is the Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, Florida and serves as the Executive Director of Founders Ministries

COURSE MENTOR

Students must have a mentor to successfully complete the course requirements.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a basic introduction to Bible exposition with an emphasis on the teaching and preaching of Scripture based on the intended meaning of the text.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is an introduction to biblical preaching. The importance of preaching, its biblical basis, and the principles involved in the preparation and delivery of sermons will be investigated:

1. To introduce and demonstrate the practical importance of preaching in the work of pastoral ministry.

2. To identify exegetical, theological and practical principles which govern the work of preaching.

3. To help students learn how to develop biblical sermons.

Be able to apply theological and philosophical convictions for biblical exposition; Be able to apply principles for interpreting biblical passages for faithful exposition; Be able to prepare effective sermons for the local church; Know some effective models of biblical exposition; Value the work of the Spirit and the indispensability of prayer in preaching; Know some of the key historical developments in Bible exposition.

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REQUIREMENTS

READING (20% of course grade)

These texts are required reading to be completed by assigned dates during course:

John Stott, Between Two Worlds (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 1982). John Piper, The Supremacy of God in Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990). Steven Lawson, The Expository Genius of John Calvin (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust,

2008). D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011)

40th Anniversary edition. David Helm, Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today (Wheaton, IL:

Crossway, 2014).

WRITING – (40% of course grade): The four writing assignments for this course are listed below and must be double-spaced, 12pt New Times Roman font, with a title page:

TWO BOOK REVIEWS – (each worth 10% of course grade for a total of 20%):

Each review is to be 5 typed pages, interacting with the author’s main points. One of the reviews is to be of David Helm’s Expositional Preaching. The other review may be of any of the books listed the bibliography that is not also listed as a textbook. Any book less than 100 pages must be reviewed in conjunction with another book of any length. They may be reviewed together as one review, consisting of 5 pages.

TWO SERMON BRIEFS – (each worth 10% of course grade for a total of 20%):

Two 2–3 page sermon briefs are required. The form and substance of such briefs will be explained in the course of class lectures on the elements of a sermon. One of these briefs will be the basis of a sermon that the student preaches for the class at a date to be assigned.

COURSE PARTICIPATION— (20% of course grade): The study guide for each session will include discussion questions over the reading and lecture(s). Please complete all the readings for the session and print out a hard copy of your answers to the discussion questions so you are prepared for your meetings with your mentor. You will receive credit for doing your weekly assignments once you have met and covered the material with your mentor.

SERMON EVALUATION – (20% of course grade): Each student will evaluate one video of a sermon (provided online) during the class. A written summary of the evaluation is to be handed to your mentor. In addition, each student is to preach a sermon based on one of his sermon briefs. This sermon will be reviewed with your mentor.

The student is expected to spend a minimum of 2 hours per week completing work outside of class for every 1 credit hour of this class. The requirements (i.e., reading, writing, preaching, etc.) of this class are planned according to this expectation. All course work must be completed to the satisfaction of your mentor by the final week of the course.

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GRADING A = 95-100 B = 87-94 C = 77-86 D = 70-76 F = 0-69

(1) The student is expected to spend no less than 2 hours of out-of-class work per credit hour in this class. (2) This syllabus is meant to accurately reflect all expectations and assignments for this course. However, the professor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus at his discretion. (3) Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in an immediate failing grade on the assignment with no chance for resubmission. The professor does have the option either to allow the student to remain in and complete the course or to dismiss the student from the course completely. BIBLIOGRAPHY Adams, Jay. A Consumer’s Guide to Preaching: How to Get the Most Out of a Sermon. USA: Victor Books, 1991.

Alexander, J. W. Thoughts on Preaching. Repr. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975.

Barnhouse, Donald Grey. Let Me Illustrate. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1967.

Chapell, Bryan. Using Illustrations to Preach with Power. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

Dabney, R. L. R. L. Dabney on Preaching: Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric. Repr. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1979.

Gordon, T. David. Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2009

Jensen, Phillip D. and Grimmond, Paul. The Archer and the Arrow: Preaching the Very Words of God. Kingsford, NSW: Matthias Media, 2012

Johnson, Dennis. Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Sriptures. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007.

Kistler, Don, ed. Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 2002.

Larsen, David L. The Company of the Preachers. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.

Logan, Samuel T Jr., ed. The Preacher and Preaching: Reviving the Art in the Twentieth Century. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1986.

MacArthur, John. Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1992.

Meyer, Jason C. Preaching: A Biblical Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.

Millar, Gary and Campbell, Phil. Saving Eutyches: How to Preach God’s Word and Keep People Awake. Kingsford, NSW: Matthias Media, 2013.

Montoya, Alex. Preaching with Passion. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2000.

Motyer, Alec. Preaching? Simple Teaching on Simply Preaching. Great Britain: Christian Focus 2013

Olford, Stephen F., David L. Olford. Anointed Expository Preaching. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1998.

Perkins, William. The Art of Prophesying. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982.

Shedd, William G. T. Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. London: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1965.

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Smith, Robert. Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2008.

Spring, Gardiner. The Power of the Pulpit: Thoughts addressed to Christian Ministers and those who hear them. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1986.

Stapleton, Michael. The Illustrated Dictionary of Greek and Roman Mythology. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1978.

Stott, John R. W. Biblical Preaching Today. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1961.

Stott, John R. W. The Preacher’s Portrait. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1961.

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TOPICS AND COURSE SCHEDULE

Class Lecture Topic Reading Assignment Due

1 Introduction and Overview The Priority of Preaching (1)

Lloyd-Jones (17-55)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 1)

2 The Nature of Preaching (2)

Lawson (1-38) Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 2) 3 The Bible and Preaching – Part 1 (3)

Helm (11–60) Discussion Questions

(from reading and lecture 3)

4 The Essence of Preaching–Part 1 (4) The Essence of Preaching–Part 2 (5)

Stott (7–49) Lloyd-Jones (56–74)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lectures 4 and 5) First Book Review Due

5 Obstacles to Preaching (6)

Stott (50–91) Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 6) Begin work on first Sermon Brief

6 Theological Foundations for Preaching Part 1 (7) and Part 2 (8)

Stott (92–134) Discussion Questions (from reading and lectures 7 and 8)

7 Theological Foundations for Preaching Part 3 (9)

Helm (61–112) Stott (135 – 179)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 9) Second Book Review Due 8 Systematic Theology in Preaching

Preparation of the Sermon: Part 1 (10) Part 1 continued (11)

Stott (180–210) Stott (211–261)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lectures 10 & 11)

9 Argument in Preaching (12)

Lawson (53–81) Lloyd-Jones (95–112)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 12) First Sermon Brief Due

10 Purpose in Preaching (13) Lloyd-Jones (133–176) Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 13)

11 Preparation of the Sermon (Part 2) Public Reading of Scripture (14) Extemporaneous Preaching (15)

Lloyd-Jones (75–94) Discussion Questions (from reading and lectures 14 & 15)

12 Preparation of the Sermon (Part 3) Sermon Workshop on 1 Peter 3:7 (16)

Piper (7–63) Stott (262–98) Lloyd-Jones (199–235)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 16) Second Sermon Brief Due

13 Sermon by Walt Chantry Sermon Evaluation 1 (17)

Lloyd-Jones (236–259) Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 13)

14 Sermon by Zane Pratt Sermon Evaluation 1 (18)

Lloyd-Jones (260–297) Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 14) First Sermon Evaluation

15 Use of Technology in Preaching From Preaching Notes to iPad (19)

Piper (65–110) Stott (299–340) Lloyd-Jones (298–341)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 15) Final Sermon Evaluation

16 Course Wrap Up Care of the Messenger in Preaching (20)

Lloyd-Jones (113–132) Lloyd-Jones (177–198) Lawson (39-52, 83-133)

Discussion Questions (from reading and lecture 16)

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