Table of Contents

Illustrations xi

Foreword to the First Edition Haddon W. Robinson xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xix

Part 1 Preparing to Preach

1 The Challenge of Preaching Old Testament Narratives 3

2 The Christ-Centered Preaching Debate 15

Part 2 From Text to Concept

3 The Journey Begins 29

4 A is for Action 41

5 C is for Characters 65

6 T is for Talking 75

7 S is for Setting 81

8 Drawing Conclusions 87

Part 3 From Concept to Sermon

9 Starting the Second Half of the Adventure 107

10 Adding the Finishing Touches 121

11 Shaping the Sermon 127

12 Outlining the Sermon 137

13 Mastering the Storyteller's Craft 147

14 Entering and Exiting 165

15 Delivering the Goods 171

Appendix A Sample Sermon on Judges 17-18 179

Appendix B Using Hebrew in Narrative Exegesis 193

Appendix C Commentaries for Narrative Exegesis 221

Bibliography 229

Scripture Index 243

Subject Index 246