DSMN 520 Spiritual Formation

The Spiritual Formation course facilitates the junction of the spiritual with the physical in human existence and integrates the theoretical with the practical in academic pursuits. The exploration of spiritual formation provides the scholar with data for study and the minister with directive for service. Both dimensions are critical and facilitate the renewing of the mind and the discipline of the body.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 2 Discussions in this course. Each thread must be 350-400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 3 other classmates’ posts in a manner that encourages further discussion. Each reply must be 200–250 words (CLO: A, B).

Gospel Reflection Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to prepare the student for the course and the readings in the assigned texts, especially the reading of Gospel Fluency. This assignment should not be more than 500 words. For this assignment, the student will answer the question: “Why is the gospel good news to you?” This question is simple and easy, but it is also incredibly profound (CLO: B).

Spiritual Assessment Assignment

The student will complete a 3-section Spiritual Assessment of 1,000–1,250 words. Each section will direct the student toward an assessment of his/her spiritual life in its current form. The student will use the results of this assignment as a basis for the Spiritual Growth Plan Assignment (CLO: B).

Spiritual Growth Plan Assignment

The student will create a Spiritual Growth Plan which will focus on specific and measurable steps the student will take over the coming weeks to implement/practice chosen spiritual disciplines. The disciplines chosen must purposefully address areas the student has identified as a need based on his/her Spiritual Assessment Assignment. This assignment will be completed in 3 sections, must total 1,000-1,250 words, and must follow Turabian formatting (CLO: B, C).

Church Reflection Assignment

In this assignment, the student will reflect on his/her reading of Church Membership as well as his/her own personal church membership in a 800-1000 words (CLO: A, B).

Fluency as a Discipline Assignment

This is a 1300-word applied book review over the book Gospel Fluency. The review is more concerned with how the student will apply the lessons learned in the book than it is with a critical evaluation of the book. The review must include the following 3 headings: Summary, Applied Review, and Fluency Experiences (CLO: C, E).

Quiz: Prayer Exposition and Reading Reflections

This quiz will follow the first 4 modules of reading and include 1 question from each of Whitney’s books. Students should not take this quiz until they have completed their reading from both Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life as well as Praying the Bible that is assigned in these modules. These questions are essay questions that require students to reflect on what they have learned from an aspect of the text. The third question is focused upon the student’s ability to read a biblical passage and pull the theological message of the passage (in this case, prayer) and then find applications of this passage/prayer for his/her own discipline of prayer. 

Before taking the quiz, the student should also make sure he/she has applied the central challenge/thesis of Praying the Bible, by spending at least 30-60 minutes praying Scripture. Recommendations for the student include praying through Psalm 23, 139, Romans 8, or Hebrews 11, but he/she can choose a different passage to pray through should he/she prefer.