Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance

by Don R. Sunukjian

Publisher:

Kregel

, 2007

Overview

Invitation to Biblical Preaching takes the reader step-by-step through the entire process of biblical preaching—from biblical study to planning to delivery. Both current pastors and those training for the pulpit will especially appreciate the book’s original content, profuse examples, and clear instruction. Two complete sermons (one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament) reinforce the text’s principles.

Key Features

• Includes a step-by-step guide to the process of preaching
• Addresses the key theological and practical issues
• Explores a synthesis of textual, topical, and expository preaching

Contents

Part 1: “Look at What God Is Saying . . .”

• Study the Passage
• Outline the Flow
• Move from History to Timeless Truth
• Form the Take-Home Truth

Part 2: “Look at What God Is Saying . . . to Us!”

• Ask the Right Questions
• Select Effective Answers
• Sharpen the Take-Home Truth
• Shape the Sermon (Part 1): Structural Patterns
• Shape the Sermon (Part 2): Relevancy Patterns
• Shape the Sermon (Part 3): Chiastic Passage
• Create the Introduction (Part 1): Engage, Focus, and Set the Stage
• Create the Introduction (Part 2): Preview the Hunks and Announce the Passage
• Prepare the Conclusion and Title
• Write for the Ear
• Plan for Oral Clarity
• Deliver with Freedom

Top Highlights

“A biblical message is not so much, ‘This is what God said then,’ as it is, ‘This is what God is saying now, to you.’ The purpose of the sermon is not to impart knowledge but to influence behavior—not to inform but to transform. The goal is not to make listeners more educated but more Christlike.” (Page 12)

“Note that the sermon outline usually begins with the listeners, rather than with the text. The introduction probes the contemporary experiences of the audience and gives them a reason to listen to the sermon. Since the passage for the day will be God’s Word to them, start with their need for the message.” (Page 40)

“Our ultimate goal is not to ‘teach the Bible’ to people. Our ultimate goal is to ‘teach how what the Bible says fits their life.’” (Page 108)

“The passage outline, sometimes called an exegetical or textual outline, often states the points with grammatical precision (e.g., time when, manner in which, reason why, result of, means by which, cause of) and reveals the logical connections between them.” (Page 28)

“In fact, our people probably already know 90 percent of any biblical instruction we plan to give them. The reason they are not yet obeying biblical truth is not because they don’t know it but because they don’t yet buy it.” (Page 93)

Praise for the Print Edition

A practical guide to developing twenty-first century sermons that are biblically faithful, clear, and engaging. This is not ivory-tower theory; Invitation to Biblical Preaching offers down-to-earth insights and enough examples to spark dozens of great sermon ideas for any preacher!

—Michael Duduit, Editor, Preaching magazine

Provides succinct instruction and numerous concrete examples. . . . The chapter on oral clarity is worth its weight in gold. I heartily recommend this book for serious students who wish to handle God’s Word well.

—Kenneth E. Bickel, Professor of Pastoral Studies, Grace Theological Seminary

Filled with examples, appended with helpful samples, and written in the vernacular of the people, Invitation to Biblical Preaching will take its rightful place among the homiletics textbooks of our classrooms and in the stacks of refreshing readings for experienced pastors.

—G. Charles Sackett, Professor of Preaching, Lincoln Christian Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance
• Author: Donald Sunukjian
• Series: Invitation to Theological Studies
• Publisher: Kregel
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 376
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Preaching Resources

About Don R. Sunukjian

Dr. Don Sunukjian holds a Ph.D. in Speech Communication (1973) from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Th.D. in Bible Exposition (1972) from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor, associate professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, and currently serves as professor at Talbot School of Theology (California).