2023
SCIENCE OF PREACHING
HOMILETICS
BIM-KENYA
1/24/2023
, Homiletics
The Science of Preaching
Contents
Note to Instructor.
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Homiletics.
Lesson 2 – Biblical Words associated with Preaching.
Lesson 3-4 – Feeding the Flock
Lesson 5 – The Preacher
Lesson 6 – The Purpose of Preaching
Lesson 7 – Types of Sermons
Lesson 8-9 – Choosing a Topic/Text
Lesson 10 – Researching the Topic/Text
Lesson 11 – Developing Principles from Research
Lesson 12 – The Thematic Statement
Lesson 13 – Constructing an Outline
Lesson 14 – Beginning the Sermon
Lesson 15 – Concluding the Sermon
Lesson 16 – Titling the Sermon
Lesson 17 – Illustrating the Sermon
Lesson 18 – Tips for Delivery of the Sermon
Session 19-– Giving and Evaluation of Sermons
HOMILETICS 1
,Introduction
The Homiletics course is most valuable when preceded by the course titled
Speech Communication. The course in Homiletics is designed to be a course
36 sessions in length where the student’s primary mode of learning is through
practicing what is being taught. The first half of the course focuses on
instruction, the rest of the course focuses on the giving of sermons. This course
is designed for each student to give a total of three to five speeches or sermons.
Some of this will be affected by the number of students in each class. Each of
these sermons is to be evaluated by the teacher with the evaluation form at the
end of the notes. To maximize the value if the experience it is essential that
the instructor meet briefly with the students to discuss each sermon. If at all
possible, the last two sermons should be video recorded so that the students
can see themselves and do an evaluation of their own sermons.
Lesson 1 Introduction to Homiletics
I. What is the definition of the word “Homiletics”?
A. The English word “homiletics” is most often defined as the “science or art of
preaching.”
“The branch of rhetoric that treats the composition and delivery of sermons”
“The art of preaching, so far as this is an art; sacred eloquence; the method of
addressing an audience on the highest subjects which, with the Divine blessing,
is most likely to affect the consciences, the hearts and the intellect of the
hearers.”
“Homiletics is the study of the composition and delivery of a sermon or other
religious discourse. It includes all forms of preaching, viz., the sermon, homily
and catechetical instruction.” --
Wikipedia
B. The Greek word from which the English word is derived sheds additional light
on the meaning.
1. There are three Greek words that form a basis of our English word
“homiletics.”
a. Homiletikos (from Homileo) which means “to be in company with, to
impart insights through sharing common time together.”
b. Homilia which means “communion and conversation”.
HOMILETICS 2
, c. Homilos which is composed of homos meaning “same” and ilos
meaning “crowd.”
2. These three Greek words can be summarized to define Homiletics as
“sharing insights through conversation with a crowd.”
Discussion Question: Why is it different speaking to a crowd as opposed to
speaking to an individual one on one?
“Preaching is personal counseling on a group basis.”
–Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1878-1969
II. What are some notable quotes regarding the subject of homiletics or preaching?
“Preaching is, in one regard, like bringing up children; we know all about it until we have to
do it; then we know nothing.” --George Buttrich, Jesus Came Preaching
Illustration: Teaching on Child Rearing moving from commandments, to tips,
to suggestions to abandoning teaching altogether.
“To the end of time, preaching can only be an embarrassed stammering. Do not
call it difficult, therefore; call it impossible.”
--A.C. Craig, Preaching in a Scientific Age,
1954
Ask Class: What do you think that A.C. Craig was trying to communicate?
“Preaching is an art, and in this, as in all other arts, the bad performers far
outnumber the good.” --Aldous Huxley, The Devils of London, 1952
“True Christian preaching is…a proclamation which claims to be the call of God
through the mouth of man and, as the word of authority, demands belief.”
--Rudolph Bultmann, Religion and
Culture, 1959
“Among all the duties of the pastor after justice and life, holy preaching is the
most
praised.” --John Wycliff, The Pastoral Office, 1378
“It is our duty to bark in the house of the Lord.” --A medieval preacher’s saying
III. Why should we study the subject of homiletics?
HOMILETICS 3
SCIENCE OF PREACHING
HOMILETICS
BIM-KENYA
1/24/2023
, Homiletics
The Science of Preaching
Contents
Note to Instructor.
