Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary PR 601 Preaching: Principles and Practice in Preparing Relevant Biblical Sermons Course Syllabus Summer 2019 (May 21-August 26, 2019) Course Developers: Rodney Cooper, Ph.D.; Haddon Robinson, Ph.D.; Octavia Baker, D.Min. Course Instructor: Kent Mathews, Ph.D. kentmathews@sbcglobal.net Local Mentor: Approved Local EPC Pastor/Mentor GCTS Technical Support: servicedesk@gordonconwell.edu Course Description This course is designed to enable the student to construct an expository sermon utilizing exegetical skills. Students will gain experience with two main activities: (1) explaining a biblical passage and delivering a biblical sermon without notes. One semester of hermeneutics (either NT 501, OT 511, or NT/OT 517) is a required pre-requisite for this course. Gordon-Conwell Mission PR 601 relates to the mission of Gordon-Conwell by equipping the student to think biblically about the purpose of expository preaching. The literal, grammatical, historical and practical interpretation of the text, with its application to modern day congregants lives, is essential in developing mature followers of Christ. Course Relationship to the Curriculum PR601 is a required course in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) EPC program. PR 601 is an introduction to the principles of preparing relevant biblical sermons. Lectures and exercises cover a stage-by-stage explanation of how preachers think as they prepare to preach. The aim of the course is to help students understand what is required to preach effectively and to practice what they understand. Practice sessions provide opportunity for students to preach and have their efforts recorded on video, with the professors critique, for later reference and self-analysis. Access Those who wish to take this course, but are not in the M.Div. EPC program, may petition by contacting Douglas Price at dprice1@gordonconwell.edu.
Course Objectives The high-level goal of this course is for students to understand the principles of preparing relevant biblical sermons. This course focuses on providing a step-by-step process for students to gain experience explaining the main concept of a biblical passage, and delivering a biblical sermon without notes. Based on the vision and mission statements of Gordon-Conwell, it is expected that students will achieve the following outcomes upon completion of this course: Gain skills to develop a basic procedure that moves from the biblical text to a sermon, based on the content of the text (articles 1, 2, 5, 6 of the mission statement). Develop a working definition of expository preaching (articles 1, 5). Explain a term or the meaning of a segment of scripture, or explain how a passage fits into its context, or explain the implications of a particular text for theology or action (articles 1, 2, 5, 6). Develop skill in constructing a clear outline consisting of full, declarative sentences that relate to the basic idea of a text. This includes transitions between major points as well as optional supporting points (articles 1, 2, 5, 6). Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements in sermon construction and what those elements should accomplish (articles 1, 2, 5, 6). Develop the skills to use the sermon outline to write a sermon manuscript based on how the concepts of how audiences listen (articles 1, 2, 5, 6). Course Structure and Registration Courses in the EPC MAP program are offered in regular rotation by Gordon-Conwell. These select courses have been modified with the EPC ministry context in mind. Specifically, course requirements in terms of readings and assignments have been reduced so that a significant hands-on learning project can be undertaken as part of the course. In certain EPC MAP courses, the hands-on project can be completed within the bounds of the semester. In other cases, a project may warrant an extension of time to adequately complete. Students taking EPC MAP courses need to be either 1) admitted to a Gordon-Conwell degree program, or for those pursuing studies at another seminary, 2) admitted as a special non-degree seeking student at Gordon-Conwell. Students with questions related to Gordon-Conwell admission can contact charlotteadmissions@gordonconwell.edu. Students taking an EPC MAP course will complete a special registration form to transcript their course at a reduced price. Please contact cha-registration@gordonconwell.edu to obtain a copy of the form. Students taking one or more EPC MAP courses who are enrolled at other institutions should verify transferability with their institutions prior to registering. The registration deadlines are as follows. Please note, these may be subject to change in the first year that the courses are offered. For courses beginning the Fall semester, the registration deadline is the Friday before Labor Day; for courses beginning the Spring semester, the registration deadline is the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day; for courses beginning the Summer semester, the registration deadline is the third Friday in May.
