WMU 3201 (LUOA), WRSP 201 (LUO): Old and New Testament Principles of Worship

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 03/11/2025

Course Description

Rationale

To develop a comprehensive perspective of worship, it is vital to first understand what the Bible says on the subject. This course is designed to provide the student with an overview, general understanding, and acquaintance with the: 1) biblical principles of Old Testament worship; 2) biblical principles of New Testament worship; 3) principles of worship from the Trinity; 4) principles of worship in Revelation; and 5) principles of worship as they relate to the early and contemporary church.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 350 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words. At least one scholarly reference must be included in each original thread. All external sources must be cited per current Turabian format.

Essay Assignments (2)

Each student will write two essays based on the topics of Idolatry and Jesus and Worship. These assignments will help the student think through key points of theology of Christian worship. For each assignment, the candidate will write a 3-5 page essay in current Turabian style that includes a title page and a bibliography, as well as at least 3 scholarly sources other than the Bible. The papers must also demonstrate significant scholarly engagement with course readings/lecture material.

The student will submit the core essentials that will guide the writing of the Capstone Paper. In preparation for this assignment, the student will review the assignment instructions for the Capstone Paper Assignment to ensure he/she is primed with the prompt and assignment expectations for the paper. The core essentials the student will cover in the paper planning document will include a thesis statement, a 1-page outline of the paper, three quotes that will be featured, and a first draft of 6-8 potential sources anticipated to be used in the paper compiled in a current Turabian formatted bibliography. The paper planning must demonstrate a strong understanding of worship practices described in the Old and New Testaments, God’s role in Christian worship, and how the Bible shapes worship practices today. The paper planning must also demonstrate significant scholarly engagement with course readings/lecture material and be formatted according to current Turabian formatting.

After reading all five parts of the Wiersbe text, Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground?, the student will submit a written summary that engages with main ideas of the book. The student will write the paper in 6 pages, which includes a one-page summary for each of the 5 parts of the book and one additional page applying the content to his/her own understanding of biblical worship. The summary will be in written in current Turabian style. 

Capstone Paper Assignment

The student will write a 6-8 page paper presenting his/her own theology and practices of worship. The paper must highlight three Old Testament and three New Testament worship practices and discuss the application of those practices in the 21^st century church.  The student must also present his/her own theological beliefs of private and corporate worship as seen through a biblical worldview. The paper must be in current Turabian format, including a proper title page, contents page, and bibliography page, as well as footnotes in current Turabian format. The student must include 6 to 8 scholarly sources (multiple of which must come from course texts, lectures, and/or resources) in addition to the Bible. The student must also effectively integrate the clear and well-defined thesis statement and 3 quotes you provided within the Capstone Paper Planning Assignment earlier in the course within the content of the paper.

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module: week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5-multiple choice questions, is limited to 40 minutes, and allows for one attempt.

Quiz: Mid-Term Exam

The mid-term example will cover Learn material from the assigned modules: weeks. The exam will be open-book/open notes, contain 20 multiple-choice questions, is limited to 1-hour, and allow for 1-attempt.

Quiz: Final Exam

The final exam will cover the Learn material from the assigned modules: weeks. The exam will be open-book/open-note, contain 10 multiple choice questions, have a 2-hour time limit, and allow for one attempt.