What are God’s words or actions communicating about the nature and character of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? Discuss/describe how you have come to this conclusion by observing the text. How are the people in the passage interacting with or responding to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? Discuss/describe how you have come to this conclusion by observing the text. What does the people’s interaction or response tell you about them? Discuss/describe how you have come to this conclusion by observing the text. 5. Insights from Biblical Scholars After you have documented your observations of the text in #4, you will consult at least two scholarly commentaries to check your observations and conclusions. If you do not have commentaries in your library, please plan ahead to borrow them from ministry colleagues. If you use internet sources, choose scholarly sources rather than devotional sources or works primarily from preachers. Discuss how your reading of the commentators supported, extended, or challenged the key insights named in #5. Discuss how the commentators addressed the insights you documented in 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d. If your conclusions were challenged how did you resolve the tension or come to greater clarity? Was resolving this issue critical to understanding the central message of the passage? The questions here are prompting you to engage in a thorough and thoughtful discussion. Please cite your sources and include in the Works Cited at the end of this document. 6. Discuss any additional insights or discoveries you gleaned from your engagement with the commentaries and other sources that directly relate to your sermon’s focus and function. Why are these insights are important to your sermon? Please cite your sources and include in the Works Cited at the end of this document. 7. Considering the biblical and theological implications of the passage as it relates to your sermon’s Focus and Function, what of this passage runs counter to the cultural assumptions and values embedded in the context within which you will preach this sermon. How might the congregation find it hard to hear? Why? Respond in terms of your experience of the congregation and the community in which the congregation lives and witnesses. 8. Considering the biblical and theological implications of the passage as it relates to your sermon’s Focus and Function, what of this passage will resonate with the
please be thorough as you discuss both the strengths of your sermon and areas for improvement. ======================================================= 1. Biblical Content Score: *Discuss how the sermon communicates a clear and faithful understanding of the text. Where there any points at which stronger communication would have been helpful? *Discuss how the sermon communicates the central convictions of the Christian faith. Were there any points of ambiguity? *The application is faithful to the biblical and theological message of the text. Why do you think so? What might have made the application stronger? 2. Organization/Structure Score: *Introduction: Was a purposeful invitation into the sermon that immediately engaged the listener. Why do you think so? Could any changes or adjustments make the intro stronger? *Development: Was there recognizable and meaningful progression of thought with clear transitions? Why do you think so? Could any changes or adjustments make the development stronger and easier to follow? *Conclusion: Was a clear, decisive ending in support of the Sermon’s Function (no new information is introduced). Could any changes or adjustments make the conclusion stronger? * Sermon Title builds interest, reflects the focus of the sermon and is used effectively in the body of the sermon. Was that accomplished? Why do you think so? 3. Word Choice and Engaging Images and Illustrations Score: Purposeful, Clear, Rich use of language that engages the imagination and evokes emotion. Give examples of engaging use of language, word choice, metaphor or illustrations. 4.Non Verbal Communication Score: