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Today marks the completion of our 4th class in Rock Sound’s Bible Institute. Emily and I were blessed to have this class taught by our pastor from FBC Frisco, Chuck Martin.
The course is a comprehensive look at Expository Sermons as well as Exegetical Preaching. We covered all the material from introductions to applications, and like most of the content, the students were being introduced to “new” material.
However, Chuck did a fantastic job of interweaving some of the key element from course #1, Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation – like Observation, Interpretation, and Application. One student commented to me that this is only the 3rd time she’s ever gone though this material and it is still falling into place. Practical use of the Bible Study Method in preaching will take continued practice and intentional effort.
Chuck brought something to the classroom that is invaluable, which is his years of experience as a pastor. When you’re preparing sermons week after week, you develop habits and practices that can’t be taught from a text book. Although the material we covered in class was good, the thing that amazed the students was Chuck’s insight into message planning, sermon preparation, and a holistic approach to Sunday morning by using creativity and collaboration.
At the end of the class and for their final exam, each student had to prepare a 15 minute sermon from the gospel of John, to which their classmates would evaluate them. This is always a highlight of this class. Although there were some places for improvement across the board (like tying your entire sermon around a “Big Idea” and practical applications) – I was shocked by what some of our students produced. We have some amazing communicators as well as some amazing students of the Word. I’m convinced that with more intentional practice with exposition we’ve got some excellent preachers in our class.
They concluded our last night of class with an unexpected gift for Chuck and holding hands in a circle singing “Bind Us Together.”It was a very meaningful moment.
We look forward to our next class, and we thank Pastor Chuck for his investment in us and our ministry and now in the lives of our students too!