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Homiletics.
Lesson 2 – Biblical Words associated with Preaching.
Lesson 3-4 – Feeding the Flock
Lesson 5 – The Preacher
Lesson 6 – The Purpose of Preaching
Lesson 7 – Types of Sermons
Lesson 8-9 – Choosing a Topic/Text
Lesson 10 – Researching the Topic/Text
Lesson 11 – Developing Principles from Research
Lesson 12 – The Thematic Statement
Lesson 13 – Constructing an Outline
Lesson 14 – Beginning the Sermon
Lesson 15 – Concluding the Sermon
Lesson 16 – Titling the Sermon
Lesson 17 – Illustrating the Sermon
Lesson 18 – Tips for Delivery of the Sermon
Session 19-– Giving and Evaluation of Sermons
HOMILETICS 1
,Introduction
The Homiletics course is most valuable when preceded by the course titled
Speech Communication. The course in Homiletics is designed to be a course
36 sessions in length where the student’s primary mode of learning is through
practicing what is being taught. The first half of the course focuses on
instruction, the rest of the course focuses on the giving of sermons. This course
is designed for each student to give a total of three to five speeches or sermons.
Some of this will be affected by the number of students in each class. Each of
these sermons is to be evaluated by the teacher with the evaluation form at the
end of the notes. To maximize the value if the experience it is essential that
the instructor meet briefly with the students to discuss each sermon. If at all
possible, the last two sermons should be video recorded so that the students
can see themselves and do an evaluation of their own sermons.
Lesson 1 Introduction to Homiletics
I. What is the definition of the word “Homiletics”?
A. The English word “homiletics” is most often defined as the “science or art of
preaching.”
“The branch of rhetoric that treats the composition and delivery of sermons”
“The art of preaching, so far as this is an art; sacred eloquence; the method of
addressing an audience on the highest subjects which, with the Divine blessing,
is most likely to affect the consciences, the hearts and the intellect of the
hearers.”
“Homiletics is the study of the composition and delivery of a sermon or other
religious discourse. It includes all forms of preaching, viz., the sermon, homily
and catechetical instruction.” --
Wikipedia
B. The Greek word from which the English word is derived sheds additional light
on the meaning.
1. There are three Greek words that form a basis of our English word
“homiletics.”
a. Homiletikos (from Homileo) which means “to be in company with, to
impart insights through sharing common time together.”
b. Homilia which means “communion and conversation”.
HOMILETICS 2
, c. Homilos which is composed of homos meaning “same” and ilos
meaning “crowd.”
2. These three Greek words can be summarized to define Homiletics as
“sharing insights through conversation with a crowd.”
Discussion Question: Why is it different speaking to a crowd as opposed to
speaking to an individual one on one?
“Preaching is personal counseling on a group basis.”
–Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1878-1969
II. What are some notable quotes regarding the subject of homiletics or preaching?
“Preaching is, in one regard, like bringing up children; we know all about it until we have to
do it; then we know nothing.” --George Buttrich, Jesus Came Preaching
Illustration: Teaching on Child Rearing moving from commandments, to tips,
to suggestions to abandoning teaching altogether.
“To the end of time, preaching can only be an embarrassed stammering. Do not
call it difficult, therefore; call it impossible.”
--A.C. Craig, Preaching in a Scientific Age,
1954
Ask Class: What do you think that A.C. Craig was trying to communicate?
“Preaching is an art, and in this, as in all other arts, the bad performers far
outnumber the good.” --Aldous Huxley, The Devils of London, 1952
“True Christian preaching is…a proclamation which claims to be the call of God
through the mouth of man and, as the word of authority, demands belief.”
--Rudolph Bultmann, Religion and
Culture, 1959
“Among all the duties of the pastor after justice and life, holy preaching is the
most
praised.” --John Wycliff, The Pastoral Office, 1378
“It is our duty to bark in the house of the Lord.” --A medieval preacher’s saying
III. Why should we study the subject of homiletics?
HOMILETICS 3
