COURSE PROSPECTUS

Evangelical Theological Seminary

PS 101 - Homiletics

Teacher: Mr. Samson Nesa Raj

MA Online course: December 1 – March 27
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to basic expository preaching theory and skills, emphasizing the
preparation and delivery of a theologically derived proposition/thrust of a biblical
text (a pericope) with accuracy, clarity, relevance, and interest. Students preach
one sermon and receive evaluation from fellow students and the professor.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND RATIONALE
A. Cognitive Objectives. As a result of taking this course the student will:
1. Recite the basic elements of expository preaching theory.
2. Produce homiletical outlines and propositions for selected texts.

B. Affective Objectives. As a result of taking this course the student will:

1. Commit to a form of communicating the Bible that goes beyond mere
explanation of content to include a specific life change response.
2. Integrate the wisdom and application of selected texts into the student’s
worldview and praxis.

C. Behavioral Objectives. As a result of taking this course the student will be

able to:
1. Develop and preach expositional sermons that are TRUE to the biblical
text, CLEAR and well organized, RELEVANT to the listeners' specific
needs, and INTERESTING to listen to.
2. Critically listen to and analyze others’ expository preaching.

D. Rationale
Based on an integration of exegetical and theological knowledge and skills
this course prepares students to communicate the Word of God by applying
Scriptural truths to life and ministry.

COURSE TEXT BOOK

Ramesh Richard, Preparing Expository sermons: A Seven step method for Biblical
Preaching.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
CLASS ATTENDANCE -5%
Attendance and class participation are a requirement of the course and, more
importantly, a ministry to other students, especially when they are presenting
outlines or speaking.
QUIZZES - 20%
You are required to read the book written by Haddon W. Robinson, Biblical Preaching and take
10 quizzes in their respective dates as scheduled below. I have uploaded the pdf file of this book
to Canvas.

Quizzes Chapters Due date

1. 1. The case for expository preaching 23/2/25-1/3/25

2. 2. What is the big idea? 2/3/25-8/3/25

3. 3. Tools of the trade 9/3/25-15/3/25
4. 4. The road from text to Sermon 16/3/25-22/3/25
5. 5. The power of purpose 23/3/25-29/3/25

6. 6. The shapes sermons take 30/3/25-5/4/25

7. 7. Making dry bones live 6/4/25-12/4/25

8. 8. Start with a Bang and Quit all over 13/4/25-19/4/25

9. 9. The Dress of Thought 20/4/25-26/4/25
10. 10. How to preach So people will listen 27/4/25-3/5/25

