Spring 2012/Pasadena
FullerLive!
YF503
Clark

YF503: YOUTH OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM. Chap Clark.


DESCRIPTION: This course explores the biblical mandate to follow the call to "go to all nations," especially as it relates to adolescents. Students will learn how to articulate and pass on to others the biblical and theological view of evangelism and outreach. Through readings, lecture, projects, and discussion, students will learn how to design an incarnational as well as relational ministry program that engages unchurched adolescents and young adults with Christian witness infused with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: In today's ministry to young adults and adolescents evangelistic models abound, but are they theologically advisable? This course will enable the student to develop a biblically sound as well as culturally relevant theology of youth and young adult outreach and evangelism. The student will develop an appreciation for the perspective of the secular person, and be equipped to be a faithful witness to the word become flesh.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) understand how people respond to persuasion; (2) develop a theology of evangelism, specifically targeted at adolescents and young adults; (3) understand how to design and implement relational strategies and programs that enable contextually applied participation in God's kingdom purposes; and (4) train others in a contextualized practical theology of evangelism.

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures, class discussion, and presentations by various guest experts will make up the class time. Each student will complete a final project. Class will meet weekly for three hours.

REQUIRED READING:
*Clark, Chap. Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers. 2nd ed. Baker Academic, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801039416, $17.99.
Dean, Kenda C. Almost Christian: What the Faith of our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0195314847, $24.95.

Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1999 (pp. 1-125, 285-346). ISBN: 978-0802842350, $36.00.

Roxburgh, Alan J., and M. Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional Church: What It Is, Why It Matters, How to Become One. Baker, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801072123, $17.99.

Stetzer, Ed. Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them. B & H Publishing Group, 2009. ISBN: 978-0805448788, $17.99.
(*If read for another class, please substitute with 300 pages from another book on adolescent culture or development.)

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT (learning objective[s] assessed by assignment):
  1. Submit for each required book a 2-3 page response as well as at least 2 pages of quotes (2, 3, 4) - 30% of grade.

  2. There is a content exam on the lectures and readings (1, 2, 3, 4) - 30% of grade.

  3. Complete a final project that reflects the course content (1, 2, 3, 4) - 40% of grade.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv Core requirement in General Ministry/Spirituality (MIN 1) and in Evangelism (MIN 3). Meets the MA and MACL Youth, Family, and Culture program requirement.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (revised February 22, 2012)