PC064-712 Christian Spirituality

Credit Points

12 Credit Points (CPS)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of Christian spirituality and spiritual disciplines.

B. Be able to

1. Practice the skills of Christian spirituality and spiritual disciplines.
2. Integrate theological study, college activities and ministry experience as elements a Christian spiritual journey.
3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on Christian spirituality and spiritual disciplines.

C. Be in a position to

Apply perspectives and skills from “Christian Spirituality” to ministry contexts and Christian living as a reflective practitioner.

Content

Section A: Spirituality for Christian Life and Ministry

  1. Defining spirituality and spiritual formation: their nature, function and goals, and the factors that give rise to the variety of patterns of spirituality.
  2. Biblical patterns of spirituality: Old Testament and New Testament models, elements such as encounter with God, renewal of the mind, vocation, accountability and community, recreation, work, spiritual warfare, justice and mercy.
  3. Biblical patterns and their implications for contemporary spirituality with reference to expressions in contemporary Christian traditions: Contemplative, Evangelical, Charismatic-Pentecostal, Holiness, Puritan/Reformed, social-ecological justice.
  4. Theological study of biblical patterns: imitation of Christ, beatific vision, “in Christ”, “the communion of saints”, godliness, “indwelling of the spirit”, pilgrimage, etc.
  5. Growing in a context of spiritual opposition and divine help.  A study (biblical, theological and contemporary) of the influence of spirit beings (the Holy Spirit, angelic, and demonic) on personal spiritual growth.

Section B: Historical Spirituality

  1. A brief exposure to at least two historical expressions of Christian Spirituality with special focus on the contextual factors involved in their formation and the implications for today.

Section C: Spiritual Disciplines for Spiritual Formation

  1. The functions and misuse of the spiritual disciplines in spiritual formation.
  2. Disciplines of the inner life, including prayer, silence, solitude, self-examination, confession, Bible study, meditation, contemplation, fasting, and journalling.  Special attention should be given to the devotional use of Scripture in the context of biblical scholarship (Lectio Divina).
  3. Lifestyle disciplines, including simplicity, giving, hospitality, chastity, Sabbath observance, and service.
  4. Corporate disciplines, including worship, guidance and discernment, submission and authority, fellowship and community, confession and spiritual direction.
  1. Defining spirituality and spiritual formation: their nature, function and goals, and the factors that give rise to the variety of patterns of spirituality.
  2. Biblical patterns of spirituality: Old Testament and New Testament models, elements such as encounter with God, renewal of the mind, vocation, accountability and community, recreation, work, spiritual warfare, justice and mercy.
  3. Biblical patterns and their implications for contemporary spirituality with reference to expressions in contemporary Christian traditions: Contemplative, Evangelical, Charismatic-Pentecostal, Holiness, Puritan/Reformed, social-ecological justice.
  4. Theological study of biblical patterns: imitation of Christ, beatific vision, “in Christ”, “the communion of saints”, godliness, “indwelling of the spirit”, pilgrimage, etc.
  5. Growing in a context of spiritual opposition and divine help.  A study (biblical, theological and contemporary) of the influence of spirit beings (the Holy Spirit, angelic, and demonic) on personal spiritual growth.

Section B: Historical Spirituality

  1. A brief exposure to at least two historical expressions of Christian Spirituality with special focus on the contextual factors involved in their formation and the implications for today.

Section C: Spiritual Disciplines for Spiritual Formation

  1. The functions and misuse of the spiritual disciplines in spiritual formation.
  2. Disciplines of the inner life, including prayer, silence, solitude, self-examination, confession, Bible study, meditation, contemplation, fasting, and journalling.  Special attention should be given to the devotional use of Scripture in the context of biblical scholarship (Lectio Divina).
  3. Lifestyle disciplines, including simplicity, giving, hospitality, chastity, Sabbath observance, and service.
  4. Corporate disciplines, including worship, guidance and discernment, submission and authority, fellowship and community, confession and spiritual direction.