SERMONS - 65%
1. Any one preached sermons in live class (Microsoft Teams) with completed
manuscript. 25%
2. Two complete sermon manuscripts. 20%
3. Two complete worksheets. 20%
CLASS LECTURE SUMMARY – 10%
You need to write a five page summary of class lectures and submit at the end of
the last class.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL READING
Brown, Carolyn C., You can Preach to the Kids, too. Abingdon Press, 1997.
Chapell, Bryan, Christ-Centered Preaching, 2nd ed. Baker Academics, 1994.
Edwards, J. Kent, Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching. Zondervan,2005.
Galli, Mark and Larson, Craig Brian, Preaching that Connects. Zondervan, 1994.
Johnston, Graham, Preaching to a Postmodern World. Baker Books, 2001.
Mathewson, Steven D., The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Baker
Academics, 2001.
Robinson, Haddon W. and Robinson, Terry W., It’s All in How you Tell it. Baker
Books, 2003.
Rowell, Edward K., Preaching with Spiritual Passion. Baker Books, 1998.
Rummage, Stephen Nelson, Planning your Preaching. Kregel, 2002.
Wiersbe, Warren W., Preaching and Teaching with Imagination. Baker Books,
1994
Kuruvilla, Abraham, A vision for preaching. Baker Academic, Michigan, 2015.
Kuruvilla, Abraham, A Manual for Preaching. Baker Academic, Michigan, 2019.
Macarthur, John, Expository Preaching. Grace to India, Pune, 1998.
 COURSE INTRODUCTION
 The high calling of communicating the word of God!
 The greatest activity of mankind
 We are the prophets and apostles of our generation
 Ezekiel 36:22-23, “A prophet among you”
 A prophet - Speaks to the people for God
 A priest – Speaks to God for the people
 Holiness and love must not be separated
 We “speak” and “explain” God’s Word, His message to the people with
whom we live.
 Their eternal destiny (humanly speaking) depends on our preaching clearly
the Word of God so they can understand it and be persuaded to believe it.
 Therefore, we must get it right….KNOW the Word of God.
 We must speak it clearly and powerfully, even persuasively….preach
POWERFULLY.
 Our message must be structured skillfully so people can follow and
understand what God is saying to them through us….preach with IMPACT.
EXPOSITORY PREACHING
 To clarify the need for and meaning of expository preaching, i.e., to answer
the question, “What is expository preaching?”
 To verify the theological and historical demand for expository preaching,
i.e., to answer the question, “Why insist on expository preaching?”
 To specify the essential elements and steps involved in preparation for and
participation in expository preaching, i.e., to answer the question, “How
does one go about expository preaching?”
 To exemplify the reality of expository preaching, i.e., to answer the
question, “Who have been or who are promotors and practitioners of
expository preaching?”
 HOW ARE WE HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD?
 Lawyer or judge –for the motive of personal wealth, distorts the truth
in attacking the reputation and personal possessions of people.
 Quack doctor- by incompetence, hazards the health and life of
someone for the purpose of financial gain.
 Such people deserve to be considered criminals.
 Medical and legal associations have set standards in an attempt to
prevent such malpractice.
 What about you and me as the purveyor of God’s truth, the physician
of the soul?
 We shall be held responsible to God for any perversion of truth,
however witless, and for our negligence and lack of skill.
 We who preach God’s word face a higher court than the legal bar or
any medical tribunal.
 James 3:1; 2Tim. 2:15; Heb. 13:17
THE PREACHER AND THE TEXT
WHAT IS THAT EQUIPS A MAN TO BE QUALIFIED FOR
PREACHING?
Effective bible preachers always have two foundational attributes that
support their skill: they are men of personal integrity, and they have a high
confidence in the truthfulness, power, sufficiency, and usefulness of the
Scriptures.
THE PREACHER
 Every Bible preacher has a gap between the truths they teach and their
personal obedience to those same truths. Preachers of high integrity seek to
both minimize the gap and to guard the gap in appropriate ways.
 Teachers with a large gap between their content and their life are hypocrites
(actors who pretend to be one person on the platform and live completely
differently out of the platform).
 Teachers who don’t acknowledge the gap are self-righteous, wanting to be
the hero of their own preaching and teaching.
 Teachers of integrity are the same people regardless of who they are with,
what they are teaching, or where they go. Teachers of integrity are not afraid
to honestly acknowledge their own deficiencies and glorify the perfections
of Christ.
 Mathew 23: 1-4; Romans 2:17-24; James 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:11-16; 2 Peter 2
 In addition to integrity and honesty, we also want to pursue passion in our
preaching.
 Do we really FEEL what we are teaching? Do we BELIEVE it sincerely
from our hearts?
 Acts 17:16; Phil 3:18; Luke 19:41-42
 Because biblical preaching comes through YOU, the character of the
preacher is very important. Integrity in your life. Honesty with your speech.
Humility with your character flaws, sinful tendencies, and brokenness.
Passion and conviction in your words. Point people to Jesus as the Hero, not
yourself.
ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS OF THE PREACHER
 1. A saved person. Preaching has become a profession, a means of livelihood
for many in the present days. “They have been theologically educated,
ordained, taken holy orders, entered the ministry, and assumed the title of
reverend; but all the while have never been born from above.” Jesus calls
this as blind leading the blind in Matthew 15:14.
 2. A man who loves the Lord – 2 Cor. 5:14-15.
 3. Leading by example – 1 Cor. 11:1, 1 Thess. 2:3-10.
 4. Life of good virtues – I Tim. 3:1-7.
 5. A person who speaks for God – 1 Thess. 2: 3-6.
 6. A person who loves the congregation – 1 Thess. 2: 7,8.
 7. A good reader. He needs to love the Scriptures and read them regularly
(Ps. 119:97). Also read good books that will enrich his knowledge to be
relevant to the audience. Reading makes a preacher well informed to address
the congregation.
 8. A man of prayer. Praying for the people whom he serves (Luke 6:12, Eph.
1:16-23, Phil 1:4, Col. 1:12, 1 Thess. 1:2). Sincerely requesting the fellow
beleivers to pray for him (Rom. 15:20, 2 Cor. 1:11, Phil. 1:19, 1 Thess. 5:25,
Col. 4:3). Waiting on the Lord to learn the Scriptures, understand the
spiritual needs of the audience, and for the Spirit of God to bring the desired
fruit in the life of the audience.
 9. A person committed to spend time in preparation of sermons.
 10. A neat and tidy person – Isaiah 52:11. A person who cares personal
hygiene and appearance. A modest person.
 11. A genuine person. He should not be a person who is more interested in
imitating and following someone else style. Everyone is gifted by God so be
genuine to the God given nature instead of trying to be someone else.
 12. A man who cares and leads his family in godliness.
 13. Relying upon the Holy Spirit in every aspect of sermon preparation and
delivery and indeed, in all aspects of life. God accomplishes his purposes in
the believer’s life by two instruments 1. The Word 2. The Spirit.

