Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando, FL 02PT704: A Life and Ministry of Prayer Fall Semester 2016 J. Ligon Duncan III Thursdays, 8:00 AM 9:55 AM Course Description One of the glaring weaknesses of the Western church is its powerlessness and prayerlessness. At the same time, survey after survey shows that people are interested in prayer but lack practical instruction. This two-hour class will focus on the basics of developing a life and ministry of prayer. It will not only focus on the importance of prayer, but on prayer related topics, readings, and disciplines. And yes, we will spend time praying in class. It is hoped that you will also establish disciplines of prayer. There will be no tests in this class. The class grade will be based on attendance, the prayers you compose, class participation, and doing the required readings and discussing them. Course Objectives 1. To acquaint the student with the importance of prayer, prayer related topics, readings, and disciplines. 2. To cultivate in each student the practice of prayer in present and future life and ministry. Contact Information Professor: Rev. J. Ligon Duncan III, PhD Campus Office: 601.923.1656 and Ext 1656 Executive Assistant: Jan Hyde Contact Jan to set up an appointment to discuss matters related to this course or future ministry. Teaching Assistant: Jonathan Hunt jhunt2@rts.edu Contact Jonathan with questions related to the details of this course, its assignments, or with Canvas. Class Lectures and Attendance Many of these sessions will be in the form of seminars, to facilitate classroom discussion. Attendance, therefore, is an absolute requirement. Given the huge amount of material we have to cover and the relative scarcity of classroom hours, attendance will be at a premium and, of course, to the benefit of the student. My TA will take roll at every class. If you need to miss a class or to leave early or to arrive late, you should seek permission (via my TA, my EA or myself). Failure to attend class, or to engage while in the class, will be noted. No unexplained absences. A. Course Reading Assignments 1. Required Texts: J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer (Banner of Truth) Tim Keller, Prayer (Viking) D. A. Carson, Praying with Paul (Baker Academic) Matthew Henry/O. Palmer Robertson, A Way to Pray (Banner of Truth) David B. Calhoun, Prayers on the Psalms (Banner of Truth) The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett, (Banner of Truth)
PT704 Syllabus Page 2 2. Recommended A Method for Prayer, Mathew Henry (Christian Focus) A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World, Paul Miller (NavPress) Power Through Prayer, E. M. Bounds (various publishers) Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer, Joel Beeke (RHB) The Book of Common Prayer B. Requirements 1. Written Prayers. (40%) The practice of extemporary praying is a good one and one for which our Puritan and Presbyterian forefathers fought hard to maintain. But even these traditions called for what they termed studied prayers : prayers that had been planned and thought through and then delivered without notes. Please follow this format exactly: Font size 10, Times New Roman, single spaced, 1/2 margins. One page exactly (no more, no less). Prayers must be submitted via Canvas on the date listed below. How should I go about writing these prayers? (from Derek Thomas) I suggest you take a Psalm and meditate on it. Then begin to formulate the ideas and word structures of the psalm, adapting them for suitability in 20 th century parlance. Follow the order of thought in the psalm where appropriate. Grading someone s prayers poses some problems. Still, a measure of objectivity will be attempted. Grading will depend on such things as style, wording, biblical content, structure. Although I haven t made these required texts, I do recommend that you purchase the following books to help you in public prayer. They will prove to be invaluable to most of you. Hughes Oliphant Old, Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Worship. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1995 Terry L. Johnson, Leading in Worship. Oak Ridge, TN: The Covenant Foundation, 1996 C. H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon s Prayers. Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1993 Mathew Henry, A Method for Prayer. Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1993 2. Prayer Journal. (30%) The student will create a prayer journal to keep track of the following areas: 1.) Adoration 2.) Confession 3.) Thanksgiving 4.) Supplication 3. Reading Discussion and Report. (30%) The student s participation in class discussion of the required reading will be graded, as will be a reading report submitted at the end of the term. Collection of Assignments Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are to be submitted via the appropriate Canvas upload link.
PT704 Syllabus Page 3 Late Work Students should make every effort to turn in work on time or early. In the rare case of medical or other providential emergency, extensions and/or alternative arrangements may be granted. In most cases, late assignments will be accepted but penalized one letter grade per day. Please make these arrangements with the TA as soon as possible.
PT704 Syllabus Page 4 Course Outline and Assignment Schedule Listed below are the dates and topics and weekly assignment timetable/due dates for our course. Please factor these into to your term calendar now! Class Schedule Class will meet the following dates: September 1 No Class September 8 No Class September 15 Theology of Prayer; Discuss Ryle September 22 Theology of Prayer; Discuss Keller, Part One September 29 Theology of Prayer; Discuss Keller, Part Two October 6 Theology of Prayer; Discuss Carson October 13 Public Prayer; Discuss Henry/Robertson October 27 Private Prayer; Discuss Henry/Robertson November 3 Family Prayer; Discuss Calhoun/Scottish Prayers November 10 The Practice of Prayer; Discuss Valley of Vision November 17 The Practice of Prayer; Discuss Keller, Part Three December 1 The Practice of Prayer; Discuss Keller, Part Four December 8 The Practice of Prayer; Discuss Keller, Part Five Due Dates Summary All assignments are due the dates posted below. Assignments received after this time will be considered late and penalized accordingly (up to 1 letter grade per day). Assignments are not to be emailed to the TA, but rather uploaded to Canvas in pdf format. 1. September 22, 2016 Prayer 1 Adoration 2. September 29, 2016 Prayer 2 Justification 3. October 6, 2016 Prayer 3 Confession of Sin 4. October 13, 2016 Prayer 4 Adoption 5. October 27, 2016 Prayer 5 Thanksgiving 6. November 3, 2016 Prayer 6 Sanctification 7. November 10, 2016 Prayer 7 Supplication 8. November 17, 2016 Prayer 8 Pastoral Prayer 10. December 1, 2016 Prayer 9 Imprecatory 11. December 8, 2016 Prayer 10 Prayer at a funeral of a Christian 12. December 14, 2016 Prayer Journal and Reading Report due Edited: 08/23/2016 2:00 PM
PT704 Syllabus Page 5 Course Objectives Related to MDiv Student Learning Outcomes With Mini-Justification Course: A Life and Ministry of Prayer Professor: Rev. Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III Campus: Orlando Date: Fall 2016 Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology MDiv Student Learning Outcomes Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Rubric Strong Moderate Minimal None Mini-Justification Class time will revolve around lectures, discussion, and prayer. Students will articulate their reflections in prayer journals. Scripture will be a key focus of the class, focusing on psalms, the Lord s prayer, and John 17, as well as practices of praying Scripture. While other traditions will be included, the reading and approach of the class is stepped in a Reformed understanding of prayer. Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. Class material and readings will promote a lifestyle of prayer and dependence on God. Desire for Worldview Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. The course will present the challenge od viewing the Christian life and ministry as one bathed in prayer. Winsomely Reformed/ Evangelistic Preach Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. moderate A lifestyle of prayer promotes humility, dependence, and repentance in all of life. The class will emphasize the integral connection between reading, teaching, and prayer Worship Shepherd Church/World Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. moderate While the theme of the whole class centers around personal worship and prayer, an entire class will also center on prayer in the corporate worship experience. Students will learn how to better shepherd their brothers and sisters through prayer. Prayer for the global Church, as well as a breadth of prayer traditions will be emphasized.