DESCRIPTION: What is "Christian Formation and Discipling" and why is it
essential? How do we foster spiritual growth? What principles and processes
undergird the church's ministry of bringing believers to maturity in Christ
through continuous growth in Christ? What do we need to become in discipling
others? What is involved in calling others to discipleship? It is not enough
just to know the truth; this course deals with the "how" and "why" of living
and communicating God's truth to others with the purpose of growth and
transformation. Our focus is on life; our goal is transformation; the total
community of believers is involved; modeling and interpersonal relationships
are critical; equipping the laity is essential. Transformed, we become
missional people.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of this course students will become persons who
are open to growing up in Christ and who focus on working with the Spirit
toward transforming and challenging discipleship in their own lives and the
lives of others. This means students will understand the biblical foundation
for all believers to grow up in Christ, will learn theories that inform
conceptually and teaching skills that enable change, and will recognize their
teaching role in working with the Spirit to set up opportunity for such.
Students will also be motivated to move beyond just acquiring facts to living
out and teaching response to the reality of those facts in life. In this class
students will put into practice biblical truth that affects their own
discipleship and, with their small group community, will demonstrate what they
have learned by designing and teaching their peers, becoming transformational
agents who teach and call for response to the truth of God's Word.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course presents the basis for a philosophy of
ministry with practical implications for implementation of a ministry of
Christian formation through teaching.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions,
including one hour actively involved in a permanent in-class small group. Class
sessions will include demonstrations, experiential learning, learner dialogs,
media presentations, interaction with Scripture, and small group
involvement.
REQUIRED READING: