RL-03 Course Outcomes for "Audio Lectures On the Common Lectionary"

The participant in Rick Lowery's course could reasonable expect to develop the following competencies, in full or in part, through participation in his Lectionary Year A Course lectures combined with appropriate readings related the the Lectionary AND the practice of preparation and delivery of sermons. Simply listening to the lectures, while a meaningful and even inspiring activity, will not in and of itself be considered an activity which confirms competency in any of the three areas noted below. Here are the three Competencies and the related Outcomes which are associated with the RL-03 course.

Biblical Knowledge

Be rooted and grounded in scripture and able to interpret and apply the scriptures in ways that are appropriate to original and contemporary contexts.

Outcomes:

• Read biblical texts from the First Testament effectively for preaching and worship;
• Assess and use critical commentaries and other resources (for example, print and online "sermon helps" and lectionary studies);
• Describe in broad terms the historical development of the Bible, including the social, economic, and political contexts out of which biblical literature grew;
• Distinguish literary genres and theological "schools of thought" that appear in the Bible;
• Identify the role which the experience and culture of the reader plays in the interpretation of biblical texts.

Proclamation of the Word

Know the practice and theory of Christian preaching. Be able to proclaim the Word of God, share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and help Congregational members apply their faith to daily life.

Outcomes:

• Develop sermons that help congregations recognize and respond to God’s presence and purpose as the divine as experienced in the stories of the faith;
• Use diverse homiletic possibilities relating appropriate form and styles of preaching to different situations;
• Employ an understanding of homiletic possibilities with respect to form and genre relating appropriate form and styles to different situations;
• Engage a biblical text in ways that respect its historical and theological integrity and preach so as to help the listener celebrate the diversity of the faith of the biblical community

Theology

Be able to articulate a coherent view of God’s nature and activity in relation to the Christian tradition, to critically engage human situations from a perspective of faith, and to help persons recognize theological issues in their daily lives.

Outcomes:

• Reflect theologically on contemporary issues related to the church’s pastoral practice and mission in the world;
• Read and critically evaluate theological texts in order to work with multiple theological approaches from a variety of cultural perspectives.