Sermon Preparation

HOM600
Tony Guthrie, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry/Preaching
tguthrie1961@gmail.com
tguthrie@legacyu.net
Cell: (404) 933-0418
Spring, Block B, 2016
The mission of Legacy Christian University is to educate students to become
kingdom-focused leaders who impact their communities for Christ.
Purpose of the Course
The purpose of this course is to provide quality theological education for students in the
discipline of sermon preparation. The course will also address the basic competencies of
hermeneutics, exegesis, text analysis and sermon construction.
Curriculum Competencies Addressed
This course will address the following curriculum competencies:
Exegetically: the ability to accurately interpret and effectively
communicate the Word of God in a variety of environments
Pastorally: to personify godliness in both personal and corporate
contexts, and to equip and skillfully shepherd the flock of God,
mobilizing disciples for kingdom growth.
Apologetically and Evangelically: to possess a distinctly Bible
worldview, the ability to present a theologically reasoned
explanation and defense of the historic Christian faith and the
Gospel to unbelievers in a clear and engaging way.
Academically: to initiate individual research and study new
questions oneself and to cultivate a pursuit of knowledge
Verbally: to effectively and accurate communicate through both
the written and the spoken word
Professionally: to be a role model of a moral and ethical
Christian business man or woman.

Course Description
A systematic and practical study regarding the nature and method
of preparing sermons. The focus of this course is upon sermon
content and form. Tools and resources will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
1. Select and interpret biblical passages for the purpose of drawing modern-day
application and life principles for the modern church.
2. Craft sermons and Bible studies through the use of a sermon development tool
known as the homiletical bridge. These sermons/Bible studies, when presented, will
flow naturally and instruct spiritually and practically.
3. Possess skills necessary for accurate verse by verse and book by book exposition of
the Bible. These skills will enable the student to draw practical conclusions or
meaningful inferences from the ancient text and apply to the modern audience.

Materials Needed for the Course

A computer with internet access (broadband recommended), Microsoft Word,
Windows Media Player, and any additional recommended texts.
Required Readings
The following texts and resources are required reading for class discussions
and are to be read in their entirety unless otherwise specified.
Required Texts
Students are encouraged to explore the variety of resources useful for contemporary pastoral ministry.
The texts listed below and in the Selected Bibliography will be helpful.
The following textbooks are required (will be cited in various class presentations and used in
assignments):
The Bible. You may use a translation of your choice, but the professor prefers the New American
Standard.
Evans, William. How to Prepare Sermons. Moody, 1962.

Guthrie, Tony. Crossing the Homiletical Bridge: A Journey from Accuate Exegesis to Meaningful
Exposition. Cumming: Heartworks Publications, 2010. The .pdf of this course is
available on Populi within the course. It is free of charge.
Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching. Baker Book House (Academic), 2001.
Course Teaching Methodology
The course will entail in-class lectures and discussion. Students will also
complete discussion boards within Populi.
Assignments and Evaluation Criteria
A. Examinations. The student will take one final examination. The exams content will be
based on lectures and assigned readings from the course textbook(s).
B. Sermon Preparation Exercises. The assignments are to be typed.
Each student will submit a two sermon briefs with an attached homiletical bridge on a
selected passage from the Epistle to the Philippians (the passages Phil 4:4-7 or Phil 2:511 may NOT be used). The professor or his grader will evaluate the homiletical bridge
and submit it back to the student for adjustments. The final manuscript will be based on
the adjusted homiletical bridge. Due: HB1 April 4 and HB2 April 25
B) Each student will submit a sermon manuscript (with attached and updated homiletical
bridge) based upon one of the chosen passages from Philippians. The manuscript should
reveal principles gleaned from the course and suggestions from the meeting with the
instructor. The length should be enough to cover 25-35 minutes in the pulpit. Due: May
9, 2016
(Note: no late manuscripts will be accepted except under EXTREME circumstances that
the professor is aware of ahead of time).
Course Evaluation
The professor will prescribe a grade based upon the students satisfactorily
completion of the following:
All course objectives will be evaluated through the grading of the course assignments and final
exam. Student participation and behavior in class will also be considered in the evaluation of the
course objectives and grading. Final grades will be determined as follows:
1. Discussion Boards
2. Mid-Week Assignment
3. Homiletical Bridge #1
4. Homiletical Bridge #2

20%
15%
15%
15%
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5. Manuscript
6. Final Exam

20%
15%

Course Policies
Assignment Submission
All assignments should be uploaded to Populi if possible. Assignments may
be e-mailed to the professor with prior permission.
Assignment Format
All assignments are to be typed, double-spaced with 12-point font (Times
New Roman preferred) and 1-inch margins unless otherwise indicated.
Assignment pages should be uploaded to Populi with a Turabian format cover
page that includes name, date of submission and assignment title. A
Turabian style guide is available online.
Academic Integrity
Each student is responsible for the academic integrity of his/her work. The
following are examples of violations of academic integrity: plagiarism,
turning in work done by someone else, submitting a paper which has been
submitted for another course, and cheating on a quiz or exam. These and
other violations of academic integrity may result in a failure of the course.
POPULI
Populi will be used extensively in this course. The student is responsible to
interact with Populi for grades, assignments, course documents and
announcements. The student is responsible for maintaining current
information regarding e-mail address on that system. If you need assistance
with Populi contact (Tim Payne, tpayne@legacyu.net)
Attendance
Regularity and punctuality in class attendance is expected of all students at LCU in order to
receive maximum benefit from the instructional program. Because class attendance very
positively impacts the learning process, the following attendance policies will be enforced:

