DESCRIPTION: How is the church to take seriously its task of "equipping the
saints for the work of ministry" (Eph. 4:11-12)? How can adults be adequately
established, rooted, built up, and equipped for the varying ministries to which
God is calling them? A strong, well-developed adult ministry in the local
church can be a major tool for building healthy, effective Christians and
spiritually vital congregations. This course is designed to "equip the
equippers" to produce such through a study of philosophy, practice, and skills
in adult education. Subject areas include biblical and theological foundations
for adult education; adult characteristics, needs, life cycles, and learning
patterns; societal and cultural impact on learning; learning theories; gender
strengths; developing or adapting curriculum; planning and implementing an
adult spirituality and discipleship ministry in the church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitively: The learner will become
conscious of the role of adults in God's plan, the impact of adult development,
and principles for how adults learn, with implementation guidelines.
Affectively: The learner will develop appreciation for adults' participation in
their growth and will become enthused about cultivating such. Behaviorally:
Learners will participate in discovering their own images of adulthood and will
actively construct new paradigms incorporating learning experiences from class.
Existentially: The learner will become a person who recognizes his/her
responsibility as an adult in God's kingdom and will cultivate continued
integration and implementation of concepts taught in class in the scope of
his/her ministry.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course helps those who minister to adults
understand how adults learn, teaches skills to enable adults to move on in
spiritual maturity, and equips with philosophy and means for planning and
carrying out the ministry to and by adults in the church.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions. Methods
of instruction will include lecture, interaction, small groups, video viewing,
surveying, gaming, and skills work in class.
REQUIRED READING: