DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation - NOBTS (PDF)

DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Church Ministry Division Online Summer 2022 Professor: Hal Stewart, Ph.D. Ministry-Based Professor of Discipleship Director of Spiritual Formation [email protected] Grader: Stephanie Cline [email protected] Mission Statement New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College prepare servants to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission Course Description This course is a pass-fail experience in a faculty-led learning context. Students in the course will meet weekly for accountability, mentoring, discussion, and spiritual formation by participating in and leading weekly meetings. Students will comprehend a variety of Christian devotional practices by completing specific assignments on basic spiritual disciplines. This course is designed to be taken during a student’s first semester. This course is available in a mentoring format. Student Learning Outcomes In order to provide moral leadership by modeling and mentoring Christian character and devotion and in order to stimulate church health through mobilizing the church for discipleship, the student, by the end of the course should: 1. Comprehend the following concepts:  The marks of a disciple as something beyond the point of salvation.  Effective methods of becoming a disciple and of making disciples.  The relationship between spiritual maturity and spiritual disciplines.  Christian devotional practices or disciplines. 2. Have a positive response to the following concepts:  A life-long intentional devotional discipline for lifelong spiritual growth and benefit to the kingdom of God.  A meaningful and maturing relationship with God.  Christian community in a small group setting.  A personal commitment to basic devotional practices.  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 3. Be able to, with the help of resources, accomplish the following tasks:  Develop a plan for personal discipleship and assist others to develop a personal discipleship plan.  Practice appropriate disciplines of the Christian faith. 4. Have an appropriate perception as how to lead small discipleship groups. Course Teaching Methodology The course will involve the following methodologies: reading/reflection on texts in the field through participation in class/group discussions; individual study and practice of spiritual disciplines; and reflection and journaling of individual student spiritual journey. Required Textbook Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Special Anniversary Edition. San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2018. (ISBN: 9780062803887) *NOTE: The expanded edition is required for this course because of the included study guide for meeting with the assigned mentor on a weekly basis. Course Requirements 1. Complete all units and participate in all online discussions. Discussions will be based on the weekly reading outlined in the individual units. Discussion board posts will be graded on your thoughtfulness in engaging the textbooks and related topics. Your responses to your classmates’ posts will be graded on your interaction with their statements or questions. Although length is not the primary emphasis of the posts or responses, you should write a sufficient amount to demonstrate adequate thoughtfulness. Post the first discussion thread on the week you are assigned as the Discussion Group Leader and respond to at least one other classmate’s post that week. The other units you should read the assigned chapter and respond to a minimum of two posts by fellow classmates in your assigned group. 2. In Week 1, each student is to post a personal introduction via the Discussion Thread connected to Week 1. Each student is also to comment on two classmates’ introductory thread. 3. Read the assigned textbook and additional class material while also facilitating a class discussion of an assigned chapter. Each student will be assigned a unit(s) in which he or she will lead and facilitate the discussion via the discussion board for that specific unit. 4. Keep an electronic journal of your spiritual journey throughout the course and complete the assignments given by the professor for the spiritual journal. The journal is to include your thoughts/reflections about your spiritual journey. The student is to journal via the  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation Blackboard Journal 3-5 times weekly with a paragraph (3-5 sentences) minimum each entry. The journal will not be read by the professor or other students but only briefly checked for completion. The completed journal is due the final week of class, Week 8. 5. Memorize and recite assigned Bible verses according to the specifications in the units. The student is to video himself or herself reciting from memory the assigned Bible verse. The student is then to upload the video to YouTube and follow the instructions to post the link of the video in the appropriate unit on Blackboard. The verses and units in which they are due are outlined below. 6. The student must select an accountability partner who can challenge the student spiritually. The student will meet with the accountability partner for a minimum of thirty minutes per week beginning in Week 2. The student will submit a signed statement in Week 2 identifying the accountability partner. 7. Write a three-page reflection paper at the end of the semester. The assignment is due in Week 8. A rubric for the assignment can be found at the end of the syllabus. Evaluation of Grade The course is offered on a pass/fail basis as follows: Board Participation 20 % weekly Discussion Board Unit Leadership 15% assigned on June 6 Journal 20% weekly Scripture Memorization Videos 15% weekly Accountability Statement 15 % Due: June 6 Reflection Paper 15 % Due: July 27 Technical Assistance For assistance regarding technology, consult ITC (504-816-8180) or the following websites: 1. [email protected] - Email for technical questions/support requests with the Selfserve.nobts.edu site (Access to online registration, financial account, online transcript, etc.) 2. [email protected] - Email for technical questions/support requests with the NOBTS Blackboard Learning Management System NOBTS.Blackboard.com. 3. [email protected] - Email for general technical questions/support requests. 4. www.NOBTS.edu/itc/ - General NOBTS technical help information is provided on this website. Help for Writing Papers at “The Write Stuff” NOBTS maintains a Writing Center designed to improve English writing at the graduate level. Students can receive writing guides, tips, and valuable information to help in becoming a better writer.  