PW 639 Narrative Preaching (Draft Syllabus)
Winter Semester, 2016
To develop Christ-minded leaders who make a difference in the world
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Lyle Buyer
Office: 780-906-1900 (cell phone)
E-mail: [email protected]
COURSE WEIGHT: 3 credits
PRE-REQUISITE: PW 431 Introduction to Preaching
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course consists of a study of the power of story as an effective means of communicating
Biblical truth and will provide opportunity to grow in the skill of using story in one’s
preaching ministry. While learning how to develop Biblical sermons based on narrative
passages will be the primary focus of this course, we will also explore the use of narrative
and image as effective communication tools in any sermon. The process of sermon
development taught in the course will follow the model and philosophy of sermon
development set forth by Haddon Robinson in his book, Biblical Preaching: The
Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. This course will also give students two
opportunities to preach. These sermons will be evaluated by the Instructor and by the class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:
1. Grow in overall understanding, ability and confidence in the preparation and
development of biblical sermons.
2. Understand the dynamics of an effective story and compelling story-telling.
3. Understand the power of story and metaphor as an effective tool for communicating
truth and eliciting response from your listeners.
4. Reflect on narrative sermons in a way that not only enhances your spiritual growth,
but also informs your preaching ministry.
5. Develop a sermon on a narrative passage that is faithful to the biblical text and deliver
it effectively.
a. Study a narrative passage and identify its main idea (exegetical, theological
and preaching forms of the main idea).
PW 639 – Winter Semester, 2016
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b. Develop the preaching idea of the sermon in a way that remains true to the
narrative form of the passage.
c. Develop an effective outline of the sermon.
d. Develop effective introductions, conclusions, applications, supporting
material and transitions.
e. Employ delivery techniques that bring energy, focus and interest to the idea
being presented.
6. Develop a preliminary understanding of first person narrative as an effective means of
communicating Biblical truth.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Mathewson, Steven. The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Baker Academic,
2002.
SECONDARY TEXTS:
Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth; The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale.
Harper Collins, 1977.
Lowery, Eugene. The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as narrative Art Form, Expanded
Edition. Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
Miller, Calvin. Preaching, The Art of Narrative Exposition. Baker Books, 2006.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. Basic Books, 1981.
Blomberg, Craig. Interpreting the Parables. InterVarsity Press, 1990.
Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching, Redeeming the Expository Sermon, 2nd ed.
Baker Academic, 2005.
Fokkelman, J. P. Reading Biblical Narrative, An Introductory Guide. Westminster John
Knox Press, 1999.
Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository
Messages, 2nd ed. Baker Academic, 2001.
Robinson, Haddon and Craig Brian Larson (eds.). The Art and Craft of Biblical
Preaching. Zondervan, 2005.
An excellent online resource is http://preachingtoday.com. I would recommend a
membership to this resource to anyone who preaches regularly.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Retell a Parable in a Contemporary Setting (10%)
Due: January 28
Take one of the following parables of Jesus and retell it as though it were taking place today.
I encourage you to exercise your creativity while remaining true to the original message and
impact of the parable. You may assume the role of a narrator or you may assume the role of
one of the characters in the story. The story’s length should be 4-8 minutes.
 The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
 The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
 The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
Anticipated time required: 3-5 hours
2. Reflection on the Narrative Sermon Manuscripts of Others (10%)
Due: February 11
At the end of Mathewson’s book, he offers five narrative sermons by various preachers.
Read the five and write a 2-4 page paper providing your reflections on the following
questions. Which sermon did you find the most effective? Why? Which sermon did you
find the least effective? Why? Which was most challenging or informative to your Christian
walk? In what way(s)? As you read the interviews following each sermon, what did you
find especially helpful or insightful? What did you learn about narrative preaching from
reading this section of Mathewson’s book?
Anticipated time required: 4-5 hours
3. Book Reviews (20%)
Due: February 25
Telling the Truth; The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale (10%)
Not only does Frederick Buechner do a masterful job of helping us see the elements of story
in the Gospels, he does so in a way that uses language and images instructive to anyone
wanting to tell a good story. Write a 1-2 page paper providing your reflection on his book.
What did you find insightful and helpful? How were you challenged? How do you respond
to the way Buechner uses language and images?
Preaching, The Art of Narrative Exposition or The Homiletcal Plot (10%)
Calvin Miller and Eugene Lowry approach narrative preaching from a somewhat different
angle than Steve Mathewson. Read one of these books and write a 1-2 page paper providing
critical reflection on the book. What do you think the author means by narrative exposition
or a narrative style of preaching? Where do you agree with the author? Where do you
struggle with the author? What did you find most insightful and helpful to you in your
development as a preacher?