Each student is allowed one (1) absence per class with no penalty.
No student may take a final exam or receive credit if he or she exceeds one
es of extenuating circumstances, appeal for credit must be made to the Academic
s appeal must be in writing, stating the reasons for the absences and must be presented
Dean before final exams begin for the semester in question.
The Academic Dean will consider a request for excused absence because of
ditions. If approved, the student will communicate with the professor and complete make
gned. The responsibility for initiating the request to make up class work missed is the
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Grading Scale
A+ = 97100
B-=80-82
C+ = 7779
D-=60-62
F = 064

A=93-96

A-=90-92

C=73-76

C-=70-72

B+ = 8789
D+ = 6769

B=83=86
D=63-66

Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact WHBCs Office of
Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at (tpayne@legacy.net) to make
arrangements for academic accommodations.
Course Schedule
Class
Sessions
March 10
March 14

March 21
March 28
April 4
April 11

April 18

April 25

May 2

Topic

Assignments Due

Course Introduction View Video

Introductory Matters
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Defining Expository
Preaching
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Matters Related to the Task
Spring Break
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Hermeneutics and Exegesis
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Structuring the Message
Part 1
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Structuring the Message
Part 2
Aspects of Expository
Preaching:
Functional Elements of
Preaching
Aspects of Expository

None
Read Chapter One of CHB
Read Chapter One of Evans
Read Chapter 2-5 of CHB
Read Chapter 2 of Robinson
HB#1 Due
Read Chapter 3 of Robinson
Read Chapter 4 of Evans
Read Chapter 6 of CHB
Read Chapter 6 of Robinson
Read Chapter 9 of Evans

HB#2 Due
Read Chapter 7 of Robinson
Read Chapter 9-11 of CHB
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May 9

Preaching:
Sermon Delivery
Final Exam

Read Chapter 8-9 of

Robinson
Manuscript Due

*The Professor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule as

needed.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Homiletical Books
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Creative Preaching: Finding the Words. Nashville: Abingdon Press,
1980.
________. Preaching as Theology and Art. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984.
Augustine. On Christian Doctrine. Translated by D. W. Robertson, Jr. Indianapolis:
Liberal Arts Press, 1958.
Baumann, J. Daniel. An Introduction to Contemporary Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker
Book House, 1972.
Berkley, James D., ed. Preaching to Convince. Waco: Word Books Publishers, 1986.
Bisagno, John R. Principle Preaching: How to Create and Deliver Purpose Driven
Sermons. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2002.
Blackwood, Andrew W. Expository Preaching for Today. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1953.
________. Preaching from the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1941.
________. The Fine Art of Preaching. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1947.
________. The Preparation of Sermons. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1948.
Bohren, Rudolph. Preaching and Community, translated by David E. Green. Richmond:
John Knox Press, 1965.
Bounds, E. M. Powerful and Prayerful Pulpits: Forty Days of Readings, Edited by Darrel D.
King. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993.
Broadus, John A. On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, 4th ed. Revised by Vernon L.
Stanfield. San Francisco: Harper and Row Publishers, 1979.
________. A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, 2d ed. Revised by Edwin
Charles Dargan. Nashville: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention, 1897.
________. Lectures on the History of Preaching. New York: A. C. Armstrong & Son, 1896.
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Brooks, Philips. Lectures on Preaching. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, n.d.
Brown, H. C. Jr., H. Gordon Clinard, and Jesse J. Northcutt. Steps to the Sermon.
Nashville: Broadman Press, 1963.
Bryson, Harold T. Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Book of the Bible.
Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1995.
Bryson, Harold T., and James C. Taylor. Building Sermons to Meet Peoples Needs.
Nashville: Broadman Press, 1980.
Burrell, David James. The Sermon: Its Construction and Delivery. New York: Fleming H.
Revell Company, 1913.
Buttrick, David G. Homiletic: Moves and Structures. Philadelphia: Fortress Press,
1987.
Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1994.
________. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, 2nd. Edition. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academics, 2005.
Chappell, Clovis G. Anointed to Preach. New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press,
1951.
Cothen, Joe. H. The Pulpit is Waiting: A Guide to Pastoral Preaching. Gretna: Pelican
Publishing, 1998.
Cox, James W. Preaching: A Comprehensive Approach to the Design & Delivery of Sermons.
San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1983.
Dargan, Edwin Charles. The Art of Preaching in Light of Its History. Nashville: The Sunday
School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1922.
________. A History of Preaching. Vol. 1. New York: Burt Franklin, 1905; reprint, New
York: Burt Franklin, 1968.
Davis, H. Grady. Design for Preaching. Philadelphia: Muhlenburg Press, 1958.
Decker, Bert and Hershel W. York. Preaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and
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EnduringApproach to Engaging Exposition. Nashville: Broadman and

