Content

The unit provides an introduction to the concept of spiritual formation in the evangelical church. It draws on Bebbington’s characterisation of evangelicalism as marked by conversion, activism, Biblicism and crucicentrism and reinterprets these in the light of current understandings of spiritual formation. It invites students to reflect on their own personal history of formation and to experience selected classical spiritual practices as a way of engaging in both personal and vocational formation. It explores Biblical foundations for spiritual maturity, as well as aspects psychosocial and emotional health in Christian leaders.

Unit code: DS8793B

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate and interpret their spiritual and developmental journey as a personal history of spiritual formation.

2.

Analyse Bebbington’s characterisation of evangelicalism and how this interacts with spiritual formation in this tradition

3.

Explore and evaluate personal experiences of engagement with classic spiritual disciplines

4.

Articulate, at a foundational level, psychosocial and emotional markers necessary for healthy Christian leadership.

5.

Construct a model of spiritual formation for your ongoing personal and vocational development.

6.

Demonstrate a capacity to research a specific topic is a rigorous and sustained manner.

Pedagogy

The unit engages students in learning through lectures, readings, videos, forums, class discussions and personal reflection.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Barton, Ruth Haley. Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
  • Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
  • Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2008.
  • Gruen, Anselm. Building Self-Esteem: The Christian Dimension. New York: Crossroad, 2000.
  • Mulholland, M. Robert Jr. Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
  • Palmer, Parker J. A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
  • Peterson, Eugene H. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
  • Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006.
  • Willard, Dallas. The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship. Oxford: Monarch Books, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Seminar or Tutorial

1,500 word seminar paper

1500 20.0
Essay

1,500 word integration Essay

1500 40.0
Project Report or Project Journal

2,000 word research project

2000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Jan, 2012

Unit record last updated: 2019-10-03 11:34:40 +1000