Anticipated time required: 10-12 hours
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4. Preparing and Delivering 2 Biblical Sermon (50%)
First Sermon Due: March 10-24
Second Sermon Due: April 21-28
Prepare two sermons (15-30 minutes) based on biblical narrative passages. These sermons
should reflect the principles presented throughout the class. For the first sermon, you will be
asked to choose from a list of passages given at the end of the syllabus. Your passage should
be approved at the beginning of class on February 4. For the second sermon, you are free to
choose your own passage, but this should be approved by the end of class on March 24. For
both sermons, you will be asked to present in class your foundational preparation for the
sermon (subject, complement, exegetical idea, theological idea, preaching idea, sermon
purpose, preaching outline). This foundational material will be presented on March 3 (first
sermon) and April 7 (second sermon). The sermons will be preached on in class March 10,
17, or 24 (first sermon) and April 21 or 28 (second sermon). The expected length of the
sermon will be more precisely determined once the size of the class is known. For both of
your sermons, you will be expected to preach from no more than one page (may use both
sides) of notes. One of your sermons may be preached in the form of a first person narrative.
Each sermon will be marked as follows:
 Foundational Preparation (5%)
 Sermon Manuscript (10%)
 Delivery of Sermon (10%)
Anticipated time required per sermon: 12-18 hours
5. Evaluation of the Sermons/Foundational Preparation Presented by Your Peers (10%)
You are expected to be present when your peers are scheduled to preach and you will be
asked to fill out an evaluation and participate in a constructive evaluative discussion after
each is preached. You will also be asked to participate in evaluative discussion of the
foundational preparation presented by each student. Absence without cause at a class where
your peers are preaching or presenting foundational preparation will result in a deduction of
2%.
PENALTIES:
It is very true that Sundays come with weekly regularity and you can’t get an extension on a
sermon that needs to be preached. For that reason, class assignments will not be granted
extensions except in cases where circumstances present a legitimate conflict. In these cases,
the Instructor must be notified at least two days prior for assignments that are due during the
week of class and at least one week prior for assignments due after class. Authentic lastminute emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Assignments due after the
week of class are expected to be submitted on the date they are due and will be subject to a
10% reduction in grade for each two weekdays they are late to a maximum of two weeks,
after which they will not be accepted.
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EVALUATIONS:
Retelling a Parable
Reflection on Narrative Sermon Manuscripts
Book Reviews on Secondary Texts
Foundational Preparation for Sermons
Preparing and Delivering 2 Biblical Sermon
Evaluation of Sermons Presented by Peers
10%
10%
20%
10% (2X5%)
40% (2X20%)
10%
COURSE OUTLINE:
(This outline is preliminary and subject to modification)
January 21
Introduction to the Course
The Power of Story
Review Robinson’s 10 Steps of Sermon Preparation
To solidify concepts from this class, read Mathewson, 11-56
In preparation for next week’s class, prepare to retell a parable
January 28
Retelling Biblical Parables
During the week ahead, look through the list of passages from which you will be asked to
preach. In next week’s class, you will be asked to provide the passage you have chosen. No
more than two students will be allowed to preach on any one passage.
In preparation for next week’s class, read Mathewson, 57-90.
February 4
From Text to Exegetical Idea
 Choosing and Studying a Passage of Scripture
 Determining the Exegetical and Theological Idea
In preparation for next week’s class, read Mathewson, 73-113; Miller, 79-97.
February 11
Developing the Sermon Idea
 Developing the Preaching Idea
 Asking Three Developmental Questions
 Determining the Sermon Purpose
In preparation for next week’s class, read Mathewson, 112-145.
February 18
Developing the Sermon Outline
 First Person Narrative
 Determining the Shape of the Sermon
 Outlining the Sermon
In preparation for next week’s class, read Mathewson, 146-157.
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February 25
Writing and Delivering the Sermon
 Adding Supporting Material
 Adding the Introduction and Conclusion
 Writing the Manuscript
 Delivering the Sermon
March 3
Presenting the Foundational Preparation for Sermon #1
In today’s class, we will determine the preaching schedule for the next two weeks.
March 10
Sermons preached in class
March 17
Sermons preached in class
March 24
Sermons preached in class
March 31
No Class – Reading Days
April 7
Presenting Foundational Preparation for Sermon #2
In today’s class, we will determine the preaching schedule for the next two weeks.
April 14
No Class
April 21
Final Sermons preached in class.
April 28
Final Sermons preached in class.
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PW 639 PREACHING TEXTS (These are subject to change.)
Genesis 41
Pharaoh’s Dreams and Joseph’s Rise to Power
Exodus 18
Moses and Jethro
1 Samuel 22:1-5
David at the Cave of Adullam
2 Samuel 6
Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem
Daniel 1
Daniel and His Friends in Babylon
Matthew 7:24-27
Wise and Foolish Builders
Mark 14:32-42
Jesus in Gethsemane
Luke 1:26-38
Mary Chosen as the Mother of Jesus
John 6:1-15
Jesus Feeding the 5000
Acts 10:9-23
Peter’s Vision of the Sheet from Heaven
Acts 17:16-34
Paul at Athens
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