DESCRIPTION: This course helps seminarians deepen their own intimacy with God
and disciple students/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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course: (1)
Cognitive: Students will understand a biblical philosophy of
discipleship rooted in spiritual formation; know a historical overview of
spiritual disciplines and spiritual awakenings especially among students and
young adults; understand a model of leadership development based upon spiritual
formation; and know generational, developmental, and cultural issues to be
addressed in the spiritual formation of college students and young adults. (2)
Affective: Students will desire to serve and be spiritual guides for the
members of their families, the postmodern generations, and those who have
suffered abuse, oppression, or who are caught in addictions. (3)
Behavioral: Students will practice spiritual disciplines in both daily
and extended times of fellowship with the Lord. (4) Existential:
Students will be noncompulsive servant leaders whose service to others
increasingly derives from love for the Lord, for others, and for themselves.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Proven approaches to spiritual formation for the sake
of others will be applied to the seminarian's life and current or future
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet eight times on Thursdays for three hours
and will also participate in two one-day prayer retreats (April 7,
9:00am-3:00pm, and May 5, 9:00am-4:00pm) for two times of extended personal
communion with God. (Class will not meet on Thursday, April 6 and May 4.) The
retreats will involve no additional charge to students. Instruction methods
include lecture, video, discussion, experiential learning, and small groups.
REQUIRED READING: