Biblical Preaching
Bread of Life
Theological Seminary, Spring 2016
PR 101, Three Units
Day and Time: Tuesdays
6:45-9:25pm
Professor: Alan
Miller, D.Min.
Office Hours: By
Appointment
E-mail:
alan.f.miller@biola.edu
Course Description
Equipping the student to prepare and proclaim sermons that are faithful
to Scripture and substantial for contemporary congregations.
Learning Objectives
As a result of participation in
this course and the completion of all course requirements, students will:
- Learn fundamental principles,
generalizations, or theories about biblical preaching. This will be
demonstrated by the student’s ability to do the following—
A. Define and
defend the basic principles of biblical preaching.
B. Describe
the major sermon forms and classify biblical texts accordingly.
C. Demonstrate
an applied understanding of the basic elements of biblical preaching,
particularly the development of big ideas and epistolary sermons.
- Develop a clearer understanding of and
commitment to growing as a student of preaching. This will be
demonstrated by the student’s ability to do the following—
A. Justify the
need for biblical preaching.
B. Investigate
uncharted areas of the homiletical process.
C. Foster a
value for the practice of biblical preaching.
- Develop specific skills, competencies,
and points of view needed by preachers of the Bible. This will be
demonstrated by the student’s ability to do the following—
A. Analyze
select passages of Scripture for the purpose of determining and expressing only
that meaning which is true to the biblical text.
B. Obtain contextually
accurate applications and points of significance through meditation upon the
meaning of a biblical text.
C. Craft
sermons that are both faithful to the original meaning of the text as well as fitting
for the contemporary church.
Required Reading
Robinson,
Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The
Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids:
Baker Academic, 2014.
Recommended Reading
Edwards, J.
Kent. Deep Preaching: Creating Sermons
that Go Beyond the Superficial. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009.
Guthrie,
George H. Hebrews. The NIV
Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
Sunukjian,
Donald R. Invitation to Biblical
Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance. Grand Rapids:
Kregel, 2007.
Requirements
1. Weekly Reading
The reading assignments for this
course are specifically tailored to provide the student with a broader and
deeper perspective that goes beyond what can be covered in the classroom. As
such, each reading assignment must be completed prior to the class session for
which it is assigned.
2. Scripture Interpretation & Exposition Projects
During the course of this semester
we will be studying the book of Hebrews in conjunction with the various topics
of sermon preparation. As a basic preaching class, it is important for students
to develop the ability to distill the big idea of a given text for the express
purpose of proclaiming that idea to the people of God today. To accomplish such
a task, students will undertake a varied interpretation and exposition of
Hebrews. Weekly handouts that further explain these projects will be
distributed in class.
3. Sermons
The summation of the entire
homiletical process will be found in the preparation and delivery of two
sermons. The primary objective of these exercises is to faithfully proclaim
God’s Word. Each sermon will be 15 minutes in length and will follow the
pattern prescribed during the course of instruction. Students will not be
permitted to use notes as they preach. Sermon outlines and manuscripts will be
due by midnight of the Sunday before the class is scheduled to preach, and this
material must be emailed to the professor.
1. Attendance
Regular attendance is critical for the
successful completion of this course. Students are allowed to miss one whole class session without
penalty. Every absence beyond this will result in a deduction of 3% from the final grade. If a student
leaves halfway through the class (and already has one unexcused absence) 1.5% will be deducted from the final
grade.
2. Late Policy
Assignments are due at the
beginning of the class period. Late assignments will be penalized one whole grade for each overdue day.
(Exceptions may be granted for medical/family emergencies.)
3. Format for Written Work
All written work must be done on a
computer. All papers must be typed in a 12 point font (Times New Roman only).
4. Plagiarism
All coursework must represent the
student’s own research. Failure to properly cite borrowed research will result
in an automatic “F”.
