DESCRIPTION:

What is "Christian Formation and Discipling" about? How do we foster spiritual growth? What principles and processes undergird the church's ministry of bringing believers to maturity in Christ? What do we need to become in discipling others? What guide-lines help us become that? What is involved in calling others to discipleship? What foundations undergird our continuous growth in Christ? Because it is not enough just to know the truth, this course deals with the "how" and "why" of living and communicating God's truth to others with the purpose of growth and transformation into likeness. In Christian formation our focus is on life; our goal is transformation; the total community of believers is involved; modeling and interpersonal relationships are critical concerns, and equipping the laity is essential.

Presents the basis for a philosophy of ministry with practical implications for implementation of a ministry of Christian formation through teaching.

The class will meet twice a week including a permanent in-class small group. Class sessions will include demonstrations, experiential learning, discussion, and small group involvement.

Mulholland, M. Robert. Shaped by the Word. Upper Room, 1985.

Palmer, Parker J. To Know As We Are Known. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.

Course Reader from Bookstore, including Gelpi, Donald, "Conversion," in Committed Worship, vol. 1 (Liturgical Press, 1993); Gorman, Julie A., "Close Encounters of the Human Kind," in Community That Is Christian, 2nd ed. (Baker, 2002); Loder, James, "Transformation in Christian Education," in Christian Formation, ed. Astley, Francis and Crowder; McGrath, Alister, "The Journey," in The Journey (Doubleday, 1999), Merriam, Sharan B. and Rosemary S. Caffarella, "Key Theories of Learning," in Learning in Adulthood, 2nd ed. (Jossey-Bass, 1999); Myers, Chet and Thomas B. Jones, "The Case for Active Learning," in Promoting Active Learning (Jossey-Bass, 1993), Richards, Lawrence O. "Critical Thinking," in Journal of Christian Education (1994); Wilhoit, J., Theology and Christian Education Christian Education and the Search for Meaning (Baker, 1986).

Banks, Robert. Redeeming the Routines. Victor Books, 1987.

Chan, Simon. Spiritual Theology. InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Downs, Perry G. Teaching For Spiritual Growth. Zondervan, 1994.

Knight, George R. Philosophy and Education. Andrews University Press, 1998.

LeBar, Lois. Education that is Christian. Victor Books, 1989.

Daily reading and responding via five short reflection papers plus one book response in the 4-Mat format, shared with a small group. To make practical the application of classroom principles, each member will respond to Mulholland through journal keeping. Final paper summarizes and demonstrates elements of formation in a particular focus of ministry.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4) and the M.A. in Theology requirement in Spirituality (SPIR).