Preaching: Exegesis and Theological Proclamation
Leading the Worshiping Community
About this course
An introduction to the basic principles of preaching: what sets preaching apart from other types of oral communication; how does one select biblical texts for preaching; what spiritual practices best serve the sermon design and preparation process; what exegetical questions best accord with faithful interpretation; what considerations bear upon the application of the sermon to Christian life; what delivery considerations merit the most intentional practice?
Course objectives
- Discover, identify, and apply the unique attributes of preaching that distinguish it from other forms of human communication.
- Identify and compare primary options for selecting biblical texts that will serve as the basis for messages (sermons) appropriate to the needs of the church, its worship, and its mission in the world.
- Interpret selected biblical texts with attention to both ancient literary and modern ecclesial contexts. Construct a theological (focus) statement that arises from the selected biblical text, and relate it (with a function statement) to Christian practice.
- Paraphrase focus and function statements so as to distinguish them from competing cultural claims, indicating corrective and edifying theological insights for the individual listener and the church.
- Compose and assemble weekly devotional messages that explain the selected scripture, summarize the theological claim, and appraise its implications for the Christian life.
- Organize and develop one devotional message into a sermon, delivered audibly and clearly
- Evaluate peer sermons and/or those by notable preachers in assigned readings or other media.
Who may participate?
All church leaders unless a prerequisite or a particular offering states otherwise.