This class will examine the use of humor and storytelling, starting with the book of Genesis and moving through the Bible looking for instances of storytelling and humor in the Old Testament, Gospels, and Epistles. The use of storytelling and humor will also be examined in church history by looking at famous preachers such as Luther, Edwards, Spurgeon, and Moody.
Then the use of humor and storytelling will be examined as a sermonic tool for use today. Modern sermons and writings on both the use of humor and the telling of stories will be read and listened to. Questions of appropriateness of humor, overuse of stories, proper storytelling technique, and how such tools can either hurt/help a sermon will be discussed.
The student should be prepared to think through the use of humor and storytelling in his/her own ministry. On the final day of class each student will be expected to tell a story to the class using some of the tools that have been learned.
- Teacher: Dr. Phil Letizia