THE RESULTS OF THE LACK OF CHARACTER, INTEGRITY,

AND PASSION IN THE PREACHER
 What happens when a pastor can preach well but doesn’t live out what he
preaches?
 Discourages the people
 Quenches the power of the Spirit
 Presents a false sense of spiritual maturity (as intellectual>holiness).
 Hurts the witness of the church
THE SPECIFIC WAYS TO IMPROVE PREACHERS’ LIFE
 Practice the spiritual disciplines.
 Stay in community, be accountable, under authority.
 Ask the Spirit to show you where there is a gap in your life/preaching.
 Take small steps of obedience and show your congregation what you are
doing.
 Be humble.
 THE TEXT
 In addition to pursuing integrity in your own life, you must have confidence
in the scriptures to be an effective Bible preacher. Not confidence in your
own wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, but confidence in the word of
God. Are we using the Word of God to support our opinions or are we
explaining, illustrating, and applying God’s commands?
 Many people say they believe doctrinally in the divine origin and complete
truthfulness of Scripture, but the way they teach the Bible shows that they
don’t have confidence in the usefulness and power of the Word of God to
actually transform people. So they use random verses to support their
teaching, rather than actually teaching people the word of God.
 Different church background- unchurched, catholic, charismatic
 We need to help people study the Word, understand the Word, and apply the
Word correctly.
 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for
teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that
the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
 This text speaks to the divine origin of the Bible (God’s word), but also the
usefulness of the Bible (it is profitable).
 What is it profitable for?
a. Teaching (what is true) - the path to follow (guidance
and instruction)
b. Rebuking (what is wrong) - when we are not in the
path –one’s error
c. Correcting (to what is right) - returning to the path
d. Training in righteousness ( how to obey)- stay in the
path- nurturing and disciplining /discipling

