This document provides an overview of a short course on homiletics, or the art of preaching. It begins by asking the reader to consider what makes a preacher great or bad. It then defines homiletics and provides a working vocabulary. The document goes on to summarize a study that examined deviations from biblical teaching in 8 local churches, finding they did not center on Christ and did not follow best pedagogical practices. It concludes by recommending churches focus their teaching on Christ and incorporate modern teaching methods. The course will cover preaching the gospel, Christ, and the word from an overflow and will teach message preparation and delivery as well as God's design for preaching.

1. A SHORT COURSE ON
HOMILETICS
Jerry Smith, PhD
Missionary Pastor-Teacher
Faith Missionary Church, TN USA
MINISTRY ESSENTIALS TRAINING

2. Think of a great preacher
What makes/made him a GREAT
preacher?

3. Think of a bad preacher
What makes/made him a BAD
preacher?

4. What is homiletics?
• The art of preaching (in the Bible)
• The art of giving sermons (not in
the Bible)
Public speaking with a spiritual
purpose

5. Working Vocabulary
Sermon : (church service) an address of a religious
nature (usually delivered during a church service);
an instructive lesson from the Bible; a discourse
Preaching : <euaggelizo> to announce good news
("evangelize") especially the gospel: declare, bring
(declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the
gospel); to proclaim
Public Speaking : Delivering an address or message to
a public audience; speaking to an audience in public

6. 1. What is happening in churches?
1. Boring speakers
I can’t wait till this guy is finished!
2. Unprepared speakers
Uhh, uhhmm …
3. Long-winded speakers
What time is it? How much longer is this guy
gonna speak!

7. 2. What is happening in churches?
4. Men’s words instead of God’s words
Quoting from books instead of meditation
5. Christ-less messages
Where is the Lord in this message?
6. Good morals and emotional appeals
Sounds good, feels good, makes me cry

8. 3. What is happening in churches?
7. Hermeneutically unsound speakers
That’s not what the Bible says!
8. Speaking without knowledge / experience
I read it in a book!
9. Speaking without a point / telling stories
What are you saying?

9. 4. What is happening in churches?
10. Lofty theological terms
Huh?
11. Greek and Hebrew lessons
So, what does it say in English!?
12. Not filled with the Spirit
I’m shy …

10. A Study of Teaching in
Churches
A Qualitative Study Of Deviations
From ‘Christ Ed’ In Eight Local
Christian Churches In Cavite,
Philippines

11. Questions answered in the study:
1. Are local church teachers centering on the Lord
Jesus Christ in their teaching?
2. Are local church teachers basing their lessons
on the Word of Christ?
3. Are local church teachers following
pedagogical practices?
*Pedagogy : principles and methods of instruction

12. Major findings resulted from the
study:
1. Churches A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H were found
to be teaching lessons which deviated from
the Lord Jesus Christ as the central focus
2. Churches A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H were found
to be deviating from known pedagogical
practices that are conducive to learning:
*Deviate : to take a detour from

13. Conclusions of the study
1. Spiritual teachers should center their lessons
on the Lord Jesus Christ …
2. Spiritual teachers should remove elements
and practices which were non-conducive to
learning and incorporate pedagogical practices
which were conducive to learning.
*Non-conducive : Not good for

14. Recommendations of The Study
1. Spiritual teachers of churches B, D, C, E, F, G, and
H should center their teaching on the Lord Jesus
Christ.
2. Spiritual teachers of churches A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
and H should study the Bible more ...
13. Spiritual teachers of churches A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
and H should study modern pedagogical practices
in order to enhance the learning experience of the
learners

15. 18. Spiritual teachers of churches A, C, D, E,
F, and H should practice a variety of
teaching methods apart from lecture
method only …
19. Spiritual teachers of churches A, C, D, E,
F, G, and H should limit their lessons to less
than one hour …

16. What does it mean to PREACH?
To preach means to proclaim
Proclaim what?
good news / glad tidings

17. How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.
Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? as it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good
things!

18. What does it mean to PREACH
in the BIBLE?
Preach the GOSPEL
Preach CHRIST
Preach the WORD

19. In this course we will cover:
1. What it means to:
– Preach the Gospel
– Preach Christ
– Preach the Word
– Preach from Overflow
2. How to:
– Prepare a message
– Deliver a message
3. God’s design
4. Practicum