Preaching

Course Summary

This unit gives students the opportunity to explore the discipline and practice of preaching, from the fundamental questions of what preaching is and why we do it, through the process of creating a sermon, to the art of delivering it with impact. Students consider the challenges of preaching in a contemporary, post-Christian context, how to build a bridge between the biblical text and today’s hearers through expository preaching, and the character and formation of the preacher. The unit gives attention to preaching Christ and the Kingdom, preaching to the heart, sermon structure, genres and types, sermon delivery and care of the voice, the ethics of preaching, and partnering with the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it aims to deepen students’ capacity as informed and effective preachers of God’s Word.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate the preaching styles and sermons of others with a view to improving their own sermons and preaching.
2. Construct sermons which are biblically and theologically sound, demonstrate ethical and pastoral awareness, and employ sound homiletical principles and practice.
3. Deliver sermons using voice and appropriate rhetorical techniques effectively, and reflect critically on their ministry experience.
4. (Postgraduate) Formulate a theology of preaching based on their understanding of the nature and purpose of Christian proclamation.

Course Content

1. Why Preaching?
2. The Challenge of Contemporary Preaching
3. Preaching Christ to Post-moderns
4. Bridge-Building through Expository Preaching
5. The Preacher
6. Preaching Christ and the Kingdom
7. Preaching to the Heart
8. Preparation and Purpose
9. Essential Elements of Preaching
10. Types of Sermons
11. Partnering with the Holy Spirit

How the Course Works

The core lectures are given by Rich Nathan, founding pastor of Vineyard Columbus, alongside Aaron Chalmers, Tim Keller, Michael Green and Vineyard pastors from the We Are Vineyard preaching series. Each session includes videos or audio, readings, study notes, a practical preaching exercise, a short voice practice, reflection questions and a self-check quiz.

Recommended Texts

• Craddock, F. Preaching, 25th anniversary edn. Abingdon, 2010.
• Duduit, M. (ed.) Handbook of Contemporary Preaching, 2nd edn. B&H Academic, 2024.
• Hussey, I. (ed.) Preaching with an Accent: Biblical Genres for Australian Congregations. Morling Press, 2019.
• Keller, T. Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Scepticism. Hodder & Stoughton, 2015.
• Long, T. The Witness of Preaching, 3rd edn. Westminster John Knox, 2016.
• Robinson, H. & Larson, C. (eds) The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching. Zondervan, 2005.

Course materials for students →

Enrolled students receive the password by email.