COURSE OF STUDY SUMMER SCHOOL

CLAREMONT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY  

COS 214 – Practice of Preaching

Instructor: Rev. Dr M. Niponi Finau

Email: revnfinau@yahoo.com 

This course focuses on preaching the gospel, utilizing biblical exegesis, sermon preparation and delivery, and evaluation of preaching process. The course also offers students good preaching choices based on his/her congregational context.  

Course Objectives:

• Utilization of biblical exegesis for preaching with reference to the lectionary
• Awareness of and skills for understanding the context for preaching (congregation
• and community)
• Evaluation of sermons for biblical authenticity, theological soundness, and
• contemporary relevance
• Appropriation of insights gained from the evaluation of the student’s sermons
• Analytical participation in the evaluation of the sermons of classmates
• Development of skills in the ordering and delivery of a sermon

Required Texts:

      1.  Thomas G. Long – The Witness of Preaching, Second Edition[Westminster John Knox

      Press, 2005; ISBN 0664229433]

      2.  Henry H. Mitchell - Celebration and Experience in Preaching. Nashville: Abingdon

      Press, 1990; [ISBN 9780687047444]

      3. Fred B. Craddock – Preaching (Abingdon Press, 1990; [ISBN 9780687336487]  

Pre-Class Reading Assignment:

      Please read the texts before the first session and try to understand both the strategies and techniques offer by Long and Mitchell for sermon preparation and reflection.  

Pre-Class Assignment: [Due on the first day of class]

1. Write a 2 pages summary of chapters 3&4 from Long’s Book.

2. Write a 2-3pages review expressing personal reflection on chapter 2 and 3 in Craddock’s Preaching. Each paper 12pt, Times New Roman font and double-spaced.

   3. Type 1 page description of your local setting (context of your congregation).

Please include in your paper: urban/rural setting/ socio-economic/racial makeup, overview, etc.    

3. Please bring a question, issue or situation regarding the theology or practice of     preaching which you would like to discuss during the class session. 

Class Assignments:

      Each student will be assigned two chapters from the assigned readings. You will be required to lead the class discussion on important issues and aspects of the chapters. You should show that you have thoroughly comprehended the materials and be ready to share with your colleagues.     

Preaching Assignment

1. Be prepared to give 5-7 minutes homily on a text of your choice. Each student will be asked to preach once during the course. Students are also required to turn in the manuscript and outline, (3-4 pgs), on the day that you preach.
2. Be willing to participate in class evaluation of your performance.  

Course requirements:

1. Completion of Pre-class assignment.
2. Regular attendance and participation in class
3. Completion of assignments and required readings
4. Presentation of a sermon/manuscript.

GRADING:

Write a two pages summary on chapters 3&4 from Long’s Book.  10%

Write a review expression personal reflection on chapter 2 and 3 in Craddock’s Preaching. (2-3 pages)       10%

One page description of your local setting       5%

[All due on the First Day of the Class]

Leading, Participation and class Discussion      20%

Sermon Manuscript        15%

[See sermon manuscript examples in Mitchell, pgs:104-107, 122-124]