Discipleship in Community: Spiritual Formation and the Church

In this course we explore Christianity, its relation to faith and practice in contemporary culture, focusing on corporate spirituality as defined in the New Testament.

Course
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What is spirituality? How is it formed both in private and in community? This course explores the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relation to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts, giving special attention to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as defined in the New Testament. Lillis analyzes and discusses those historical and cultural factors that have led to the privatization of Christianity and develops a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the assembly rather than the individual.

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Discover the vintage value and relevance of these classic courses. Our instructors provide new insights into your faith through a variety of subjects. We acquired many of these courses from the Institute of Theological Studies (ITS). From ITS’s world-class professors, you'll gain seminary-level instruction.

Materials

Study Guide
  1. Understand the basic, biblical concept of spirituality as contrasted to contemporary ideas.
  2. Understand the basic mystic teachings of Christian spirituality, which have developed through the history of the church.
  3. Recognize the influences of mystical spirituality in contemporary ideas relating to spiritual formation.
  4. Understand the basic theological foundations of evangelical spirituality as these have developed through the history of the church.
  5. Develop a functional definition of spiritual formation.
  6. Recognize the impact of psychology on contemporary culture and spiritual formation.
  7. Understand the biblical concepts of spiritual maturity, spiritual growth, and love.
  8. Appreciate the corporate and community aspects of spiritual formation.
  9. Apply basic biblical concepts to the process of spiritual formation within his/her own life.
  10. Distinguish between the main traditions of spiritual formation.
  11. Appreciate the need for the spiritual disciplines in the development of spirituality.
  12. Understand the role of theological education in the spiritual formation of ministry students.
  13. Recognize the need for a personal value set that reflects loyalty and commitment to Christ over the enticements of the world, fesh, and devil.
  • An excellent course!

    — Russell
  • I have already recommended this course to three people who are pursuing a career in Ministry. This is essential and I am so glad I took this course.

    — Vera
  • Very thorough

    — Vicki

Course Content

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Lesson One
Lesson Two
Lesson Three
Lesson Four
Lesson Five
Lesson Six
Lesson Seven
Lesson Eight
Lesson Nine
Lesson Ten
Lesson Eleven
Lesson Twelve
Lesson Thirteen
Lesson Fourteen
Lesson Fifteen
Lesson Sixteen
Lesson Seventeen
Lesson Eighteen
Lesson Nineteen
Lesson Twenty
Lesson Twenty-One
Lesson Twenty-Two
Lesson Twenty-Three
Lesson Twenty-Four
Course Wrap-Up
Lesson Content
0% Complete 0/2 Steps
Disciple Level
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Course Details

  • High Effort
  • 24 Lessons
  • 43 Min Average Lecture
  • Course Award

Course Resources

Audios
Lecturer

John R. Lillis, PhD

Course Provider

ITS

Course content is provided courtesy of Institute of Theological Studies (ITS).