Assignment 1 Read Module 8 the sermon of Barbara Brown Taylor, “Choose This Day.”
Return and re-read from Module 8 the sermon of Barbara Brown Taylor, “Choose This Day.” Note carefully how she uses metaphors, images, and illustrations throughout the sermon.
Submit two examples directly from the sermon and explain in detail!
1) Showing how the preacher uses language to “represent” an idea — that is an illustration of an idea or thought on concept.
2) Showing how the preacher uses language to “present” or “disclose” meaning that is fresh and new for the hearers — that is as a metaphor. This should be 1 page paper
Assignment 2 Read Module 30: Real Life Examples: the role of story and story systems in preaching
After watching the online lecture about storytelling, write a personal story about a time in your life when you experienced a disruptive loss. This could be related to losing a thing (keys, cell phone, glasses, direction) or about losing someone (family member, friend, parishioner, teacher, etc.). Develop your personal story using the guidelines in the lecture. 1-page paper on this assignment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bo3dpVb5jw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egFYTmAz438&feature=youtu.be
Lecture/PowerPoint on Sermon Stories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egFYTmAz438&feature=youtu.be
Assignment 3
After reading and looking over my exegetical paper on JOHN; text from the Revised Common Lectionary, submit the following:
1. The statement of the theological meaning of the text in two sentences.
2. Answer the questions related to Williamson’s criteria for judging theological validity of the meaning of your text. Explain how the theological meaning of your text meets the criteria.
3. Flesh out the following statement based on the theological meaning of your text:
“In a world like ours where…”
“There is a God who….”
“Therefore, we will…” This sould be 1 page paper
Assignment 1
The use of language by Barbara Brown Taylor is dominant across the sermon as she tries to convey her ideas to the audience. She outlines a real life example of her own experiences during her vacations. In her narration, she shows a lot of enthusiasm about the experiences and chooses a destination of choice with a lot of zeal. In page 124, she explains that during such vacations, the walks are usually exhausting, people get hungry, wet and homesick. However, the leaders have to keep them going. She relates her own experiences to the Biblical story of the exodus. Using the idea of group leaders tasked with motivating and maintaining order in their groups, the preacher teaches her audience on the importance of Moses during the exodus.
The preacher goes on to explain the story of the Israelites who were facing a similar predicament to the preacher’s personal experience. In page 125, she narrates their predicaments while in the wilderness. The journey was full of tribulations and pain and they could not understand why they God had allowed them to go through these problems. The exodus was meant to save the Israelites from the hardships they had been experiencing in Egypt. Yet, due to human nature, they were unwilling to leave their comfort zones to serve God’s purpose. ..
The preacher uses the incident where the Israelites became impatient and created a golden calf to worship to explain an abstract idea of how people tend to worship certain things rather than being patient and waiting on God. The idol is a representative of the foreign things that we believe to be responsive to our needs such as relationships, money and investments. Manna is also used metaphorically. Despite the fact that God had given them the food freely, they disliked and complained about it. They rather wished to be provided with a variety of food. The preacher uses the incidence to illustrate our failures in acknowledging what God has given to us. The metaphor helps to pass a message that we should trust and depend on God for our needs as he cares for us.
Assignment 2
A few years ago when I was a high school student, I have a very close teacher called Mr Brown. Mr Brown and I had developed a personal rapport that enabled us to share a lot from the first day I set foot in the school. He was kind to me and was ready to help acclimatize to the new high school environment. I was not very good in maths but he took time to give me private lessons until I improved my grades. He was patient, kind and treated me with a lot of respect. . As a result of his efforts, I was able to sail through my first year successfully having with an almost perfect grade in mathematics.
One day in my second year in high school, Mr Brown collapsed in class. is the incidence was not anticipated by anyone as he was a sturdy man who did not have a medical history. Mr Brown was rushed to a mission hospital near our school. In the hospital he was diagnosed to have suffered a severe cardiac arrest. A couple of students and I had an opportunity to visit him in hospital. The man I knew to be strong and healthy lay on the hospital bed helpless. He could only acknowledge our presence by moving his eyes. My teacher’s condition made me feel alot of pain and sympathy for him. I questioned God why this had to happen to such a good man. However, I had faith that he would get better and we would be soon enjoying a hearty laugh just like we used to before his illness.
Unfortunately, he lost the battle to the sudden illness. His death was a blow to me. Consequently, it severely affected my grades and social life. I performed very poorly for two consecutive terms. I did not have anyone to run to for help or someone whom I could confide in with my issues. I sought for advice from our school chaplain who guided me on recovering from the loss of a loved one. He encouraged me to overlook the loss and see the hopeful future that lay ahead in my life. He also offered to pray with me so that I could move on life and lead a normal life. After eight months of mourning, I was able to overcome the tragic death of my teacher.
Assignment 3
The exegesis explains that all the three Johannine courses of thought including ethical, christological and a combination of both as faith and love, are intertwined and bound by love, righteousness, hope and faith. They are seen through Christ who was sent by God to liberate us from our sins by dying on the cross.
According to Williamson, for a theoretical statement to be valid it must have rationalism, revivalism and sectarianism. It is based on this criterion that the theological meaning of the text is validated.. God sent His only son Jesus to die and liberate the sinners from their wicked way of life, and guide them through the new path of righteousness. This was an act of intense love of God for mankind.
In an ideal world like ours where sin occupies a significant part of our daily lives,we are faced by endless temptations and wickedness. There is a God who is merciful and sent his only son Jesus to liberate us from our sins due to his passion for mankind. Jesus Christ is a sign of hope to all Christians that they will ultimately see the kingdom of God. They will emerge victorious over sin if they strive to live a righteously and following the example set by Jesus Christ. In our lives, we experience agape love from God.
Comments
1. Sentence structure is still a problem
