Environmental Discipleship Models – DSMN 830

Course Description

This class is designed to examine the biblical foundations for small group discipleship, how to develop small groups, how to grow small groups, how to develop small group leaders and how to transition to a small group (environmental) discipleship model. The focus of the class will be on how to accomplish the Great Commission in a relational context.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

This course will examine the biblical foundation for small group ministries and the practical outworking of developing effective small group models and methods. This course fits in the Discipleship cognate of the Doctor of Ministry as it will equip and empower to students to develop healthy small groups for the Great Commission. Small groups are essential to the growth and development of followers of Jesus Christ.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

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 is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400 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 125 words. (CLOs: A, B, C)

Written Assignments (4)

The student will write four 1200-1500-word written assignments in current Turabian format that focuses on the question(s) posed during the course. Each paper must include at least 3 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, B, C, D)

The student will create a 16-page (300 words per page) training manual for a local church or a ministry context that will enable the church/ ministry to recruit, train, develop, grow, transition, and multiply disciples in a small group environment. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

1. Foundational Consideration

The student will submit the first 8 pages of the project, which should include 4 sections that:

1. Explain the Vision/ Dream for Developing Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups
2. Quantify the Biblical/ Theological Basis for Small Groups
3. Comprehend the Historical Development of Small Groups
4. Propose the specific types of small groups that will be developed

2. Final Consideration

The student will submit all 16 pages (300 words per page) of the project to include the previously submitted sections as well as the following:

1. Explain the Leadership Development structure and the coaching structure
2. Identify the structure and strategy for growing
3. Propose the Multiplying structures and strategies for small groups
4. Identify the Transitioning process for churches or ministries considering small groups.