 We need less confidence in our wisdom and experience and more confidence
in God’s word. It is growth in the Scriptures that changes people and equips
them for every good work.
 There is no spiritual maturity without grounding in God’s word.
 Hebrews 4:12-13, speaks to the power of the Word of God. The Word is
living (not dead), effective (not powerless), and cuts to the core of the
human heart (doesn’t just deal with symptoms, but the heart).
 The point is that God promises that His Word is powerful and changes us.
He doesn’t promise that His power will go with our opinions and
experiences.
 Do we have confidence that Scripture is from God and is useful (2 Tim.
3:16-17) and do we have confidence that Scripture is powerful (Heb. 4:12-
13).
 If so, then we will teach the Bible and teach it well.
 Why don’t Christian preachers actually teach the Bible?
 They have seen the Bible taught poorly and have assumed that something
was wrong with the Bible. This is NOT true. The Bible is true, powerful, and
effective. What’s wrong is the Way someone teaches the Bible. They do so
without integrity, conviction, faithfulness to the text, or specific application.
 They have more confidence in their own wisdom than the wisdom of God.
According to the Bible, this is the ultimate foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:20).
We might produce something temporarily helpful, but we won’t have the
infinite power of God behind our wisdom.
 They use the Bible out of CONTEXT all the time. This is not something
wrong with the Bible. It is something wrong with the preacher’s approach to
the Bible. We have to study and teach the Bible in its context so that it
honors the God of the Bible.
 They don’t KNOW the Bible. We can’t teach something we don’t really
know.
 Isaiah 55:8-11 says the Word of God will not return empty.
 Do we have this confidence in our teaching?
 How do you know if you don’t have confidence in the Bible?
 What is the result of a teacher who doesn’t have confidence in the Bible?
CONVICTIONS OF EXPOSITORY/BIBLICAL PREACHING
HADDON ROBINSON
 The Bible is the word of God. Augustine says, “When the Bible speaks, God
Speaks.”
 The entire Bible is the word of God.
 The Bible is self-authenticating. This leads to a “Thus says the Lord.”
 The student of the Bible must try to get at the intent of the Biblical text.
 The Bible is a book about God.
 We don’t “make the Bible relevant,” rather we show its relevance.
 HADDON ROBINSON – DEFINITION
“Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived
from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of
a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality
and experience of the preacher, then through him to his hearers.”
DAVID L. ALLEN - DEFINITION
“A text-driven preaching is a sermon that develops a text by explaining,
illustrating, and applying its meaning. It stays true to the substance,
structure, sense and spirit of the text.”
JOHN STOTT
“To expand Scripture is to open up the inspired text with
such faithfulness and sensitivity that God’s voice is heard and his people
obey him.”
 Two convictions about the Biblical text
 It is an inspired text
 The inspired text to some degree is a closed text
 Two obligations in expounding the text
 Faithfulness to the biblical text
 Sensitivity to the modern world
 Two expectations in consequence
 God’s own voice to be heard
 God’s people will obey him
ABRAHAM KURUVILLA
 “There is no magic recipe – for … preaching. Therefore, there really is no
right and wrong in these endeavor(s), only wise and unwise (or good, bad,
and ugly)” and there is no fixed formula or method to make preaching
effective. God has used different preachers with various methodologies and
practices to edify people all the through the history.
 Definition: Biblical preaching, by a leader of the church, in a gathering of
Christians for worship, is the communication of the thrust of a periscope of
Scripture discerned by theological exegesis, and of its application to that
specific body of believers, that they may be conformed to the image of
Christ, for the glory of God – all in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
RAMESH RICHARD, PREPARING EXPOSITORY SERMONS:
A SEVEN STEP METHOD FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING.
 Background- Indian from Chennai, South India- began preaching on the
streets of Chennai as a teenager- member of Emmanuel Methodist Church-
faculty member of Dallas Theological Seminary – holds preaching seminars
in third world countries – runs the ministry named RREACH ( Ramesh
Richard Evangelism and Church Helps)
 Daniel’s Wood Sculpture shop in Nigeria
o “The tree is what God made; the sculpture is what Daniel makes with
what God has made.”
 Ramesh Richard says
o “The Bible is what God has made; sermons are what we make with
what God has made.”
 There is a parallel between sculpturing and sermon crafting
 What is the difference between a wooden sculpture and your sermon?
o A living tree is transformed into an inert peace of beauty.
o Your sermon, under the supervision of the living God transforms the
living word of God into a sermon that conveys, communicates and
creates life in your hearers.
THE IMPACT OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING
 It can help you grow personally in knowledge and obedience by your
disciplined exposure to God’s word.
 Conserve time and energy used in choosing a sermon for each week.
 Balance your area of “expertise” and preferred topics with the breath of
God’s thoughts in the Bible.
EXPOSITORY PREACHING IS ABOUT THE BIBLE AND YOUR
PEOPLE
 The dynamics of sermon preparation arise from the preacher’s relationship
to the Lord of the text. It is a serious exercise that must be bathed in prayer
and enabled by the Holy Spirit.
 God has spoken his final word in his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-4)
 Scripture is authoritative, inherent and sufficient. Our motto is always
Textus Rex – “the text is king.”
 The preacher submits to the authority of the text.
 Like any other skill, learning to preach will require effort, concentration and
practice.
DEFINITIONS OF EXPOSITORY PREACHING
“Expository preaching is the contemporization of the central proposition
of a biblical text that is derived from proper methods of interpretation and
declared through effective means of communication to inform minds,
instruct hearts, and influence behavior toward godliness.”
a. The “What” of Expository preaching -relates to content
b. The “How” of Expository preaching- relates to process
c. The “Why” of Expository preaching -relates to purpose
The “WHAT” of Expository Preaching
Contemporization
Main task of preaching (contemporizing God’s expectations of the
audience).
He takes what was written from centuries ago to present-day audiences
(NOT AN “UP-GRADE OF SCRIPTURE”)!!!! Because the Bible is
already relevant to human issues.
The preacher makes God’s claims meaningful to the local congregation.
The preacher faces two basic realities. a. The biblical text of the early
century. b. His context of the present century.
 Challenges:
What did the Text (Authorial intent) say to the original hearers?
What does the Text mean to us today?
Some emphasize “them” w/out us - Faithfulness
Some emphasize “us” w/out them – Sensitivity
Faithful, accurate preaching emphasizes both!
CONTEMPORIZATION
 WORD WORLD
 SCRIPTURE CULTURE
 TEXT AUDIENCE
 MEANNG SIGNIFICANCE
 “Thus says the Lord” “Thou art the man”
 The Central Proposition of a Biblical Text
 Historically the science or study of homiletics has emphasized “The
Main Point” idea...the big idea, the central point, the main
proposition...the central proposition.
 The most important part
 The hardest to see and to state
 The two parts: Theme and Thrust

