Course Title: Homiletics

Instructor: Deacon Bill Brandt

Course Description: Basic Elements of Homilies; How to prepare to preach.

Specific Components Covered:

1. Basic definition of homiletics and its position within the Liturgy:

            a. What a homily “IS” and “IS NOT”;

            b. The Homily as an act of worship, a true Liturgical Action;

            c. Use of the homily to connect the Liturgy of the Word with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

2. Understanding the elements of solid, spiritual preaching that will invite listeners to encounter Jesus Christ in their daily lives:

            a. Steps to the proper preparation of a homily;

            b. Developing the main topic;

            c. Utilizing the “Twelve Step” process to prepare.

3.  Bringing the homily to life; focusing on the “Main Point”; putting it all on paper:

            a. Writing an attention getting Introduction;

            b. Delivering the message so that it invites action;

            c. Connecting the message to the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist;

            d. Handing over the message to your listeners so they will respond to its call to action.

4. Delivering the homily:

            a. Ensuring your homily is written to be spoken, not read;

            b. How to effectively practice preaching without listeners;

            c. Developing your own style of preaching;

            d. How to make maximum use of feedback and criticism.

Student Evaluation:

Students provide fully written out homilies to the instructor for review, and deliver their homilies in the classroom.  Peers and the instructor provide immediate verbal feedback to homilists. Subsequently, they fill out written review reports (sample below) which are collected and reviewed by the instructor, and then returned to the homilist.  Practice homilies are videotaped for review by students and in-depth analysis as needed.

HOMILETICS CLASS REVIEW SHEET

HOMILIST _____________________________ REVIEWER ___________________________

To maximize improvement, please be specific in your review.  Avoid comments such as “good”, “I liked it”, “a bit long”, etc. They are not useful without the reasons WHY you felt that way.

1. What was interesting to the congregation?

2. What was the goal and objective?

3. What was the topic?

4. What specific terms and examples were used?

5. What specific action(s) were called for?

6. Which parish group(s) was/were included?

7. How well did the homilist utilize his time?

8. Was the homilist believable?  State specifically why or why not.