Syllabus 15800 Calvary Road Kansas City, MO 64147-1341 Course: TH111-C&CN Evangelism/Spiritual Life (Blended) Credit: 3 Semester Hours Semester: Fall 2018 Cycle 2 (8/27-10/19) Time: Modular (10/4-6) Instructor: Joshua Paxton, Joshua.paxton@calvary.edu, (816)322-5152 ext. 1353 (816)679-9387(cell) Office: E. Ed. 230 I. DESCRIPTION An introduction to the biblical principles of evangelism and spiritual life from a New Testament framework. Emphasis is on the practical methods of witnessing, discipleship, spiritual growth which includes our position in Christ by the Holy Spirit, and grace. * This is a blended class, meaning that both campus and online students take this class together. Campus students attend the classes in person, online students attend the classes via the online classroom. All interaction and assignments for campus and online students are done in the online classroom. II. OBJECTIVES A. General competencies to be achieved: 1. Describe what it means to be a Christian and the nature of the Christian s spiritual life. (BOT #1, 5, 8; BI/TH #1 & 9) 2. Define spiritual maturity, spiritual warfare, and spiritual growth. (BOT #1, 2, 4, 5; BI/TH #1) 3. Identify the God-ordained relationships for a Christian and how to develop and maintain maturity in all of those relationships. (BOT #4, 7; BI/TH #2) 4. Articulate the Gospel message and confidently share it with others through actions and words. (BOT #2, 3, 8; BI/TH #3) B. Specific competencies to be achieved: 1. Articulate a biblical understanding of the Christian spiritual life and how it is developed and maintained. 2. Define and practice selected spiritual disciplines. 3. Write a personal testimony and Gospel presentations and share them with others. 4. Describe spiritual warfare and God s means for victory in it. 5. Evaluate one s spiritual life and articulate a personal spiritual growth plan. Our Mission: To Live According to a Biblical Worldview and Serve
III. REQUIREMENTS A. Reading 1. Gifted: Understanding the Holy Spirit and Unwrapping Spiritual Gifts a. The student will read the above book, written by Dr. Christopher Cone. Their reading is to be indicated in a 5 page review of the key themes of the book. This is not a summary of the text but rather a review and discussion of the author s main argument. Note points of agreement or disagreement. (See Canvas for due dates and submission.) 2. 200 pages on Spiritual Life/Growth a. The student is to read at least 200 pages from the resource of their choice on the topic of spiritual life/growth. Recommendations are given at the end of the syllabus. The student is to write a 5 page interaction with what they read, indicating the reading (Title/Author) and their reaction to it. 3. 200 pages on Evangelism a. The student is to read at least 200 pages from the resource of their choice on the topic of evangelism/discipleship. Recommendations are given at the end of the syllabus. The student is to write a 5 page interaction with what they read, indicating the reading (Title/Author) and their reaction to it. B. Writing - The Professor to reserves the right to make changes to any assignment with at least two weeks notice prior to the due date of the assignment. 1. Testimony a. The student is to write two versions of their testimony. Instructions will be given during the first day of the course modular and they are due by the last day of the modular class meeting time. The first version is to be between 3-5 pages and is a personal version of their testimony as they might tell a believing friend. The second version is to be less than 2 pages and is to be a version for use in evangelistic situations. Further instructions will be given in a video posted to Canvas prior to the modular. 2. Memory Verses a. The student will be quizzed over the following memory verses. A brief paper exam in which the student is asked to write down the verse will be given at the end of each modular period. Online students will turn them in by text box in Canvas. Bibles are not allowed, the verses are to be memorized, on-line students would do well to remember that their integrity is more important than a grade. 3. Study Questions a. In Canvas the student will find two sets of study questions to be answered prior to the October 4 th course meeting. Page 2
4. Following the Modular: Final Paper on Spiritual Disciplines a. Following the modular portion of the class, the student will write a ten page research paper on spiritual disciples and living the Christian Life. The student should note important disciplines for the Christian life, the origin of those disciplines, a biblical perspective and practical outworking of them in daily life. b. The student will be given an extra week to submit this paper beyond the official end date of the course. 