Kinds of Biblical Exposition

Subjects Topical exposition Textual exposition

Features Preacher chooses the The text provides the theme

theme and governs and governs the purpose,
the development of parameters, and preparation of
the sermon. the sermon
 Strengths Immediate Long-term relevance
relevance
Requires discipline on the preacher’s part
Somewhat
easier to do

Weaknesses The text is at the The preacher is at the mercy of the text
mercy of the
Requires discipline on the preacher’s p
preacher
The preacher may get stuck in exegetic
Energy is wasted on
choosing the topic of
each sermon

Exposition means to expose, open up, put on display, to set forth

Three Questions to Ask about the Content of Textual
Exposition
1. Have I expounded the meaning of the text?
2. Have I expressed its central proposition in a
clear contemporary terms?
3. Have I exposed the audience to God’s truth
and claims for learning and obedience?
Interpretation: It relates to the author’s and the original audience’s
understanding of the text.
The Donkey Sermon-p 20, 21-
Jesus and the Donkey Luke 19:29-40
Your are like the donkey (29-30)
You are tied to someone other than the owner to whom you really belong.
You are still young-no one has sat on you
Jesus commands you to be set free (30)
He sets you free through his disciples (31-32)
There will be objections when you are being freed to serve Christ (33)
But He has need of you (34)
Are you Christ's donkey? (35-40)
Is He riding on you?
Are you bringing praise to Him?
1. This is “Moralistic” preaching…Don’t really need Scripture for this kind of
preaching.
2. Every text becomes an illustration of a higher, moral principle. E.g., donkey
is equated with human beings.
Your preaching has no authority but YOU!
3. Your preaching lacks textual authority
True preaching SUBMITS TO THE AUTHORITY
OF THE TEXT!!!
4. “Moralistic” preaching lacks objective interpretative control. Whatever the
preacher wants the text to mean.
5. The Central Proposition of the sermon is not derived from the Central
Proposition of the text (The preacher is first an exegete (read the text) of
scripture before he is an expositor (read the text and apply to the modern
context) of scripture)
Communication
Effective communication relates to the connection between the preacher’s and
present audience’s understanding of the text.
For our communication to be effective, we must understand the worldview,
reasoning process, and culture of the audience. And then, using analogies and
illustrations, appropriate style and delivery, and relevant application we will
claim their obedience.
Why are we preaching?
Expository preaching is the contemporization of the central proposition of a
biblical text that is derived from proper methods of interpretation and declared
through effective means of communication to inform minds, instruct hearts, and
influence behavior toward godliness.
Inform the mind(approves) -To know and understand God's truth
Instruct the heart (accepts)-To motivate the emotions
Influence behavior-will (obeys)-To change the behavior
(God’s perspective and Godly practice )
II Tim. 3:16, 17

From Text to Sermon

The Seven-Step Scripture Sculpture Process
Step 1: Studying the Text - The Flesh of the Passage
Step 2: Structuring the Text - The Skeleton of the Passage
Step 3: The Central Proposition of the Text - The Heart of the Passage
Step 4: The Purpose of the Sermon - The Brain of the Sermon
Step 5: The Central Proposition of the Sermon - The Heart of the Sermon
Step 6: The Structure of the Sermon - The Skeleton of the Sermon
Step 7: Preach the Sermon - The Flesh of the Sermon
David L. Allen -12 steps in preparing an expository preaching
1. Begin at the paragraph level, and then move to the sentence, clause, phrase
and word level.
2. Analyze the sentences and clauses within the paragraph.
3. Analyze the key phrases in the paragraph.
4. Do word studies of significant words in the text.
5. Do comparative translation work? Look at several translations to see how
they handle the text.
6. Consult commentaries.
7. Diagram the paragraph (syntactical/block diagrams)
8. Develop an exegetical outline from the previous data.
9. Develop the sermon (homiletical) outline from the exegetical outline.
10.Write the sermon body with a focus on exposition, illustration and
application.
11.Write the introduction and conclusion.
12.Think through delivery issues: how will you say it so that it reflects the spirit
of the text.

Maggie Low, Preaching that comes Alive proposes seven exegetical steps
1. Determine the limits of the text
2. Dig up the historical context of the text
3. Delineate the literary context of the text
4. Discern Genre, Form, and Structure
5. Dissect the syntax and grammar
6. Define key words
7. Discuss biblical theology
a. A holistic framework
b. A Christian framework