DESCRIPTION: This course helps seminarians to deepen their intimacy with God and to disciple students and young adults in the spiritual life. It addresses how students and young adults are formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others as they approach and pass through the critical college years. Theological, historical, developmental, generational, and cultural perspectives are considered. This is a course in practical theology in which a method will be taught that connects biblical/theological resources, socio-cultural studies, and practices of church and personal discernment, in service of missio Dei and the praxis of Christian faith.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE & MINISTRY: Proven approaches to spiritual formation for the sake of others will be reflected upon in light of the seminarian's life and current or future ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students will: (1) Cognitive: Learn a practical theology method that connects their experience with a biblical philosophy of discipleship rooted in spiritual formation, a historical overview of spiritual disciplines and spiritual awakenings especially among students and young adults, and a generational, developmental, and cultural approach to issues related to the spiritual formation of college students and young adults. (2) Affective: Desire to be spiritual guides for and serve their families, the postmodern generations, and those who have suffered abuse, oppression or who are caught in addictions. (3) Behavioral: Gain competency in a comprehensive approach to practical theology and the practice of graced rhythms of spiritual discipline in both daily and extended times of fellowship with Jesus Christ. (4) Existential: Be non-compulsive servant leaders whose service to others increasingly derives from love for God, for others, and for themselves.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet nine times on Thursdays for three hours and will also participate as a class in two Friday prayer retreats on October 7, 9:00am - 3:00pm and October 28, 9:00am - 4:00pm for extended personal communion with God. The first retreat will occur at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre and the second at a venue to be announced. Class will not meet on Thursday, October 8, but will meet on Thursday, October 27. A $25 fee, charged when registering, covers the retreat cost at Mater Dolorasa (boxed lunches are extra). Instruction methods include lecture, media, discussion, experiential learning, and small groups.

REQUIRED READING:

Lovelace, Richard. Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal. IVP, 1979. ISBN: 978-0877846260. List price $30.

Jensen, Paul. Subversive Spirituality: Transforming Mission through the Collapse of Space and Time. Pickwick Publishers, 2009. ISBN: 978-1606081549. List price: $43.

Nouwen, Henri. The Way of the Heart. Ballantine, 1975. ISBN: 978-0345463357. List price: $13.

Parks, Sharon. Big Questions, Worthy Dreams. Jossey-Bass, 2000. ISBN: 0787941719. $22.50.

Smith, Christian, with Patricia Snell. Souls in Transition. Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780195371796. Pub. price: $24.95.

Syllabus, notes, and course reader, which includes Dallas Willard's chapter on spiritual disciplines from the Spirit of the Disciplines (1988), articles on spiritual formation in college and young adult settings, links to Internet resources on college ministry, and a chapter on practical theology in Churches, Cultures and Leadership by Mark Lau Branson and Juan F. Martinez.

Each small group chooses one (at first class session):

Beaudoin, T. Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X. Jossey-Bass, 2000. ISBN: 9780787955274. Pbk: $17.95.

Belcher, Jim. Deep Church: A Third Way Between Emerging and Traditional. IVP, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-8308-3716-8. List price: $17; eBook: $13.

Carroll, Colleen. The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy. Loyola Press, 2002. ISBN: 0829416455. List price: $19.95.

*Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. HarperSanFrancisco, 1992. ISBN: 978-0060608538. List price not available. *(1 person per group reads this.)

Each individual student chooses one:

Clinton, J. R. The Making of a Leader. NavPress, 1988. ISBN: 978-0891091929. List price: $16.

Miller, Keith. Hunger for Healing. HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. ISBN: 0060657677 (pbk). List price: $15.

Ritzau, Kristin. A Beautiful Mess. Conversant Media Group, 2010. ISBN: 978-0981951546. $15.99.

• Reading (28%): seven reading logs using the practical theology reflection method introduced in the course.

• Inner spiritual disciplines (32%): a one-page reflection paper on each of the three periods of extended personal communion with God and four weeks of daily journaling-four days/week.

• Outward spiritual disciplines (16%): participation in a small group of class members involving six one-hour sessions outside of class, visit a ministry of compassion and do a ministry exercise based on listening prayer and reflection using the practical theological method introduced in this course.

• Final project (24%): a 4,000-word (seventeen page) essay on an issue addressed in the course or a two-day spiritual retreat with a 2,500-word paper (ten pages).