week 5

· Make sure sermon ideas are clear and well worded.

· Tell the biblical story with imagination and realism.

· Recognize the usual phases of a narrative.

· Use language that appeals best to the imagination.

· Tell the story as would an eyewitness.

· Look for vivid imagery and narrative in the text.

This assignment involves the retelling of a selected biblical narrative in such a way as to use imaginative and vivid language and narration. Complete the exercise with the following steps:

1. Read the selected biblical narrative several times in different translations. Note here the theological purpose of the story as best as you can discern it.

The Theological purpose is to encourage believers to rejoice in the advance of the gospel regardless of our circumstances.

2. Notice the kinds of language used in the text you are studying:

· Figurative language – my imprisonment is for Christ

· Descriptive language – confident, envy, rivalry, good will, selfish ambition, not sincerely,

· Sensate language – Speak the word, Preach Christ, Confident in the Lord,

· Concrete language – Gospel, Christ, Lord

· Specific language – I am put here for the defense of the gospel, Christ is Proclaimed, I will Rejoice, preach Christ from envy and rivalry, speak the word without fear.

3. Analyze the dynamics of the situation and note them here.

· Setting - Prison

· Characters – Paul, Imperial Guard, everyone else, brothers

· Relationships – Preach Christ from envy and rivalry vs Preach Christ from good will,

· Dialogue – None

· Motives - preaching Christ even from envy and rivalry, some also from good will, do it out of love, to cause me distress in my imprisonment

· Divine involvement – The Gospel is advanced

· Surprises – Paul rejoices either way

4. Sketch the story by using five phases:

· Situation – Paul is in prison speaking to the believers in Philippi about how his imprisonment has advanced the Gospel.

· Stress – How can a man find joy in being a prisoner because of the envy of others?

· Search – How should believers respond to adversity in the Gospel ministry?

· Solution – Find joy in the advancement of the Gospel, whether in joy or in pain.

· (New) Situation – BECAUSE of his imprisonment, believers have become even more bold in advancing the Gospel.

5. Fill in from background research and imagination the phases of the story not described in the text.

When faced with first century imprisonment, most would find plenty of reason to be discouraged. The common solution would be to question God “why is this happening in my work for You?” Paul rejoices. Imagine the astonishment of the Imperial Guard to have a joyful prisoner.