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.
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: