5
Intro to Preaching Syllabus
Introduction to Preaching (PT 506)
Fall 2011
Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr. ()
Course Description
This course is an introduction to preaching that lays a foundation for the necessity of preaching for the church. It lays out a theology of preaching as a basis for understanding the role of preaching within God's redemptive program and explores some hermeneutical issues related to preaching. There is also an emphasis on the principles and process of sermon preparation.
Course Objectives
1) To lay a foundation for the necessity of preaching in understanding the theology of preaching.
2) To introduce the hermeneutics of preaching and its significance for understanding the task of preaching.
3) To develop the importance of the preparation of the preacher in preaching.
4) To develop a methodology of sermon preparation by working step by step through the construction of a sermon.
Textbooks
1) Christopher Ash, The Priority of Preaching (Ross-Shire: Christan Focus, 2009); read Chapter 3 and the Appendix
2) Robert J. Cara, "Redemptive-Historical Themes in the Westminster Larger Catechism," in The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century (ed. Ligon Duncan; Ross-Shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2009), 55-76. This book will be on reserve in the library.
3) Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005)
4) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971)
5) T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can't Preach (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2009)
6) Arturo Azurdia III, Spirit Empowered Preaching (Christian Focus, 2003); buy from the RTS Charlotte bookstore
7) R. Albert Mohler, Jr., He is Not Silent (Chicago: Moody, 2008)
Assignments
1) The assigned reading must be read (see the Schedule for the class). Although the reading is laid out according to the class schedule, the only reading that is tied to the class lectures is the reading in Chapell and the Cara article.
2) There will be a quiz each week which will include memorizing benedictions. The following translations may be used for this memorization: KJV, NKJV, NASV, NIV, ESV. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped and your first missed quiz is a dropped quiz regardless of the reason for missing the quiz.
3) There is one Exam based on the lectures covering the Theological Foundation of Preaching (Lectures 1-4) and the Hermeneutics of Preaching (Lectures 5-7).
There will also be a question on this Exam concerning the percentage of reading you accomplished for this class.
4) Two written sermons are required following the methodology laid out in the course.
a) Students will be assigned a text from Philippians and Amos.
b) On certain weeks assignments will be due from the Philippians texts in light of what is covered in class that week.
c) The sermon will follow the following format
i) state the audience to whom you are speaking
ii) propositions, main points, and subpoints should be in bold type
iii) transitional statements should be in italic type
iv) placement of the text (reference to verses) should be underlined, for example, v 7
d) The sermon from Philippians is due mid-semester (see the Class Schedule). The student will hand in a Homiletical Outline and the full written sermon.
e) The sermon from Amos is due at the end of the semester (see the Class Schedule). The student will hand in a Homiletical Outline and the full written sermon.
5) A "mini-speech" is required to give the student some exposure to speaking before a large group (length to be determined but either 3 or 4 minutes). The speech should focus on one or more of the following topics, but it must include comments on how preaching was significant to the topic.
a) conversion to Christ
b) the kind of church you grew up in
c) call to ministry
d) how you came to accept Reformed theology
Grades
1) Written Sermons 50% 4) Quizzes 10%
2) Exam 20% 5) Reading 05%
3) Homework Assignments 10% 6) Mini-speech 05%
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course: Introduction to Preaching (PT 506)
Professor: Richard Belcher
Campus: Charlotte
Date: March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning OutcomesIn 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.
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. / Rubric
Ø Strong
Ø Moderate
Ø Minimal
Ø None / Mini-Justification
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. / Strong / a three minute speech and two written sermons are required; a theological basis and the hermeneutics of preaching are covered
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.) / Strong / 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
Reformed Theology / Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. / Minimal / the theology and hermeneutics of preaching touches on a few issues
Sanctification / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. / Minimal / discussions of application of the text deals with sanctification issues
Desire for Worldview / Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. / Minimal / the goal of preaching is to help people do this
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.) / Minimal / respect for other methods of preaching is encouraged
Preach / Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. / Strong / this is the heart of the course
Worship / Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. / None
Shepherd / 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. / None / although the importance of shepherding to preaching is commented on
Church/World / Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. / None