Course Semester Start Fall Spring Summer Registration Deadline Friday before Labor Day Holiday Friday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Third Friday in May Method of Instruction: Course instruction will take place through a variety of methods, including posted online lectures and activities, ongoing interaction between the student and Local Pastor/Mentor, live meetings with other EPC students and mentors, live meetings with the Course Developer and/or Course Instructor, experiential practice, review and reflection exercises, and other instruction methods. Online Lessons in Canvas: The course content is structured around twelve online Lessons. Each Lesson, designed to be completed in one to two weeks, contains lectures, readings, assignments, and discussion with the Local Pastor/Mentor. The online Lessons are available in Canvas (https://gordonconwell.instructure.com), Gordon-Conwell s Learning Management System (LMS). Course Requirements: Required Readings and Resources Required J. Kent Edwards, Deep Preaching: Creating Sermons that Go Beyond the Superficial, (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009). ISBN 978-0-8054-4695-1. (208 pages) Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014). ISBN 978-0- 8010-4912-5. (256 pages) Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson, eds. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005). ISBN 978-0-3102-5248-1. (selections) John R.W. Stott, Between Two Worlds. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982). ISBN 978-0-8028-0627- 7. (351 pages) Keith Willhite and Scott M. Gibson, eds. The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching: Connecting the Bible to People. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003). ISBN 978-0-8010-9158-2. (182 pages) PR 601 Sermon Video Recordings (Resources in Canvas)
Recommended: Duane Litfin, Public Speaking: A Handbook for Christians. 2nd. ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981, 1992).ISBN 08010567561 Donald Sunukjian, Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance. (Kregel Publications, 2007) ISBN 9780825436 Lesson Topics The following are a listing of the seven Lesson topics in this course. Each Lesson is approximately one to two weeks in length. They are: Introduction to Expository Preaching Lesson 1: The Big Idea: Subject and Complement Lesson 2: Essentials of an Effective Sermon Lesson 3: Tools of the Trade Lesson 4: Do I Have Anything to Preach? Part I Lesson 5: Do I Have Anything to Preach? Part II Lesson 6: Homiletical and Preaching Ideas & Sermon Purpose Lesson 7: The Big Idea: The Shapes Sermons Take Lesson 8: Making Dry Bones Live Lesson 9: Getting Off to A Good Start Lesson 10: All s Well that Ends Well Lesson 11: Words on Target Lesson 12: Dynamics of Delivery Course Requirements Achievement of the course objectives will be measured through a variety of assignments and activities as described below. The successful completion of these activities will require each student to spend approximately 135 hours devoted to coursework. On average, students should plan to spend 10 hours per week on coursework. Descriptions of the assignments are listed in the next section. Course Assignment Course Reading and Lecture Viewing % of grade All required to pass the course. Online Assignments 30%
Weekly Meetings with Pastor/Mentor and Video Conferencing Group Meetings 10% Small Group Sermon Presentation 20% Final Sermon Presentation 40% Totals 100% Individual due dates can be found within the course in Canvas. Please consult the Course Schedule. The last day of the course (Monday, August 26) is the final day a student can submit work. Students needing additional time on their EPC MAP Project and Report can file for a one-time extension. Any extensions beyond this date must be determined and approved by the Registrar s office which will consult with the professor of record. Learning Activities I. READINGS, LECTURE VIEWING AND READING/VIEWING LOG In order to pass the course, students must complete all required reading and watch all of the recorded lecture materials. Students will submit a Reading/Viewing Log at the end of the course certifying reading and lecture viewing completion. Due Monday, August 26, 2019. II. ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS During each Lesson, students will complete small assignments and/or activities related to the content of the Lesson. Online assignments are worth a cumulative total of 30% of your final grade. III. WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH PASTOR/MENTOR Meet weekly (30-45 minutes) with your Pastor/Mentor to discuss course content, learnings, and as well as the practical project. In select weeks, in lieu of meeting with the Pastor/Mentor, students will meet with other EPC students taking the course through video conferencing. These 60-90 minute meetings will be facilitated by the Course Instructor or the Course Developer. A meeting log will be required at the end of the course. Weekly meetings are worth 10% of your final grade. Meeting log due Monday, August 26, 2019. IV. SMALL GROUP SERMON PRESENTATION In this course, you will be preaching twice. Your first sermon will be given in a smaller, more intimate environment. Students are encouraged to invite their mentor, family members, close friends, fellow students, etc. The student will
prepare the minimum of a 20-minute sermon and deliver the sermon in front of this small group. The sermon should be recorded and uploaded to the course for grading and feedback from the Course Instructor. A manuscript should also be included in the submission. Students should consult the grading rubric provided in the course s resources in Canvas. This assignment is worth 20% of your grade and is due Monday, August 12, 2019. V. FINAL SERMON PRESENTATION Your second sermon is designed to be preached in the context of a worship service. Ideally, it should be delivered within the final 1-2 weeks of the course end date (August 26). At the beginning of the semester, students will need to work with their current church or another church in town to identify and schedule a preaching date. In the event the student is unable to schedule a date, the student should consult with the Course Instructor for other options. The sermon length should be within the normal expectations of the worship service. The sermon should be recorded and uploaded to the course for grading and feedback from the Course Instructor. A manuscript should also be included in the submission. Students should consult the grading rubric provided in the course s resources in Canvas. This assignment is worth 20% of your grade and is due Monday, August 26, 2019.
Syllabus Addendum Academic Standards Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious breaches of personal and academic integrity. Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of unauthorized sources of information during an examination or the submission of the same (or substantially same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors. Plagiarism involves the use of another person s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook. ADA Policy The seminary complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student with a qualifying and authenticated disability who is in need of accommodations should petition the seminary in accordance with the stated guidelines in the Student Handbook. Cancellation of Class In the event the seminary has to cancel a class meeting (impending storm, professor illness, etc.), the Registration Office will send out an email (via the GCTS email account) notification to all students registered in the respective course. If the cancelation occurs the day of the scheduled meeting, the Registration Office will also attempt to contact students via their primary phone contact on record. The professor will contact the students (via GCTS account) regarding make-up. If a weekend class is cancelled, the class will be made up during the scheduled Make-Up weekend (see the Academic Calendar for the designated dates). For more info, consult your Student Handbook. Extension Policy Arrangements for submission of late work at a date on or before the end date for the semester as noted on the seminary s Academic Calendar are made between the student and professor. Formal petition to the Registration Office is not required in this case. This includes arrangements for the rescheduling of final exams. However, course work (reading and written) to be submitted after the publicized end date for the semester must be approved by the Registration Office. An extension form, available online, must be submitted to the Registration Office prior to the stated date. Requests received after this date will either be denied or incur additional penalty. For a full discussion of this policy, please consult the Student Handbook. Grades Faculty are expected to turn in final grades by January 15 for fall-semester courses, by June 1 for spring-semester courses, and by September 15 for summer-term courses. Grades are posted on-line within twenty-four hours of receipt from the professor. Students are expected to check their CAMS student portal in order to access posted grades (unless instructed otherwise).
Those individuals who need an official grade report issued to a third party should put their request in writing to the Registration Office.