Holman Publishers, 2003.
________.; Speaking with Bold Assurance. Nashville: Broadman and
Holman Publishers, 2001.
Demaray, Donald E. An Introduction to Homiletics. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,
1974.
Dodd. C. H. The Apostolic Preaching and Its Development. New York: Harper and Brothers,
1936.
Duduit, Michael, ed. Handbook of Contemporary Preaching. Nashville: Broadman Press,
1992.
Fant, Clyde E., Jr. and William M. Pinson, Jr. Twenty Centuries of Great Preaching:
An Encyclopedia of Preaching. Waco: Word Publishing, 1971.
________. A Treasury of Great Preaching, Vol.1 Dallas: Word Publishing, 1971,
1995.
Fasol, Al. Essentials for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.
Fasol., Al, Steve Gaines, and Ralph Douglas West. Preaching Evangelistically:
Proclaiming the Saving Message of Jesus. Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers, 2006.
Garrison, Webb B. The Preacher and His Audience. Westwood: Fleming H. Revell
Company, 1954.
Gibson, Scott M. ed. Preaching to a Shifting Culture: 12 Perspectives on Communicating that
Connects. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004.
Greidanus, Sidney. The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text: Interpreting and Preaching
Biblical Literature. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
1988.
Hall, E. Eugene, and James L. Heflin. Proclaim the Word. Nashville: Broadman Press,
1985.
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Hamilton, Donald L. Homiletical Handbook. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992.

Hybels, Bill, Stuart Briscoe, and Haddon Robinson. Mastering Contemporary
Preaching. Portland: Multnomah, 1989.
Johnston, Graham. Preaching to a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids: Baker Book
House, 2001.
Jones, Ilion T. Principles and Practice of Preaching. New York: Abingdon Press,
1956.
Jones, Peter. Capturing the Pagan Mind: Pauls Blueprint for Thinking and Living in
the New Global Culture. Nshville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003.
Jowett, J. H. The Preacher: His Life and Work. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers,
1912.
Larsen, David L. The Anatomy of Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,
1989.
Lawson, Steven. J., Famine in the Land. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003.
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Preaching and Preachers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing
House, 1971.
Loscalzo, Craig A. Apologetic Preaching: Proclaiming Christ to a Postmodern World.
Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2000.
MacArthur, John and The Masters Seminary Faculty. Preaching: How to Preach Biblically
(The John MacArthur Pastors Library). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2005.
(ISBN: 1-4185-0004-6)
McCartney, Dan, and Charles Clayton. Let the Reader Understand: A Guide to Interpreting
and Applying the Bible. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1994.
McDill, Wayne. The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. Nashville:
Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1994.
________. The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. 2nd edition (revised and
expanded) Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2006.
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Meyer, F. B. Expository Preaching: Plans and Methods. New York: George H. Doran
Company, 1912.
Miller, Calvin. MarketPlace Preaching: How to Return the Sermon to Where it Belongs. Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1995.
________. Spirit, Word, and Story: A Philosophy of MarketPlace Preaching. Grand Rapids:
Baker Book House, 1996.
Miller, Donald. The Way to Biblical Preaching. New York: Abingdon Press, 1957.
Morgan, G. Campbell. Preaching. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1937.
Pattison, T. Harwood. The Making of a Sermon: For the Classroom and the Study.
Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1941.
Perry, Lloyd M. Biblical Preaching for Todays World, rev. ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1990.
Phelps, Austin. The Theory of Preaching. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1903.
Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository
Messages. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980.
_________. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages, 2nd
edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001.
Sangster, W. E. Power in Preaching. London: The Epworth Press, 1958.
Shaddix, Jim. The Passion-Driven Sermon: Changing the Way Pastors Preach and
Congregations Listen. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2003.
Shelley, Marshall, ed. Mastering Contemporary Preaching. Portland: Multnomah Press,
1990.
Stanfield, V. L. Notes on the History of Preaching. Louisville: Printed by the Author, 1946.
Stevenson, Dwight E., and Charles F. Diehl. Reaching People from the Pulpit. New York:
Harper and Brothers, 1958.
Stott, John R. W. Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century. Grand
Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
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Sweazey, George E. Preaching the Good News. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1976.
Taylor, William M. The Ministry of the Word. New York: T. Nelson and Sons, 1876.
Thompson, William D. Preaching Biblically: Exegesis and Interpretation. Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1981.
Unger, Merril F. Principles of Expository Preaching . Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing
Company, 1955.
Vines, Jerry. A Practical Guide to Sermon Preparation. Chicago: Moody Press, 1985.
Vines, Jerry and Jim Shaddix. Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository
Sermons. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose-Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message &
Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
Wells, C. Richard and A. Boyd Luter. Inspired Preaching: A Survey of Preaching
Found in theNew Testament. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers,
2002.
Wilson, Paul Scott. A Concise History of Preaching. Nashville: Abingdon Press,
1992.

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