5. Following the Modular: Final Paper on Evangelism a. Following the modular portion of the class, the student will write a ten page research paper on evangelism. The place of evangelism in the Christian life, its role in spreading the glory of God, importance and practice should be noted. Also to be included should be a discussion of follow up after conversion and trust in Christ. What should the new Christian do next? b. The student will be given an extra week to submit this paper beyond the official end date of the course. IV. METHODS A. In-class methods: listening to lectures, participating in class discussions, writing, and taking tests. B. Out-of-class methods: reading, writing, research, and studying for tests. 1. Grading: Points 1. Book/Reading Reviews(x3)..300 2. Personal Testimony 100 3. Evangelistic Testimony.100 4. Study Questions(x2) 40 5. Memory Verses(x3).. 60 6. Spiritual Disciplines Final Paper..200 7. Evangelism Final Paper.200 Total 1000 2. See Grading Scale in the college catalog C. The Bible is a required textbook in every course at Calvary University. To facilitate academic level study, students are required to use for assignments and research an English translation or version of the Bible based on formal equivalence (meaning that the translation is generally word-for-word from the original languages), including any of the following: New American Standard (NASB, English Standard Version (ESV), New King James (NKJV), or King James (KJV). Other translations and versions based on dynamic equivalence (paraphrases, and thought-for-thought translations like NLT and NIV) may be used as supplemental sources. Please ask the professor if you have questions about a particular translation or version. Page 3
D. All class papers must follow the Turabian style according to A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edition and the Calvary Style Guide, 2015 update. E. Late Assignments: Assignments will be lowered 15% if not turned on in on the due date. F. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as copying any part of a book or paper without identifying the author. This also includes taking another person s ideas and presenting them as your own. Any assignment that includes plagiarism will receive a zero (0) grade. G. Disabilities: Students with disabilities have the responsibility of informing the DSS Director (dss@calvary.edu) of any disabling condition that may require support. H. The Clark Academic Center (learning@calvary.edu), located in the library building, is dedicated to providing free academic assistance for all CBC and CTS students. Student tutors aid with all facets of the writing process, tutor in various subject areas, prepare students for exams and facilitate tests. Please take advantage of this service. I. Class Attendance: -See the attendance policy in the College Catalog V. REQUIRED MATERIALS The Bible (Instructor will use NASB) Christopher Cone, 2015. Gifted: Understanding the Holy Spirit and Unwrapping Spiritual Gifts. Ft. Worth: Exegetica Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-0976593089 (Amazon $11.00, Kindle $9.00) VI. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE Course Schedule will be released prior to class start Page 4
Potential Resources for the Spiritual Life Reading/Review Paper Henry Blackaby and Claude King. 1994. Experiencing God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. John Piper. 2003. Desiring God. Oregon: Multnomah Publishers. Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey, 1999. How Now Shall We Live? Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers A. W. Tozer, 1993. The Pursuit of God. Camp Hill: Christian Publications J. I. Packer, 1973. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press J. I. Packer, 1999. Rediscovering Holiness. Ann Arobor: Servant Publications. John Ortberg, 2002. The Life You ve Always Wanted. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Richard Straus, 1991. Growing More Like Jesus. N.P. Loizeuax. Potential Resources for the Evangelism Reading/Review Paper Greg Ogden, 2003. Transforming Discipleship. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Nabeel Qureshi, 2014. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. David and Paul Watson, 2014. Contagious Disciple Making. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Steve Smith with Ying Kai, 2011. T4T: A Discipleship ReRevolution. Monument: WigTake Resources. Paul E. Little, 1988. How to Give Away Your Faith. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. Timothy Beougher and Alvin Reed, 1995. Evangelism for a Changing World. Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers. Steve Sjogren, 2001. 101 Ways to Reach Your Community. Colorado Springs: NavPress. Rick Richardson, 2000. Evangelism Outside the Box. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. Paul Little, 1966. How to Give Away Your Faith. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. Paul Little, 1988. Know Why You Believe. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Jim Peterson, 1980. Evangelism As a Lifestyle. Colorado Springs: NavPress. Elmer Towns, 1991. Your Ministry of Evangelism. Wheaton: Evangelical Training Association. Joseph Aldrich, 1981. Lifestyle Evangelism. Portland: Multnomah Press. Robert Coleman, 1993. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Revell. Page 5