CHMN 520 Making Disciples for the Next Generation Ministry

This course focuses on the nature and mandate of the Great Commission and with specific application to next generation ministry. It will guide students in developing effective and insightful models for making disciples among children and adolescents in partnership with their families and connected to the larger mission of the local church.

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

The ministry of the local church has experienced a significant shift in recent years. This shift has opened up new opportunities to serve families and young generations that will propel the Gospel mission and fulfill the Great Commission. The church has begun to focus more intentionally on discipling younger generations in the context of their family at home and in the body of Christ through the local church.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

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 provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be a minimum of 400 words, include at least 1 source citation in addition to the course textbook, integrate at least one biblical principle, 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 a minimum of 200 words.

Book Critique Assignment

Students will write a book critique of the listed book. The student will follow the Book Critique Instructions, which include preparing a 750–1000-word book critique for the following text:  Perspectives on Children’s Spiritual Formation by Michael Anthony.

Next Generation Discipleship Model Paper Assignments (2)

Proposal Assignment

The student will submit a cover page, contents (beginning of the contents), an introduction, and a 1000–1500-word direction of the Next Generation Discipleship Paper. The student must also include a bibliography with 8 of the 15 required scholarly sources (course textbooks and the Bible may be included) that will be used in the final paper. The student must use current Turabian formatting and follow the current School of Divinity Writing Guide.

Final Submission Assignment

The student will submit a paper on a topic that focuses on cultivating a next-generation discipleship environment related to the children or student ministry context. The student must demonstrate strong critical reflection on the subject and accurate handling of biblical text. The paper must be a minimum of 5,000 words and not exceed 6,000 words. The student must also cite 15 scholarly sources excluding the Bible (this may include course textbooks). Please review the Next Generation Discipleship Paper Instructions.

Reading Reflection Assignment

Students will write a reflection on the book listed below. Please review the Book Reflection Instructions. The student will prepare a 1,500-word reflection for the following text: Generation Z : Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry by Tim McKnight.

Course Reflection Assignment

The student will write a 500–750-word reflection essay. The essay will answer the question “How has this course shaped your thinking in the area of Next Generation discipleship?” “What would be the one takeaway from the course that you could implement immediately in the context where you serve or will serve?”  The student must provide Biblical support and cite appropriate texts.