I. Prologue
- In pairs for the sake of time, answer the following questions:
- Briefly, what are you grateful for?
- Briefly, what are you struggling with?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:6–14 together.
- Try to summarize its main point.
- What does it teach us about God, God's qualities, and God's purpose?
- What does it teach us about people, including ourselves?
- What concrete action will you take this week to obey (observe, apply, practice) what you have learned?
- With whom specifically will you share what you've learned? ... Or, whom will you bless and how?
- Prayer
II. Method
- Do you resonate with this "Making Disciples" video? Do others you know?
- Our (revised) course structure accommodates five needed 'discipleshifts':
- from reaching/convincing to forming skilled followers,
- from merely informing to equipping,
- from program to purpose,
- from activity to relationship, and
- from accumulating to deploying.
- All of these characterize Paul's coaching of Timothy, which he wants Timothy to pass on (2 Tim 2:2). This is the essence of theology as practiced in the New Testament church.
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Vision
III. Structure
- Bookmark the syllabus cover page, schedule, and tasks.
- The course is a trail, but also a route:
- Some days have more reading and discussion of it; other days have less, with in-class time focused differently. Our first class times are video and audio heavy. Look and plan ahead!
- Work through books and practicing skills with each other (Eccl 4:9–12), often in 'squads,' in and out of class. Be active, not passive!
- Share what you learn with others, showing them how to share. Be a giver, not a hoarder!
- Guide others as fellow 'duckling disciples' who multiply. Be bold, not timid!
- Written assignments link your GE and major coursework, serving the RS student learning outcomes (SLOs) of
hermeneutical competence,
theological judgment, and
ecclesial engagement.
- Grading reflects (I hope) your overall performance and strengths in accomplishing the course tasks, rather than your ability to "hack bad tests." Put grades in their rightful place in 'the collegiate value paradox.'
- Our schedule plots out the course's topics and assignments.
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Personalize and relationalize it!
- All of this aims to guide, encourage, and launch you along 'the Way,' or at least show it to you, so you can do the same for others who will do so in turn.
