SFS 501 LEARNING TO LOVE GOD AND OTHERS

Fall 2004

Western Seminary -- Portland Campus

Randal Roberts, D.Min. Office: BH, 3rd floor

E-Mail: rroberts@westernseminary.edu

Office Phone: (503) 517-1860

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The theological and practical dynamics of evangelical spirituality will be examined to provide a solid foundation for rich fellowship with the Triune God and for living out the Great Commandment. The nature of spiritual maturity will be examined (including a biblically-balanced model of priorities) and practical experiences for nurturing that maturity will be provided. 2 hours.

COURSE GOALS

Recognizing the importance of godliness for both life and ministry, this course is designed to introduce you to the dynamics of spiritual growth and to encourage your thoughtful cooperation with God's transforming grace. Upon completion of this course, therefore, you should be able to:

A. articulate (and live out to a greater extent) a biblical model of maturity which reflects appropriate love to God, others, and self;

B. practice a devotional plan designed to facilitate your ongoing spiritual maturation;

C. cooperate more effectively with God’s Spirit in the process of forming new habits;

D. practice healthy interpersonal relationships, including the ability to listen and speak with respect for the feelings and opinions of others;

E. appreciate the resource of fellowship by participating in a small group designed to promote the spiritual maturing of each of its members.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

READINGS (25 hours)

The following books are to be read in their entirety (all are on reserve in the library):

Bruce Demarest, Satisfy Your Soul

Gary Thomas, Authentic Faith

Paul Tripp, War of Words

Mel Silberman, PeopleSmart

At 45 pages an hour, this reading should take approximately 25 hours. Completion of these readings is to be reported on the form provided by Dec. 17.

The following books are recommended, but not required:

Larry Crabb, Connecting

Timothy Jones, 21 Days to a Better Quiet Time

SMALL GROUP (14 hours)

Identify at least 1-3 other people with whom you will meet weekly for a minimum of one hour to promote mutual spiritual growth. Normally the other member(s) of the group will be fellow students of the same gender, but exceptions to this are possible. A roster of each group (along with time and place of meeting) should be submitted in writing to me by Friday, Sept. 24. Groups should begin meeting by the second week of class and continue through the week of Dec. 17.

Track your attendance for both small group meetings and for regular class sessions on the accompanying form.

Each lecture will contain suggested discussion and application questions to help provide some guidance for these meetings. Time should also be set aside for prayer and the sharing of other concerns or personal goals related to spiritual development.

You will twice submit to me brief evaluations of the effectiveness of these meetings; forms will be provided. Due dates: Nov. 5 and Dec. 17.

You are of course welcome to meet with me anytime during the semester to discuss any matter of your choosing.

DEVOTIONS (time varies)

You are expected to maintain a devotional life in which regular and significant time is set aside for Bible reading, meditation, and prayer. A copy of your devotional plans for this term (i.e., what strategy or methods you will seek to use for your devotions) should be submitted to me by Sept. 24. If you’re looking for some fresh ideas for your devotions, you may want to read first Timothy Jones’ 21 Days to a Better Quiet Time (this text is recommended, but not required, for purchase).

“LOVE IN ACTION” PROJECT (8 + 2 = 10 hours)

Spend at least eight hours during the term demonstrating Christ’s love for others by “good deeds” as a volunteer. This can take a wide variety of forms, and can either be done individually or with a group. After these hours are completed, write a two-page (double-spaced) reflection paper briefly describing what you did, what feelings/attitudes you experienced both during and following these deeds, and what reaction (if any) was generated in the recipient(s). Paper due date: Dec. 17

"FORMING NEW HABITS" PAPERS (2 hours)

PART 1: Write a one-page paper applying a biblical model of re-habituation to a particular habit that you are seeking to build or break to promote greater godliness in your life. Due: Oct. 15

PART 2: In addition to periodically reporting your progress to your small group, at the end of the term submit to the instructor a one-half page evaluation of your progress. Due: Dec. 17

RELATIONAL SKILLS PROJECT (3 hours)

After completing PeopleSmart, fill out the “Personal Action Plan” in the final chapter. This will map out your growth goals for the immediate future. Turn in two copies of this plan, as one copy will be forwarded to your faculty advisor. Due: Dec. 17

INTEGRATIVE PAPER [6 hours]

Based upon class discussion, readings and whatever other resources you wish to consult, write a three-page paper (double-spaced) that addresses the following issues: (1) What does spiritual maturity look like, and how is it best nurtured in believers?; (2) In light of your understanding of spiritual maturity, identify 2-3 areas of your life that would be most important for you to grow spiritually and establish a specific growth goal for each of these areas. Due: Dec. 17

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Course grades will be awarded on a points system

Assignment Points Possible

Class attendance 26

Small group attendance 12

Small group evaluations 4

Reading 28

Habits papers 6

Relational Skills Project 6

“Love in Action” 8 (4 + 4)

Integrative Paper 10

Basic Point Allocation:

A+=100-99, A=98-95, A-=94-93; B+=92-91, B=90-88, B-=87-86; C+=85-84, C=83-81, C-=80-79; D+=78-77, D=76-74, D-=73-70; F=69-0

All assignments are due by 5:00 p.m. Friday of the week indicated. Due date extensions will be granted only on the basis of extenuating circumstances, and must be requested in advance of the pertinent due date. Unexcused late (or poor quality) work will result in an appropriate reduction in points earned for that assignment.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

9/6 NO CLASS (LABOR DAY)

9/13 COURSE INTRODUCTION

CONSTRUCTING A MODEL OF MATURITY

(form small groups)

9/20 CONSTRUCTING A MODEL OF MATURITY (cont.)

(small group roster and devotional plans due)

9/27 OPPOSITION TO SPIRITUALITY

10/4 THE DYNAMICS OF FORMING NEW HABITS

10/11 ADVERSITY AS A SPIRITUAL RESOURCE

STEWARDSHIP OF YOUR BODY

(Habits paper Part 1 due)

10/18 RELATING TO OTHERS: INTRODUCTION

TAMING YOUR TONGUE

10/25 PRACTICING THE “ONE ANOTHERS”

11/1 RELATING TO OTHERS: AS A WITNESS

(Small group eval #1 due)

11/8 RELATING TO OTHERS: AS A FAMILY MEMBER

RELATING TO OTHERS: MAINTAINING SEXUAL PURITY

11/15 RELATING TO OTHERS: AS A WORKER

RELATING TO OTHERS: AS A CITIZEN

11/22 HISTORICAL MODELS OF SPIRITUALITY

11/29 HISTORICAL MODELS OF SPIRITUALITY (cont.)

12/6 PREPARING FOR ETERNITY

DISCUSSION OF COURSE TEXTS

COURSE REVIEW

12/13 NO CLASS (Finals Week)

(12/17: Integrative paper, Habits paper part 2, Small group eval #2, relational skills project, “love in action” paper, and reading/attendance reports due)

SFS 501 ABSENCE & READING REPORT

Name _______________________________ Box Number ________

I completed the following readings on time (give % for each):

____% Demarest ____% Thomas ____% Tripp ____% Silberman

Please place an “x” for each class and small group session attended.

CLASS SMALL GROUP

9/6 NA NA

9/13 ____ NA

9/20 ____ ____

9/27 ____ ____

10/4 ____ ____

10/11 ____ ____

10/18 ____ ____

10/25 ____ ____

11/1 ____ ____

11/8 ____ ____

11/15 ____ ____

11/22 ____ ____

11/29 ____ ____

12/6 ____ ____

12/13 NA NA

Please detach (or xerox) and return this form to Dr. Roberts by Dec. 17.  Thank you!