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation Plagiarism on Written Assignments NOBTS has a no tolerance policy for plagiarism. Plagiarism in certain cases may result in expulsion from the seminary. See the NOBTS Student Handbook for definition, penalties, and policies associated with plagiarism. Course Schedule Week 1 (May 30- June 5) Unit 1 – Reading, Syllabus Review Personal Profile Post Scripture Memorization Week 2 (June 6-12) Units 2-3 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch.1-2 Scripture Memorization Accountability Partner Statement Due Week 3 (June 13- 19) Units 4-5 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch. 3-4 Scripture Memorization Week 4 (June 20- 26) Units 6-7 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch. 5-6 Scripture Memorization Week 5 (June 27- July 3) Units 8-9 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch. 7-8 Scripture Memorization Week 6 (July 4-10) Units 10-11 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch. 9-10 Scripture Memorization Week 7 (July 11-17) Units 12-13 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch.11-12 Scripture Memorization Week 8 (July 18-29) Unit 14 - Reading, Discussion Board on Ch. 13 Scripture Memorization Journal Due Reflection Paper Due Memory Verses Gal. 2:20 Week 1 Phil. 3:10 Week 2 Rom. 12:1-2 Week 3 Jos. 1:8 Week 4 Phil. 4:6-7 Week 5 Heb. 10:24-25 Week 6 Mt. 28:18-20 Week 7 Col. 3:17 Week 8 RUBRIC FOR GRADING A SUMMATIVE PROJECT – REFLECTION PAPER  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation IN THE COURSE DISC5170: SPIRITUAL FORMATION Assignment Description: Write a three-page reflection paper at the end of the semester. The reflection paper is a first-person synopsis of a personal spiritual formation and discipleship plan relating to the importance of spiritual maturity and spiritual disciplines. The student should write about their perception of meeting in small groups for Christian community and the role of spiritual disciplines/devotional practices such as journaling, scripture memorization, and prayer. Scale: 0-1 = Inadequate _____ 1-2 = Basic _____ 2-3 = Competent _____ 3-4 = Good _____ 4-5 = Excellent ______ Instructor: Semester_______________________________ Teaching Venue_______________________________________ Element SLOs Inadequate (1 PT) BASIC (2PTS) COMPETENT (3 PTS) GOOD (4 PTS) EXCELLENT (5 PTS) POINTS UNDERSTANDING Understand the basic marks of personal spiritual disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Shows an inadequate understanding of personal disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Shows a minimal understanding of personal disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Shows an adequate understanding of personal disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Student lists and explains one or two spiritual disciplines. Shows a good understanding of personal disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Student lists and explains three spiritual disciplines. Shows an exemplary understanding of personal disciplines, spiritual growth and discipleship. Student lists and explains four spiritual disciplines. APPLICATION Develop a positive response to lifelong spiritual growth through the practice of spiritual disciplines. Makes poor application to respond to lifelong spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines Makes minimal application to respond to lifelong spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines Makes one practical applications to respond to lifelong spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines. Makes two applications to respond to lifelong spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines. Makes three practical application to respond to lifelong spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines. COMMUNICATION Express in writing a personal discipleship plan and lead others in spiritual disciplines within a small group setting. Used none or an incoherent expression that fails to communicate a plan to help others grow spiritually. Use of an inconsistent expression that fails to communicate a plan to help others grow spiritually. Limited expressions that communicate a competent plan to help others grow spiritually by valuing relationships. Used more than one expression that communicate a good plan to help others grow spiritually by valuing relationships. Used two or more expressions that communicate an exemplary plan to help others grow spiritually by valuing relationships. Aver. Score  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation Selected Bibliography Arn, Win, and Charles Arn. The Master’s Plan for Making Disciples, 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. Barna, George. Growing True Disciples. Colorado Spring: Waterbrook Press, 2001. Blackaby, Henry T. and Claude V. King. Experiencing God: How to Live the Full Adventure of Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Nashville: B & H, 1994. ________. Hearing God’s Voice. Nashville: B & H, 2002. Bonhoeffer, Deitrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Translated by R. H. Fuller. New York: Macmillan, 1963. Bridges, Jerry. The Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1978. ________. The Practice of Godliness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1983. Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Revell, 1993. ________. The Master Plan of Discipleship. Grand Rapids: Revell, 1987. Cymbala, Jim. Break Through Prayer. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. ________. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997. DeMoss, Nancy Leigh. Brokenness: The Heart God Revives. Chicago: Moody, 2005. ________. Holiness: The Heart God Purifies. Chicago: Moody, 2005. ________. Surrender: The Heart God Controls. Chicago: Moody, 2005. Eims, Leroy. The Lost Art of Disciple Making. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978. Elliff, Tom. A Passion for Prayer: Experiencing Deeper Intimacy with God. Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications, 2010. Floyd, Ronnie. The Power of Prayer and Fasting. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997. Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998. ________. Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World. New York: HarperCollins, 2005.  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation Foster, Richard J. and James Bryan Smith. Devotional classics. Revised and expanded ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. Foster, Richard J. and Gayle D. Beebe. Longing for God. Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2009. Foster, Richard J. and Emilie Griffin. Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. Frizzell, Gregory R. How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life: The Biblical Path to Holiness and Relationship with God. Memphis: The Master Design, 1999. Hall, R. Clyde. Handbook for Youth Discipleship. Broadman, 1988. Hughes, R. Kent. Disciplines of a Godly Man. Wheaton: Crossway, 2001. Hull, Bill. Jesus Christ Disciplemaker. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1984. ________. The Disciple-Making Church. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1990. ________. The Disciple-Making Pastor. Revell, 1988. Idleman, Kyle. Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. MacArthur, John. The Keys to Spiritual Growth: Unlocking the Riches of God. Wheaton: Crossway, 1991. Muller, George. The Autobiography of George Muller. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1984. Murray, Andrew. Absolute Surrender. Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1982. ________. With Christ in the School of Prayer. Ortberg, John. If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. Packer, James I. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1973. Petersen, Jim. Lifestyle Discipleship: The Challenge of Following Jesus in Today’s World. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1993. Piper, John and Wayne Grudem. Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1991.  DISC5170 Introduction to Spiritual Formation Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. Platt, David. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Colorado Spring: Multnomah, 2010. Stanley, Charles F. Handle with Prayer: How to Turn the World Around While on Your Knees. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1987. Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1991. Wilkins, Michael J. In His Image: Reflecting Christ in Everyday Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997. Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988. Wright, N. T. Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995